This is one of those questions that sometimes has me scratching my head at
moms who posit it...a two year old who has been nursed more or less "on
request" and who still wakes often to nurse is a completely normal kid (and
a lucky one, I might add). It seems what the mom is asking for is a
"fix"--and who can blame her; the situation is understandably a big
challenge!  But the mom has been responding to her toddler's needs and
thereby reinforcing those requests.  What she really wants is for her
daughter to STOP wanting/needing night nursing.  Though we can't be
omniscient, I'd say the chances are pretty darn high that this kid has been
too well parented to give up on such a normal need for night nursing that
easily!   Moms, of course, must make the decisions that allow them to feel
they are taking good care of themselves as well as little ones.  Though it
may not be what she is hoping to hear, if she has made the decision that
night nursing is unacceptable, she will have to "simply" refuse nursing at
night, using holding, rocking, singing, lots of explanations, etc. Let her
know she can expect increased requests for nursing through the day.  Notice
I say nothing about whether this will work the way she hopes.  Her toddler
may "deal" well with the night weaning, and maybe not.  Mom may decide that
it is worth it to nurse if she can sleep some rather than refuse nightly,
all night, to a hysterical child.  There are lots of tricks and helpful
hints with breastfeeding, but we can't make needs disappear.  Good luck to
your mom.
mailto: [log in to unmask]
Joy Berry-Parks
"Never doubt that a small group of dedicated, committed people can change
the world. In fact, it is the only thing which ever has." ---Margaret Mead

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