Comfort nursing

[NoelleChristine]

Since our trans Atlantic flight back to the States I've noticed G wanting some comfort nursing.  He's never really needed this or wanted this before.  I'm not sure if it's due to the trip, or due to his age and it just coincided with the trip. 

It's actually calmed quite a bit since we first got here and I'm no longer offering the breast when he does the "turning into me baby bird seeking thing."  He hasn't tried lifting my shirt yet.  The first week we were here I was pretty relaxed about it and would let him nurse whenever he wanted to (which was often) but, like I said, I'm not doing that anymore.

I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what did you do?  I sure don't want to head backwards with regards to the number of feeds we do each day.

Also, he's going to turn 1 while we are here and I was planning on dropping the two day feeds (over a two week period) but keeping the morning and night until we are home and back into a routine which will be when he's about 14 mo.  I have a major switch of the breast being as much of a comfort for him as it is nourishing since being here and I want the weaning to be a joy and not traumatic, for either of us.

Just looking for thoughts or sharing of experiences on that one.

Thanks bunches!

N~

[RachelC]

I don't have that experience... but I would suggest using distraction.  When he seems to be going for the feed, scoop him up and find something really cool to do 

What is your ideal routine, and what is the routine now?

[Samuel's mum]

I think if you plan on weaning as you do then distraction is a really useful tool as Rachel says. That and anticipation i.e. does asking come at certain times, in certain places? And can you sense a twinkle in his eye just before an 'ask' so that the super cool suggestion comes before an 'ask' rather than before.
Obviously offering physical closeness in other ways is important. I remember someone telling me about the super extra special squeezy mummy hugs that they introduced just before they were weaning and how they were talked about explicitly and sometimes mummy asked for them and sometimes the nursling.
At this age the novelty of 'asking' sometimes has something to do with it. They are really grasping the power of communication and how this can give them control over their world. It sometimes works to give something else to ask for e.g. a special cup and over a couple of days 'label' it clearly and encourage him to ask for it.

[NoelleChristine]

What is your ideal routine, and what is the routine now?

We're on a pretty good routine now (except for his nw's) but during the day it's this:

6:00 ish wake and nurse
6:30 - 7:00 breakfast
9:30-10:00 down for nap
11:30 wake and nurse
12:00-12:30 lunch
2:30 - 3:00 down for nap
4:00 wake and nurse
5:00 small snack
5:30 - 6:00 dinner
6:30 bath
nurse and in bed by 7:00

Of course it's never this "perfect" but the routine's the same.  We've always had NWing issues which I've been able to keep under some control but they've reared their ugly head again since our travels as well.

But for instance this morning, after breakfast we were playing on the floor and he crawls to be held and then turns into me to nurse.  He couldn't have been hungry, but he wanted to nurse anyway.  But the day before we had no instances, so to answer your question Emma, no, it happens at different times.  I can see it coming though 'cause he'll usually crawl over and want a cuddle.  I think I just need to give him some extra special cuddle time with mommy throughout the day. 

I guess I just wondered what other mummy/mommy's did when their lo does that.  I'm torn because it's so precious and sweet to have him do that and my first instinct is to just let him nurse, what harm can it do?  But then, especially when I'm nursing him multiple times in the night I'm thinking that at the 1 year mark, I'm going to be ready to wean.  And we'll have to wait to fully wean anyway as I don't want to wean him and then expect him to get through 16+ hours of travel so he'll be 13.5 months before I'd start to fully wean anyway.

If those NWing's would just stop it would be so perfect.

I like the cup idea and had thought about that when it comes time.  And encouraging him to "ask" that's a great way to do it.  It gives me ways to help him through this and give him what control during this whole process that I can give.  Honestly, I'm in tears now thinking about this whole weaning thing.  Part of me is looking forward to the next chapter and the other part is torn up about it.  Oy...it's so hard!

Sorry for the ramble...I just needed to get it out I guess and seeing him really be comforted with nursing has thrown a new dynamic into the whole thing.

Thanks for listening.

[Samuel's mum]

HUGE hugs.
This may be a phase associated with being in an unfamiliar environment. You have to do what feels right for you in the long-term and that is the kindness thing for all of you.

[NoelleChristine]

  Thanks