tempted to ween, well, not really

[kokonutmama]

I have scratches all over the right side of my face because Kody's started to be really rough in general, and most annoyingly while he's nursing.  something is obviously up with him for other reasons (missing pees, strange behaviours) and he's going through a huge developmental spurt with a growth spurt apparently close behind, and we've been having mommy-kody issues since I've been staying up late and working during the day while my mom watches him...
All the same, when the kid thinks it's funny to kick me in the face while he's nursing, I get the feeling it might be time to start to withdraw access...
no, no, you're right, there's too much else going on and it was never my intention to wean him anyway, but to let him self wean.  Perhaps I'm just tired.  (I'm posting this anyway, because it's more thereputic that way, right?)

[moogie]

i think if he's hurting you and not stopping that it would probably be appropriate to take the breast away when he does  it.  sounds like you're frustrated and that can't be good for either of you.

[kiskar]

Ben has been doing some of the same things, such as kicking me when nursing. I treat it just like biting and remove him from the breast and set him on the floor. It's weird, half the time when I tell him "gentle touches" he starts hitting himself harder! I am hoping this is just a normal phase....

Kerry

[jnezmama02]

I agree w/ what Megs & Kerry say. There's no need to wean; however, it's important to give him the natural consequence of taking him off the breast when he hurts you on purpose. I'd reinforce that by some phrase like "no nursing when you kick" or whatever words feel comfortable to you, as you take him off. He'll fuss and fight it the for a min or two, and then move on. The key to getting him to stop by using natural consequence is consistency...you have to do it every time that behavior occurs...which of course is very difficult when you're already tired.  I feel for you...I remember how hard it was to work from home w/ a kid that needs attention too. 

As far as general behavior...some of it I'm sure is due to the change of you working more/staying up later. Also, I have a friend who had a son who was potty-trained who started wetting the bed and missing potty-training time and acting up a bit, and it ended up that he had an ear infection. Her dr. said that some kids don't have any obvious sign of infection (can be ears, throat, uti or other sickness) and can't express that they feel bad yet. Often, they miss potty-time b/c they feel too bad to get up or to pay attention to the signs. I'm not sure if this is what's going on w/ him or not, but if things continue, then it's worth going for a quick check-up to make sure there's nothing else going on.

Good luck! 

[jnezmama02]

Oh, one more thing. I wanted to say, that it's not the end of the world if you end up weaning. If you are comfortable w/ it, you could start "Don't ask, don't  refuse", which basically means, you wait for him to say/sign/show that he wants to nurse, rather than offering to nurse when you think it's time to do so. Maybe you're already doing this, I'm not sure. But, doing this will give him some control and at this age is a good bridge to self-weaning.

[kokonutmama]

Yeah, I've been taking him off when he bites or hits, or turns upside down, I hate it when his butt's in my face.  He just looks so betrayed, though.     You know, maybe I should take him to the doctor, we haven't had our 18 month appt yet (yeah, it's way past time, I'm just not sure we have insurance and the insurance company's not answering my e-mails, another sob story, no excuse, I know) but he's been feeling a little warm on and off, I'd been attributing it to teething.  which would explain some things, too.  hmm. 

[ShannonandDel]

I have been trying the "don't ask, don't refuse" thing for awhile....Delaney is addicted. I really want to night wean, but it is hard! I am really intimidated by the whole thought!

Delaney pinches. I would always put her down when she did, and she would throw a fit. That lasted a few days, and she rarely does now. As soon as she does she throws her arms around me. I can't decide if she is giving me a "sorry" hug or if she is holding on so I can't put her down.

I am really wishy washy on weaning. I love it, but sometimes I wish she wasn't always asking.....

[ShannonandDel]

Addrienne, how are you feeling about this. I want to wean one minute, but the next I love it. I have no idea how to even start though! I think we might be the only ones still nursing, unless Annie and Aiden are......

[AnnieMommy7]

Still going strong here with nursing.  If my other kids were any indication, we might be at this for another year still...  I'm having my mixed feelings moments, too, but will keep on keeping on for now.  He's a boob man all the way!

[kokonutmama]

In some ways, Kody is now what "all the books" said newborns are supposed to be.  He nurses 6-8 times a day and we finally are able to unhook, and then lay down, though so far only in an absolutely dead sleep. 
Weening is really unthinkable now, since it's such a part of our lives, and I'm coming (slowly) to terms with the fact that we're going to be at this much longer than I had expected.  I just don't want to be like the lady in the video megs posted with the daughter who was asked when she would stop nursing (she was five) and she said, "Never!"  I'm hoping he can go to kindergarten.

today he offered me my own breast, which is OT, but I thought it was funny.

[jnezmama02]

Today he offered me my own breast, which is OT, but I thought it was funny.

That is TOO FUNNY, Adrienne.

Congrats to all of you for still nursing and continuing on for now!! 

[moogie]

6 - 8 times a day, wow, a lot is going on at your house though so i guess its partly got to do with securing you, IYKWIM. 

[kokonutmama]

6 - 8 times a day, wow, a lot is going on at your house though so i guess its partly got to do with securing you, IYKWIM. 

absolutely. 

there are other factors, too, but that's a big one I'm sure.