My 2 year daughter doesn't stop breast feeding ?

Question

I used to breast feed her while lying on bed since she was 2 months, and she used to go to sleep easily.....but this has made her habitual of breast feed whenever she wants to go to sleep.....I am at my wits end trying to stop her from breast feeding since she is now throwing tantrums more and more and sometimes even biting the nipple while sucking (now she has grown many teeth).

Answer 1

In many cultures, children traditionally breastfeed until they are as old as five, but in America, breastfeeding ends at about age one, so your daughter may be ready for the change. You actually begin weaning your baby the very first time you offer her any food other than your milk. Weaning should be a process, rather than an event. Here is a really great article with step-by-step tips: http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/html/weaning.shtml

Best wishes,
~Tia~
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Answer 2

There is *no* better way to stop a tantrum than by breastfeeding. If she has a lot of tantrums, I would say it's *not* a good time to try weaning... Personally, I can't imagine parenting a toddler who doesn't nurse!!

Another thing to consider is that she *can't* bite while nursing. To nurse, she has to have her mouth relatively open and back on the breast; when she is biting, her mouth is in a different position. You can teach her (fairly easily) not to bite. Babies learn this quickly because mothers are very consistent in letting them know it is not acceptable!!

Breastfeeding is *not* a bad habit--unless you consider protecting your child from cancer, diabetes, and Crohn's Disease, among others, for her entire life a bad habit!! Don't wean her suddenly, and, if at all possible, don't wean her at all.

I would suggest you contact La Leche League for more help with nursing. (See sources section below.)

Answer 3

Thats a good idea from Carrie Z. Just take yourself on a holiday for a weekend - make it a long weekend. It may also give you time for your milk to go down. Without baby there you won't be tempted to feed her and bring in more milk.
It reminds me of a friend who's baby threw his bottle out the window in a tantrum, so his mum told him the bottle was gone for good, and that's how she weaned him off the bottle. Not that you'll be gone for good of course but its the 'absence of the object of desire' thing. Baby's soon adapt to something new. They're pretty much in survival mode for the first 2 or 3 years. Then you'll go home to this lovely little baby girl who hopefully will have learned that mummy is more than a canteen. Good luck.

Answer 4

There are some organizations that recommend breast feeding, on occasion, up to the age of five. While I wouldn't recommend that personally, there's nothing unusual about your daughter. You will continue to produce milk for as long as you allow her to continue nurse.

It may be the closeness and intimacy she's after more than the milk now that she's on solid foods. Try staging her off by offering her a sippy cup while holding and rocking her. You may even want to try it skin to skin for the first few times.

Those tantrums are caused by her wanting, but fearing, independence. They're normal. You're normal. It'll get better. *smiles*

Answer 5

Your husband needs to realize that your daughter is only imitating the most natural and healthy human behavior. It is very common for a child to imitate breast feeding if she sees it, either at home or out in the world. She knows it's nurturing and right, not something dirty to be ashamed of. You could make her a little blanket or shawl to use when feeding her teddy.

Answer 6

I understand your plight. My nephew was (2) before he was weaned and the only way his mom successfully did that was to take him to "Grannies" house 3 hours away and allow him to stay for the summer. One good thing about mother nature is that she allows the mothers milk to continue as long as the baby is suckling. By now, your daughter should have had a taste of "real" food, and her supply of mother's milk should have declined by now. I believe that she enjoys the closeness of you, your warmth and smell. Spend close up time with her cuddling (wihtout) allowing her to nurse. Then offer her a bottle if she will take it - or by now - a 'sippie cup'. Praise her when she does a good job completing her meals or finishing her milk from the sippie cup. Sing and plays games to help distract her. Once she disassociates your breast with food supply, she will stop the tantrums. Just love on her.

Answer 7

The problem is she won't stop until you make her. I heard yesterday of a child who is 4 and the mom is still breastfeeding her. She might throw alot of fits but if you stay calm and let her throw her fits she will finally realize it doesn't work. By age 2 she is big enough to sleep alone ( with attention of course.) You have to train her and not let her train you. Try letting her go to bed with a soft nipple sippy with milk. It works for lots of young kids. Good Luck.

Answer 8

When they get to the age when they want to start biting the nipple it's time to stop.Let her throw her fits,you are going to haf to listen to hollar becuz it's a habbit you should have broken a few months back.When my daughter started biting the nipples of her bottles they went right in the trash she was10 months and she got the little sippie cup she cried and cried for the first 3 or4 days especially at night be she got over it.Good luck mom!

Answer 9

I had a friend that had the same problem and I gave her this idea that worked. Put band aids over your nipples and when she comes tell her that you have a Boo Boo and cant feed her. She may be upset at first, but she will get used to it. Maybe also offer her a bottle instead. Good Luck!

Answer 10

I would have stopped as soon as they got their teeth. They say just let her throw tantrums don't pay attention and they will someday slow down to where she will have none. Try a Binky or reward her for not having to have it. She is old enough to not need it. She will get over it if you just take it away now. Be strong and don't give in to her. Good luck