1 yr old constant breastfeeding

[gueradeb]

Hi - just wanted to know if anyone has any opinions on this:  my daughter just turned one year old today.  For the past week she has been wanting to breastfeed CONSTANTLY - and at night if I let her she'll suck away for hours and peaceably sleep like that.  Is this just a temporary phase related to separation anxiety and I should just go with it for a bit or is a bad habit that I should nip?  She's a very happy, gregarious baby and eats solids well.

Thanks for any thoughts
-Debbie (Marica's mom)

[Samuel's mum]

Can you think of anything that may be different? Are there other changes going on or could she be teething or unwell?
As to whether it's a bad habit - that's a personal opinion.
On this site, among those following BW, most would feel it's unwise to let this particular habit form. She's using you as a comfort and at night is not learning how to sleep independently. In the long-term it could result in some difficult times. If you're not comfortable with it - I would nip it in the bud and try and break the nursing=comfort association.
On other websites - like mothering.com or breastfeeding.com for example - where 'attachment parenting' is the norm you'd be describing a common situation. Mothers there regularly co-sleep and nurse all night and wait for their babies to 'grow into' sleeping more independently. (could happen 3/4 years +) Tracy would probably say don't do it unless you're prepared for it to be permanent.

If you are not happy with it (and I'm guessing you're not?) you could have a look at the props board or this sticky to start.

https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=52857.0

[JacobMarksMummy]

Have there been any recent changes that may be making her feel insecure? As the above poster mentioned you can carry on as you are doing but I'd only recommend to do so if you are in it for the long haul as being consistent is the key to a happy child. It wouldnt be fair or easy on anyone if you decide in six months time  you've had enough. Have you read tracey's book? This would have great examples of babies using the breast for comfort to get themselves to sleep at night and how the best way to go about removing yourself as a prop. Does she use a dummy? I found when my DS started being demanding about having BM at night his dummy really helped to placate him until he fell back to sleep. It can be quite a long task if you co-sleep (as we do) but its doable and if a dummy is introduced you will have the task of removing that as a prop at some point. If you dont co-sleep then pu/pd is probally what will be recommended as sams mum say try posting on the props boards for more expert opinions 

[gueradeb]

Hi. Thanks for your replies.  The only thing it coincides with is her walking, which is why I thought it was maybe a separation anxiety thing - torn between wanting independence and scared of it.  Re:  all night niursing - we were at my sister in law's house so it was easier than to try to fight my way out of the mosquito net to get up with her.  I don't do that at night anymore and she's fine.  She still has no teeth and is healthy.
I just wanted peoples' opinions, because I wanted to start weaning her, but maybe it's better to wait until the phase is over?
Thanks for all your help - Debbie