I breast fed my daughter until she was a year old (then switched to whole milk) but ever since I weaned her from the breast she will stick her hand down my shirt and play with my nipple. She usually only does it when she's upset, sick, or ready for a nap or bedtime. I think she does it for comfort (remindes her of when she breast fed). But its kinda embarassing when she does it in public but she will cry (poke out her bottom lip and the tears will start flowing, cute & sad @ the same time lol) and stick it right back in there. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions on how to break her from this??
(BTW she also will do it to both grandmas & a couple of my friends & even her daddy lol) Thanks!
2007-12-08 14:10:53 · 30 answers · asked by *Mrs. Barberich since 11/02/08* 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
umm my daughter didn't want her pacie since she was 2 weeks old. I don't want her having one now...
2007-12-08 14:22:04 · update #1
I can understand how this would be embarrassing but think of how your daughter feels. For 12 months she had full access to the only thing that really comforted her in life and now your saying nope no more you cant have it...that would be like you having a loved one, say your own mother, taken from you and being told you can never see her again. I think i would try to get her to associate something else with your breast instead of just telling her no. For example a blanket, then every time she goes for a breast have the blanket there as well. If your lucky she will begin to see that blanket means comfort too. If the blanket doesn't work trying a small stuffed animal and so on till you find the item that does work. I would not suggest just saying no and hoping she understand. While she is old enough to understand some things having something so important to her taken away could be very traumatic. Another thing you could try would be to just deal till she isn't interested anymore and yes that time will come...when shes more interested in playing with toys and other kids she wont care where mom's breast is.
2007-12-08 14:26:48 · answer #1 · answered by urban_angel1985x 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
She is definitely doing it as a comfort tool. All you can do is keep removing her hand, telling her you don't want her to do that. Give it a couple of kisses, and steer it in another direction. You will have to be consistent, no matter how upset she gets. You can also try putting something she likes in that hand. Her favorite blankey, doll, etc. This will help keep her hand occupied. Tell Grandma and your friends to do the same thing. She will eventually learn not to do it.
2007-12-08 14:21:07 · answer #2 · answered by sarlha 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Personal opinion.... firmly tell her 'no' and remove her hand. Any child that age will cry when they can't have what they want, but once they know you aren't going to give in, it will be over with. I don't think it has anything to do with feeding, but either way, certain behaviors are acceptable or they're not. When she's a little older you will be teaching her that no one has the right to fondle her 'privates', so I wouldn't confuse the issue by allowing her to fondle you. I imagine I would feel a bit odd allowing my child to do that (raised 3). Either way, wish you the best... it sure is a fun age.
2007-12-08 14:19:24 · answer #3 · answered by Dulos 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Your breasts were her main source of comfort for a year. She knows them to be soothing and is trying to comfort herself when she rubs them. My 1 year old does the exact same thing.
Just take her hand out of your shirt and firmly tell her "No." Try to redirect her attention elsewhere. Don't get angry; she's just trying to comfort herself.
2007-12-08 15:59:39 · answer #4 · answered by Umma K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tell her no as you most likely have. Dress in something that makes your breasts more inaccessible, like a sweatshirt or sweater. She will grow out of this, meanwhile you must endure this annoying/humorous behavior.
2007-12-08 15:06:42 · answer #5 · answered by Charles S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just keep being consistant and not let her do it at all. If you let her do it in private, she will expect to have her way in public. She dont know the difference. Maybe try a pacifier but that s a whole new problem down the road.
2007-12-08 14:15:38 · answer #6 · answered by tigerbaby99 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Thats to funny....my son does the same thing! He's 18months and i had to stop breastfeeding at 4months old...so he just does it!! Says "boobs" and laughs....but i just tell him "yuckies!" alot...he usually stops...or i direct his attention to his "Belly" or "nose"...or a toy...good luck....
PS....When i go potty he points and says "PP" its embarassing when we are in public bathrooms...but im proud he smart enough to know more then 10 body parts so im not to worried....
2007-12-08 14:28:00 · answer #7 · answered by ~Mrs Ali~ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're just going to have to endure her crying and pouting awhile until she realizes that she can't just play with people's nipples whenever she wants to. You agree that you need to teach her that?
So, just don't let her do it anymore. She will get over it. She's be upset and eventually she just be really mad and soon enough she'll be done with it once she realizes that people don't want her to do that.
2007-12-08 14:22:50 · answer #8 · answered by ∞ sky3000 ∞ 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I think you are right in that it IS a breastfeeding thing. My 19 month old does it too, but like a previous answerer, he still nurses. he does it when he is askign for the other breast, perhaps your daughter is asking to nurse. She probably still remembers.
2007-12-08 14:25:04 · answer #9 · answered by Betsy 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
its total comfort. I breast fed my daughter longer but she did this same thing. But she only did it with me.LOL
2007-12-08 15:33:58 · answer #10 · answered by anjelahoy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋