The Joys of Breastfeeding a Toddler #6

May 14th, 2010 by Dionna | 7 Comments
Posted in Breastfeeding/Lactivism, Feed with Love and Respect, Guest Posts, Joys of Breastfeeding Past Infancy

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I am so happy to welcome Sue from Midlands, England, who has shared a story about one of her greatest joys in breastfeeding her now 27 month old toddler. Sue knew nothing about children until she had one herself. She loves reading parenting books and message boards and overanalyses everything in her quest to be a “good parent”.  When her baby was three months old, she trained as a breast-feeding peer supporter and spent time volunteering at a baby cafe. Sue now works part-time and, alas, still sleeps part-time. Here is her breastfeeding guest post:

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Rather than share a story, I want to give you a few glimpses into the life of my nursing toddler. A toddler’s blossoming language skills and creativity are a neverending source of joy!

  • My toddler can now ask for “boob” and “more boob”.  Why didn’t we use a more discreet word! She does the usual hand-down-top maneuver, trying to get them out in public. Sometimes she just asks for a “look.” Sometimes I feel she only wants me for one thing (or two things).
  • She points to the side she wants and says “that one”.
  • She frequently asks me to feed her favourite cuddly toy on the other side(tandem feeding with a difference).
  • When she has had enough, she tells me to put them away with “boob home” and usually helps me back into my bra/vest top.
  • If I’m ever getting dressed in front of her she insists on coming over to kiss each breast and usually has a sneaky feed at the same time, so if I’m in a hurry in the morning I have to dress/undress out of her sight.
  • Sometimes when she’s feeding, she asks me to sing. Sometimes she looks up at me, nipple in mouth and repeats the cute refrain “happy mummy,” “happy daddy,” “happy (her name), “happy boobs”.

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Breastfeeding a toddler is full of laughter, joys, and heartbreaking tenderness. I am publishing a series of posts dedicated to the beauty of nursing toddlers in an effort to normalize this healthy and beneficial nursing relationship.

But this isn’t just about me – I want to hear YOUR joys. If you are nursing a toddler (or have in the past), please contact me and tell me about your favorite moments. I will include them in the series and credit you, your site, or post it anonymously if you so desire.

7 Responses to:
"The Joys of Breastfeeding a Toddler #6"

  1. the Grumbles   
    May-14-10 at 10:40 am

    Back in their “home”! Isn’t that charming!

  2. Janet
    May-14-10 at 5:38 pm

    I don’t think my nearly 4 year old qualifies as a “toddler” but breastfeeding has become more fun for us both over the years and I can’t imagine parenting without it!

  3. Acacia
    May-15-10 at 8:51 pm

    That is adorable!

  4. Melodie   
    May-16-10 at 12:34 am

    So cute! I like putting the boobs back home. I wish my sweetie was so considerate. She likes to just leave them hanging and let me do all the work! :)

  5. Dionna   
    May-16-10 at 1:04 pm

    Thanks again for sharing, Sue – I love all of these, especially the sneak nursing, Kieran does that too :)

  6. Jen   
    May-17-10 at 12:06 am

    Nicholas has “na-na” and “other na-na”. Ironically, the exact same name his sister used…and each thought it up on his/her own!

  7. alicia
    May-17-10 at 9:51 am

    So cute! I’ve always said that my rule is, if they can ask for it, it’s time to quit. My first two boys, weened themselves at 12 months. My third, is still nursing at 16 months. He doesn’t yet ask for it, but I think my rule may have flown out the door. We recently took a decline in feeding and now only feed about once a day. I thought about stopping it all together, but I realized I’m not ready. He still enjoys it, as do I.

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