knocked up and nursing, my thoughts…
This week I’m 12 weeks along with baby number 2. Kolt is still nursing, although right now it’s just mostly before nap time, before bedtime, and during the night. Up until a few weeks ago I was ago with this. Enter: SORE NIPPLES! I can deal with the short sessions of nursing before nap time and before bedtime. But the nights when Kolt wants to nurse CONSTANTLY is not enjoyable. Sitting here telling you that I’m not enjoying an aspect of nursing is harder for me than I thought. But the truth is, those sleepless night of tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable while Kolt wants to nurse are making me thinking about night weaning. I almost feel selfish putting my own needs before his. But I feel like I can’t be the kind of mother Kolt needs during the day if I’m not getting sufficient rest during the night. I know at this point, Kolt doesn’t wake up during the night because of nutrition. Rather, he stirs to latch, comfort nurse, and settle back into sleep. And the worst thing about it is that his latch gets lazy when he’s asleep and that only worsens the discomfort.
I’ve been trying a few different things to help gently encourage Kolt to limit his nighttime nursing sessions.
1. Limit Access. After I nurse, I put Kolt back in his area. We have his crib, sidecar style next to our bed. This lack of close proximity doesn’t encourage more frequent nursing. I also try to wear clothing that makes it harder for Kolt sneak latch during the night when I’m sound asleep.
2. Increase daytime contact. Sometimes toddlers will seek out the breast more at night when they aren’t getting enough close cuddling during the day. Sitting down and cuddling with Kolt isn’t really and option. All he wants to do then, is nurse. But I do try to give him extra attention and time during the day to make sure his needs are being met in other ways.
3. Talk to your child. With an older child (over 18 months), they can certainly understand what you are saying. I try to explain the situation to Kolt. I tell him that hurts mommy or that we can nurse later.
4. Substitute other comfort measures. I have been trying other things to help Kolt settle. We have been working on falling asleep without nursing, which is going great! He loves reading, listening to soft music, back rubs, and mommy singing to him!
I’ll be sure to keep you updated on our progress! Did you night wean your munchkin? I’d love to hear about your experiences!
My name is Marah. I am a recently single, twenty-four year old, stay at home mom and aspiring photographer. I’m a breastfeeding, cloth diapering, baby wearing, attachment parenting, co-sleeping, semi-crunchy kind of mama to Kolt, born December 6, 2009. I’m now knocked up with baby #2, a girl, due to arrive around February 27, 2012, and still nursing Kolt.
6 Comments
Rachel N
16 Aug 2011 07:08 pm
I feel your pain! When I got pregnant with my second, nursing my first became unbearable. Luckily, he was never a comfort nurser, he did it purely for the food so he wasn’t upset when I weaned him. I also got him attatched to a little blanket lovie so he would have something to soothe him at night. And the routine of diaper/pj’s/ and story works really well to get him ready for bed. Good luck!
Mary
17 Aug 2011 09:08 am
I’m nursing through my second pregnancy now and all I can say is my sore nipples did start to feel better in my last trimester! I’ve lost my milk, it doesn’t sound like you have though, good luck! It isn’t easy, but for me it is so rewarding to know I have met my child’s needs despite another baby! :)
Hana
29 Aug 2011 01:08 am
I am totally a pro bf woman. My daughter was formula fed from 3 months on up. I stopped breast feeding because I’m an active duty Marine…I was on recruiting duty…my husband’s active duty…and It got so overwhelming to find time to pump at work and deal with leaking boobs in uniform (SO EMBARRASSING!!!!!!). I dealt with so much guilt when I stopped…I ended up in therapy cause I was convinced I was a horrible mom. But I learned that as a mom…you have to just go with your instincts and as long as in your heart, you have your child’s best interest at heart and YOURS too….it will be ok :-)
Whitney
01 Sep 2011 12:09 pm
I am not pregnant but working on eliminating all the day time feedings for my busy 16 month old. He is catching on rather quickly. For us the trick is keeping the blanket out of sight, if he sees that, it’s all over! Good luck to you!
22 weeks to a family of 4… | Diary of a Devil Dog Wife
27 Sep 2011 05:09 pm
[...] Breastfeeding Blog Hop topic is night weaning, so be sure to check back Thursday to see how night weaning is gong for [...]
night weaning: an update. | Diary of a Devil Dog Wife
29 Sep 2011 08:09 am
[...] few weeks ago I shared with all of you my struggles and concerns with Kolt still nursing during the night. I did a lot of research and read a lot of articles about night weaning. I wanted to ensure that I [...]
Leave a Comment