Convenient for the Whole Family
December 25, 2008 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under advantages of breastfeeding, breastfeeding, mothering
Sometimes a mother expecting another baby worries about how her first child will feel about the time the mother spends nursing the new baby. I can say from experience that it works out just fine (have a set of toys and books and snacks at the ready for nursing sessions, and use the time to cuddle with and read to your older child). Eventually, your child might even come to appreciate the convenience of nursing, just like my 4-year-old has. We had this conversation yesterday:
4-year-old: “Mom, let’s play the elf game when we get home.”
Me: “Okay, after I get Nicole back to sleep.”
4-year-old: “No, Nicole wants to play!”
Me: “We’ll see.”
4-year-old (inspiration striking): “You could nurse Nicole! Nurse Nicole! You can nurse Nicole in the elf house!”
Later at home, in the middle of the game…
4-year-old: “Take Baby Elf to sleep. Nurse her!”
If you celebrate Christmas, I hope yours is a merry one!
I know that all too well! Unfortunately, my 4 year old son thinks it still works even though my daughter is now 21 months old and much more interested in whatever he is playing with than in nursing. He insists we can play memory, go fish, snakes and ladders, etc. while she nurses, but she is not interested in nursing and also not interested in letting us play. She just wants to take the pieces and fling them around the room. Sigh.
Yes, I’ve been there too, with the older two! I find that while the baby days are intense physically, it’s even harder when the baby becomes a toddler! Always a new challenge at each stage. Thankfully there are new rewards too, right?