Well, maybe disfunctional is a bit harsh but here is the situation. My daughter Nola and I co sleep. She is 2 years old and we are weaning breastfeeding right now. My husband sleeps on the couch most nights and this is fine (he snores and stays up really late). My milk supply has decreased to the point were I am barely producing milk but at night when she wants to nurse both her and I find ourselves frustrated. So when she fusses then Papa comes and takes her to the couch and she snuggles with him until she falls back asleep and then he puts her back in bed with me.
I guess my problem is the fact that I am getting so frustrated when she wants to nurse and I know there is no milk flowing and then it really starts to hurt my breast/nipple. And to make things even more difficult we are moving in a couple of weeks and Papa will not be with us for 3 weeks. So I am having anxiety already that she and I are not going to get good sleep for those 3 weeks. My question I guess is, do I stop weaning until we are settled after the move and hope that my millk supply increases? Are there other mamas out there that let there children nurse when they know they are not getting any milk? Any advise suggestion is much appreciated
I guess my problem is the fact that I am getting so frustrated when she wants to nurse and I know there is no milk flowing and then it really starts to hurt my breast/nipple. And to make things even more difficult we are moving in a couple of weeks and Papa will not be with us for 3 weeks. So I am having anxiety already that she and I are not going to get good sleep for those 3 weeks. My question I guess is, do I stop weaning until we are settled after the move and hope that my millk supply increases? Are there other mamas out there that let there children nurse when they know they are not getting any milk? Any advise suggestion is much appreciated
posted by:
|
Oregon
|
-
Re: Disfuntional Sleeping Situations...please help!
Thu, May 1, 2008 - 10:39 PMHi, Maggie!
I haven't actively weaned my sons but I did nurse my older one through my pregnancy with his younger brother and for much of that time there was no milk at all. It was not very comfortable.... actually sometimes I considered clawing my eyes out! ;) My motivation for continuing despite my discomfort was because my son clearly still needed the comfort of nursing. The comfort aspect of nursing is IMHO equally important as the nutritional aspect. I also knew that with the new baby on the way, there was going to be some significant upheaval in our routine and his life so keeping our nursing relationship going was a way I thought was important to ease him through the transition, and it turned out to be an excellent choice and I never regretted sticking out during those "dry" months of nursing.
Moving to another home is a huge deal for everyone, and certainly a 2-year-old would be stressed about all of it just like you undoubtedly are (or will be!). For that reason, I think you might be compounding her stress if you push the weaning too much during that time. She may sleep poorly and be extra needy because of the move, so working at the weaning process would be even more difficult.
Good luck, mama, and may your new life changes both go smoothly! :) -
-
Re: Disfuntional Sleeping Situations...please help!
Fri, May 2, 2008 - 12:51 PMWow, that sounds rough. no advice, really. I just wanted to say i feel for you and encourage you to tap into you mothering instinct and listen to what "she" has to say. Love to you guys!
-
-
Re: Disfuntional Sleeping Situations...please help!
Sun, May 18, 2008 - 9:03 AMYa know they can ween pretty fast. If you have a couple of weeks and you think your milk is done...you do have the time now with daddy there to move on to bottles or sippy cups. Good thing you are pondering this now while you have him there to support you. Good luck whatever you decide!
