Thought she weaned, but now she started again??

[BellaRosa8302]

Hi everyone! Looking for any advice/personal experience here.

I breastfed my DD for 32 months, and our last time breastfeeding had been January 14th (DD self weaned).

Well, 2 days ago, she asked to nurse. I was really caught off guard, because I had already made my peace with us being done. But... I have never denied her, so I let her... but I admit, I felt a little weird about it because it had been quite a while since the last time. She never asked yesterday, so I thought maybe it was a one off.

Well, this morning she asked again. Again, I didn't know what to say, so I tried saying, "Aren't you too big for those now?" and she looked sad, said no, and asked again. So, I let her.

On a side note, I'm 37 weeks pregnant...

Anyone have a toddler stop and then start up again like that? Before now, the longest we had gone was a week... but January 14th - February 27th is quite a jump....

Just when I was feeling pretty good about her self-weaning... I'm just not sure what to do now.

 

[noon_child]

Di you think it is to do with the new baby? Maybe not liking the idea of the baby getting to nurse when she doesn't anymore?

I think what you do depends on your own personal preferences, do you want to tandem feed, do you feel strongly about never refusing a bf request etc.

 

[BellaRosa8302]

I posted the same question in my extended breastfeeding support group on FB... apparently this is normal! I must say I'm surprised... I guess I've decided to kind of go with it & see what happens. If I can distract her into doing something else, I will, but if she insists, I'm not going to tell her no. And, I'm not going to offer. I don't think it has to do with the new baby... yet at least - because he's not here yet. In my other group, they said that it's possible she can smell that my colostrum is in & she stopped before because I was dry or maybe the taste wasn't as good as it used to be. She did tell me a few times that it was "yucky" right before (I thought) she had weaned.

Anyway, thank you for your support

 

[Marumi]

What you were told in the extended bf group is absolutely correct. Your milk changed, she wasn't as interested and when your body started making new milk she smelled it.

The same happened with my son though he dry nursed once a day for a short moment. Ever since my supply went up he is crazy about the milkies. He says he can actually smell it and that the baby is making more milky (his idea!). I am even getting let downs... I try to keep it at bay also so I don't offer and when he asks I even delay it. He is 4 1/2 and nursing has been painful in pregnancy, plus I get contractions..my reasons to keep it under 3 sessions.
Luckily at this age he is understanding.

As far as self weaning goes...toddlers can sometimes not nurse for a week and still continue. A friend's 4 year old even took 2-3 week breaks for a while before she stopped.