Toddler wanting to "feed" but milk dried up.

Celesse

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My milk is gone. Totally gone. I'm convinced of it! I can't squeeze anything out, when LO feeds there is no sign of milk in her mouth, or on the nipple and the breast no longer feels any different after a feed, and I can't hear any swallowing. I'm nearly 20 weeks pregnant and have gone through reduced supply, to lack of let down, to transitional milk, to colostrum and now nothing. I didn't leak during my first pregnancy and my boobs now feel like they did second trimester last time.

But..... LO still wants to "feed". She is on the breast first thing in the morning and at least one other time during the day. Also she wants to "feed" after a bump or when she isn't feeling well. If I'm home for nap times (which I am not mon-fri) I'm pretty sure she would want to feed then. Even if we offer juice first thing in the morning she will just drink it and then have a boobie. If I don't offer a feed, she will let me know she has missed one.

I really would have thought once they got empty she would have stopped. Not sure what to do and if there is any point in carrying on.
 
I think it's called dry nursing. My friend is going through it at the moment with her little boy, and says it's feeling really sore now. How do you feel about it? If it doesn't bother you, it's probably worth continuing, as it clearly is still important to your daughter. Another thing to consider is do you want to tandem feed? If not, you'd probably find it easier to wean her while there's still no milk. Apparently colostrum starts being produced between the 4th and 8th month of pregnancy, so you may not be dry for much longer.

It's a really clear example of how toddler nursing has far less to do with the actual milk than the bond breastfeeding offers!

Good luck in your decision!
 
I don't know if it exactly bothers me, or if I think it should bother me because of how society as a whole sees BFing. Its definatly not something I'd wanna go advertise "My toddler suckles my empty breast for comfort", cos I can't imagine anyone understanding. Most people don't understand why I would even still BF at nearly 18 months!

But between me and my daughter (and OH) everything is just the same as it always has been. Our relationship is no different if she gets a drink when she nurses or not. And OH isn't bothered or worried or uncomfortable about it. Tandem nursing does appeal to me as I think it will help her to not feel as pushed out if she can have the same kind of cuddles as the baby.
 
If it was me, I'd continue feeding, as like you say, it offers comfort more than anything else. I think that's why Bethan feeds now, more than anything, to be honest.

I know a few people who've tandem fed, and it's worked really well for them. They tended to give a boob to each child, so that the supply would be the right amount for each one, and it really helped the older baby to feel more secure with the arrival of the 'interloper'. :haha:
 

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