My son still nurses a lot especially at betime. What is the best way to stop this?

Question

He also hit me really hard when he is frustrated and for a 2 year old we understand each other pretty good. He needs to know he isn't suppose to hit me. What do I do? Please help.

Answer 1

he can't nurse if you don't let him. it IS that simple. break him soon, PLEASE he is getting a little old for that.
try making him sit in a naughty chair or steps or something like that. don't use his bed as a bad place because the connection will always be there. make him stay 1 min for every year, so 2 min. or just ignore him when he does hit you, he probably get a response for doing, so by not responding he isn't getting what he wants.

Answer 2

Hitting? this isnt good. He is obviously frustrated about something and Im guessing that his communication isn't good at the moment but do not underestimate how much he can understand. He needs to realise that it is normal to feel frustrated about things but it is not ok to hit you. When he has hit you, you need to put him in a quiet place and ignor him, he may follow you about and try to get your attention by doing something else that he knows he shouldn't, but be persistant and keep putting him back. when he has calmed down you can tell him he mustn't hit mummy. He will eventually get the message that if he hits mummy, mummy wont talk to him. Meanwhile keep a note on when he is getting frustrated, is it the same time of day? is it during a regular activity like shopping, nappy changing or mummy time? This will give you a better idea on how to avoid tantrums.

Feeding - persistance, again the same as above realy, unless your child has been through some sort of changes in the last couple of months such as family background changes, moving house, illness etc, then it is probably more of a controlling thing for him. He can still control what his mummy does as long as he still has the nightly feeds. You need to keep to the bedtime routine but instead of giving him booby, give him a cup of cows/soya milk(provided there are no intolerances). If he refuses it he goes without. There are no nutritional reasons why he should need that drink before bed. Then its a battle of the wills, he will cry, he will have temper tantrums but persevere. At 2 years old your child should be getting all his nutriants from his food, there should be no need for milk during the day. night time milk is mainly just for calming and routine reasons.
I hope this helps, good luck.

Answer 3

I agree with the previous post, he is not to old to be nursing and it is a great way to add transition and comfort to a toddler. If both you and him are comfortable with the nursing situation contiue on, he will wean himself when he is ready.

If you are wanting to stop I would do so slowly, cutting a toddler off a routine can be very rough and tramitic. We are currently cutting out one feeding every few weeks or so with my duaghter who is the same age. Just pick on and start distracting them with a snack or a favorite toy when it gets close to that time and a few weeks they won't miss and you can move on to skipping another one.

Just so you know the last one that is most likely to disappear is the one before bed, this is probaly his favorite and a great way to calm down and transition to bed time. I would suggest getting a nice calming routine down now (what ever works best for you and son) and then when it comes time to wean him off his bedtime nurse he will be comforted in other ways.

As far as hitting goes, most toddlers hit as a way to get out frustration and will more likely hit someone they trust because there is a bond there. I when he starts to get frusterated try to fend it off by distracting him with something else, or if it goes to far give him something he can take is frustration out on like a ball or one of those toys where they hit the pags with a hammer.

I have also heard that putting him down and telling him it hurts Mommy when you hit her works, too. It won't work the first time, but persistence is key. You can also get him a book that is entitled "Hands are not for hitting" we got one about bitting and it worked miricales.

Good Luck

Answer 4

I think you need to ignore all of the stupid people telling you your son is too old to nurse. He is not. If you're both still happy doing it, then keep it up. If not, then try reading "How Weaning Happens" by Diane Bengson. It gives some great ideas in there.

Additionally, as for the hitting, my son hit me too when he was young. I used to tell him that it wasn't nice and wasn't allowed to hit me. If I was holding him, I'd put him down and walk away so he'd know that hitting hurts people's feelings.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I think you need to be very calm and gentle with him. Tell him that he mustn't hit Mummy or she will get very upset. Has he got a favourite soft toy? You could use this to distract him. When he gets angry just pretend the toy is talking to him and say that it gets upset when you shout and hit Mummy. Then you must quickly focus on something to take his mind off what was upsetting him. Just try to stay calm, I'm sure he will grow out of this stage (the terrible two's!) Ask your husband/partner to help you. As for nursing him, I think you will need to talk to your practice nurse (in the GP's surgery) or your health adviser. Good Luck.♥

Answer 6

Wean him off the breast girl, he is too old to still be breatfeeding. Put him on a sippy cup and tell him that he no longer gets the breast. He is two and they understand more than you think. As for hitting you, well you have to explain to him how much it hurts mommy when he hits and tell him to stop. If he doesn't stop than put him in a time out for 2 minutes (same as his age) then tell him every time he hits you that he will have to go and sit in time out.

Answer 7

He is a little old for nursing, just say no and stick to it, a few sleepless nights and it will all be over if you stick to it. As for the hitting, he needs to know that you don't like that, I use time out for my daughter have been since she was 2 works a treat, must remember to explain why they are going to time out though, even if you think they are not listening, and also make him apologise when he comes out of time out, my daughter gives me a cuddle and says she is sorry after hers, then thats it dealt with and we move on until the next naughty thing, used this method with all 4 of my children and think it is the best way forward, as they can time out where ever they are!! She has been doing time out for just over a year now, and at first there were about 20 a day, but now, probably only 3 so it definately works, for me anyway.

Answer 8

Express milk into a cup - he needs to use that from now on and if he hits you take him aside and sit him down until he calms down let him know it is wrong if that doesn't work try putting a favorite toy on time out (10 minutes or so) explaining that he will get it back when he calms down and promises not to hit. Once he is calm give him a pillow and explain that when he needs to hit something the pillow is better because it will feel no pain and nor will he be punished.

Answer 9

When putting him to bed give him a bottle with step up baby milk in it and pull on a high neck top. If the wee one tugs take his hand away and firmly tell him no he has had enough milk, mummy has none left!
Persist and this will work! Remember to wear a top that he cant get access to.
Good Luck x

Answer 10

For the nursing problem.... I'd say probably a bit of "tough love", and simply don't let him do it, and he'll eventually get used to no longer doing it...... give him a soft toy + a drinks container instead.

For the hitting, I think that's just a phase........ my cousin's youngest daughter went through a phase where she'd headbutt her Mum, and laugh 'cos she thought it was funny (I've heard of other people's kids doing this too).
But to stop the hitting, I suggest gently "play wrestling" with him, and hug your arms round him so he can't get at you with his arms 'til he calms down (and to show him he'll never win against you)......... then tickle him to death.

Answer 11

Tell him no, if he hits you put him in his cot "no hitting mummy". And walk away. Come in 5 mins later and pick him up and bring him out to play. every time he hits you, 5 mins cot time.

At night - if you want to wean him just tell him - today your a big boy so you don't need milk anymore. And give him a cu of water and then put him in his cot and walk away. They get the message quickly if your not there to listen to the crying display.