Breastfeeding a toddler. . .

[Bucket_85]

Hi,

I have a 3 and a half year old son and a 4 week old daughter. My son is very jealous of the new baby. I am managing to breastfeed my daughter (I couldn't with my son) . Anyway what I would like to know is - I think it would be lovely to try and breastfeed my son at the same time so I could have one on each breast. I've discussed it with my husband, he thinks it's a great idea because it would be quality time with them both. Obviously I wouldn't breastfeed my son during the night but maybe a couple of times during the day. I've mentioned it to my sister who said it was a terrible idea (she said I'd be like Daisy the cow) and that 3 year olds don't need breast milk.

I can see where she's coming from BUT surely all my nutrients wouldn't harm him, if anything they'd be good for him? I am thinking of trying it tomorrow

[boxtops]

Will you have enough milk for your little girl if she shares with her brother? I am not personally in favour of big toddlers still breastfeeding, but I know that there are several schools of thought about this.

[ummmm]

No not a good idea....you've never breast fed him in the first place so to a 3 and a half year old it would be like Mummy sticking her tit in his mouth.

He probably wouldn't like the taste anyway...

Does he still have a bottle?

[B00]

sorry, but I read this post and thought David Williams!

How about, you put aside some "him" time after you've fed the baby and put her down? I dunno something along the lines of "When ive fed xxxxx, we'll do some colouring in/ read a story" etc?

[humpy07]

Bitty!

[ummmm]

The more I think about this the more ridiculous it sounds.....How can you 'start' breast feeding at 3 1/2?

[humpy07]

I'd be too worried he'd chow down, and break skin!

[yelenots]

I agree with the last answer!!!!! Its not natural to start it when he 3 and half!!!!!

[ummmm]

Most other people manage to have a young child and a baby with trying to feed the older one....Do what BOO says. The baby will have to fit in with your lives....put her down and spend some time with him.

[B00]

Which he probably would too.

I'm sure by his age he's lost the instinctive suckling reflex which babies have and will do what comes naturally- biting...ouchy!

Sorry again, but it really is a terrible and quite frankly disturbing thing to even contemplate.

[Bucket_85]

boxtops - I have enough milk to feed the street lol.

BOO - I can see where you're coming from but I just feel guilty that I'm not spending as much time with him at the moment and liked the idea of giving them both some goodness.
May leave it a while to see if he settles down, he can't stand his little sister at the moment :(

[ummmm]

And that's more normal than you contemplating trying to feed him.

[Bucket_85]

Fiona Phillips breastfed her sons until they were older than 3 and a half I'm sure! I haven't done it, I just said I had considered it. I certainly would not do it in public (I don't breastfeed my daughter in public)

[JULIEWOOLIE]

You may find it exhausting,it all works on supply & demand.Your son may just play with idea & have lost his sucking reflex anyway,in that case no harm can be done as he feels part of it in a pretend game?My only reservation is if he gets into it, its harder weaning a 3 yr old plus!Julie

[B00]

Imagine your horror, if you embark in this mad scheme, if he grabs your boobs while out shopping, and demands feeding! You'd have to emigrate due to the shame.

Seriously still think the best idea would be to put aside some him time during the day, or maybe dad can help when he's at home? Take him out in the garden for football or something when it comes to feeding time?

[ummmm]

That's the point...you have never breastfed him.

If you were still breastfeeding your daughter at that age....fair enough. It's not something you suddenly take up because you have milk...!

[ladybird49]

Surely this is a wind up ?

[ummmm]

I hope so....

[puzzled54]

Why feel guilty? Your son has had your undivided attention for 3 and a half years - your daughter won't get that!

[suzie1]

that is crazy, dont breast feed your son, feed your daughter, put her down then spend time with your son, like, do things with him a 3 and half year old would enjoy doing, im sure he wont want to be pinned to your breast at that age. sorry but i find it repulsive!

[suzie1]

that is crazy, dont breast feed your son, feed your daughter, put her down then spend time with your son, like, do things with him a 3 and half year old would enjoy doing, im sure he wont want to be pinned to your breast at that age. sorry but i find it repulsive!