Seriously!!!! I stopped breastfeeding him 5 months ago and ever since he wants to touch them all the time. It happens in public and at home, whenever he wants. Sometimes he won't go to sleep unless he has his hand down my shirt. This is a serious problem, I asked my doc and she said to "gently tell him no" and take his hand out of my blouse. I'm trying to stay diligent on doing this, sometimes he screams when he doesn't get to.
2006-09-02 19:33:56 · 24 answers · asked by Melissa 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
it sounds like your toddler has found your breasts to be a point of security.It makes him feel safe,in the same way a child attaches them self to a pacifier or blanket.I can understand you feel embarrassed.But your doing the best thing by telling him no,I would begin telling him no firmly,and just ignore him when he cries about it.Eventually if you don't give in,the child will outgrow it.
It is important that everyone here realizes this is not sexual,only society has sexualized the breast otherwise its perfectly normal for a child to have this kind of behavior.I'm disgusted with all the answerer's saying he will grow up to be a womanizer that is totally disgusting,shameful and wrong.He is just a pure and innocent child with absolutely no mind for that sort of thing..HOW DARE U people!
2006-09-02 19:37:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Very normal! He sees your breasts as a sense of comfort. It's probably also relaxing to him. He's probably remembering how much he liked nursing. Might even be a sign that nursing ended before he was really ready. Not at all sexual, even if it is making you uncomfortable. It may feel like "a serious problem" right now, but it is something that he will outgrow.
Can you gently redirect the behaviour? Like would you be more comfortable with him putting his hand on your breast outside your shirt and patting you? Or could you give him intesne and loving eye contact and redirect his hand to your face or hair? Or have you tried introducing a "lovey" type object like a special blanket or stuffed animal at this point?
The link below is actually directed at moms who are still nursing toddlers, but it might still be helpful in redirecting his behaviour.
2006-09-03 05:46:24 · answer #2 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My son got like that when my daughter was being breastfed. He would wait until I put her down, and climb on up in my lap, and start the touchy feely. I think he was a little jealous, because that used to be his spot. But if you don't have another baby, then he's just a little bit spoiled, because he is used to doing that. Just keep on correcting him, and have something else to replace that closeness that he apparently misses. It could be a cartoon dvd, my son loved Alladin, plus he saw it so much that he memorized it, or it could be a song and dance time with just the two of you. Make it something special, and it will help take his mind off of breastfeeding dependency.
It really is a common problem, but he'll be just fine.
2006-09-02 19:48:55 · answer #3 · answered by classyjazzcreations 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Good question. The real problem, of course, isn't what he's doing but how other people look at you when he does.
You have to realize that he's really not doing anything wrong, and since you breastfed him (good for you, by the way), your breasts make him feel safe and secure.
Try helping him to transition with an "inside/outside" rule. He is not allowed to do it outside the house, and he'll be corrected when he does. Inside the house is okay (for now). As he gets older, especially when he starts to learn about his own body, you can make an analogy between his body and yours. Just like no one is allowed to touch his private places, he isn't allowed to touch yours. He'll leave your breasts alone, like his pacifier or other object, when he outgrows the need for them and moves on by himself.
Most of all, remember that despite the embarassment, he's really expressing a lot of love for you. And I think we all know what happens to guys who don't get the chance to naturally leave breasts behind.
2006-09-02 19:42:16 · answer #4 · answered by Johnny Tezca 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I agree with advisor. I too have the same problem and its been going on for a year with my son since I stoped breastfeeding him and now hes 3! and his obsession isnt just my breast but my mothers and my mother in laws as well. They way I got him to stop the nite time is by having him sleep in his own bed on sleeping on my stomach so he cant get to them but it never fails in public he will tell me they are his and get mad if I remove his hand! just know your not alone :((
2006-09-05 01:00:52 · answer #5 · answered by Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Mom2two Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
while you're into taking him someplace and he's familiar with no, I consistently used to take my little female to Chuck E. Cheese after breakfast (they open at 9AM, and no college youngsters are there)and go away in the previous lunch, then we would go abode, or to an indoor picnic pavillion on the park for a picnic. they are in a position to climb, run, and play there for no money in case you tell them earlier than time, or they have some toddler rides, and that does no longer even cost you $5. I additionally might take her to Toys R Us, and merely enable her play with issues there, maximum have like a prepare table set out, or issues like that. additionally, our community libraries have toddler tale time for approximately an hour or so a week. additionally, some action picture theaters have specials for youthful youngsters on a definite day of the week. We additionally can get like a focused visitor pass for the YMCA for a week or so and take them swimming, and to play contained in the wellbeing midsection (perfect while the vast youngsters are at school). additionally, a great style of hearth stations and issues enable you to take a excursion, and my daughter loves that b/c her uncle is a firefighter. those are some innovations for outdoors your place, desire it facilitates!
2016-09-30 07:18:09 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the doc, but I'd use a more forceful voice. At that age he may not understand the word no, but your tone of voice will slow him down. Stay firm, New Mom, this is just the first of many battles. Happy parenting.
2006-09-02 19:38:28 · answer #7 · answered by honneebee68 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
this is completely normal and a child shouldn't be harshly disciplined for it! I breastfed my son until 14 months and he didn't care about my breasts after that at all (he weaned himself) until I started nursing my daughter who is now six months old. Then of course he got all curious and wants to see them, etc. I just explain to him that they are for "mommy milk" only, which is what he calls breastmilk, then he understands that it's okay for her to touch them and not him, because he eats "big boy" food. Also it helps explaining that it is a private place, because your son is probably starting to understand that concept. Just like he has private places that he keeps covered, so do you. Hope that helps!
2006-09-02 19:57:26 · answer #8 · answered by mommy2two 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am sure its like a baby becomes attached to their bottle and it is their security. Being that you breastfed he became attached to your breast like a baba. Stay persistent in telling him no. Don't yell or make him feel like he is bad. As long as you continually say no, eventually he will stop. Either way he is going to grow out of it anyway.
2006-09-03 01:05:04 · answer #9 · answered by missymis 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He senses some form of security by this. You may need to sit him down and explain that this makes mommy feel funny, and he can't do it anymore. If he continues to do this, punishment of some form needs to be employed. Start with "time out", but if it gets worse, then some more serious action is needed. Otherwise, he'll go from mom's to some girl's, or worse, thinking it's ok. And, of course, it's not.
2006-09-02 22:57:40 · answer #10 · answered by Mudcat007 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋