Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The Joys, Humors and Struggles of...

Nursing a toddler!

TopHat is having a carnival: "This is what Nursing a Toddler Looks Like". And I'm joining in the fun. [Links to other carvival posts will be added periodically throughout today at the bottom of this post.]

This is what nursing a toddler is like in our home:

-While laying in bed, the hubs asks, "Is he still latched on?" even though Bug has his butt in the air or his feet in dad's face or he is spinning around like a crocodile tearing off a hunk of his prey. The answer is..."yes".

-The time it takes to unhook my nursing bra is longer than the time Bug takes nursing.

-By the time I get my bra re-hooked, Bug has run around the room (adding to the mess) and is back for another snack. So we begin again with the unhooking and two second nursing (going bra less makes this snack and run SO much easier!)

-Nursing raspberries, enough said!

-On a daily basis, I have to help Bug to correct his latch so his teeth aren't threatening the well-being of my nipple...especially because he's gotten lazy with his latch (after all, there are so many more important things in his life!)

-When I get prepared for nursing, Bug watches me and laughs...unless he is really ready to nurse, then he lays down on my lap (even if it isn't the right way) and practically hyperventilates trying to reach and latch on (even if I'm not completely ready for him).

-If my shirt shows ANY cleavage, Bug is trying to pull it down to nurse.

-If my shirt does NOT show cleavage, Bug is trying to pull it up to nurse.

-Sometimes Bug will want a snack of mommy milk while he is snacking on something else. This usually means I'll end up with soggy Cheerios stuck to my breast. Well...cereal and milk do go hand in hand!

-Toddlers, as you may know, are notorious for getting hurt. Last week, we had a picnic at the park. Bug was walking around everywhere, carrying sticks that were three times his size and eating anything he picked up off the ground. Inevitably, he biffed it and got a quarter sized scratch on his noggin'. But, he barely cried, because he had what we have dubbed "Magic Mommy Milk"! Turns out I really do have super powers!

And that's what nursing a toddler looks like.

Enjoy more of the carnival:
Nursing an [Older] Toddler
Nursing A (And Around A) Toddler Creates Cute Stories
"This is what Nursing a Toddler Looks Like" at My Seaside Retreat
I Never Thought I'd Nurse A Toddler
Comfort in Sick Times (This is TopHat, the Carnival master!)
Nursing a Toddler in a Ring Sling
The Pros and Cons of Breastfeeding a Toddler
My nursing toddler story
A Breastfeeding Toddler Photoshoot
This is a nursing toddler
Beautiful at Every Age
This is what nursing a toddler looks like at Three Girl Pile-up
This is what nursing a toddler looks like at Permission to Mother
This is what nursing a toddler looks like at Mama's Apple Cores

12 comments:

Melinda said...

Oh seriously! I so agree on every single points! Nursing is great and awesome, but it's not what you think it is! haha

Melissa said...

Bug sounds like an adventurous little boy!

Mona said...

You mommies may like to know that the little guy I nursed until he was almost two has remained a "mommy's boy" (as in Army of Helaman quality) all his life -- top notch and devoted to mom and now to his sweet wife who he LOVES LOVES LOVES to cuddle with.

Mona
http://monasgospelmusings.blogspot.com

Melodie said...

This was a very enjoyable read. So true, so true!

Melodie said...

So true, so true! And a very enjoyable read!

Anonymous said...

Reading this made me laugh - I nursed my daughter until she was almost 3 and I can relate to a lot of these things. She hasn't nursed in over a year and she still looks at me sideways if she can see any cleavage. Oh, the joys! :)

Lauren Wayne said...

While laying in bed, the hubs asks, "Is he still latched on?" even though Bug has his butt in the air or his feet in dad's face or he is spinning around like a crocodile tearing off a hunk of his prey. The answer is..."yes".Crocodile tearing off a hunk of prey — THAT's what it is! You described it perfectly.

This post made me laugh so much. I love the soggy Cheerios bit. I've found some interesting things down my shirt as well!

Anonymous said...

What is it with the lazy latch as they get older...ugh my right nipple could DIE some days....

Bonnie said...

Funny but true, I am still nursing my almost 15 month old daughter and the crocodile comment made me laugh because once she could maneuver herself while nursing she would wait for me to prepare for her to switch sides and then turn herself around to face the other direction all the while still attached so all she had to do was a quick lean back to latch on to the other side with the least amount of off time, she also would stand up and wrench around while nursing both while I was seated and laying down. It is amazing how a lot of things that look painful really don't hurt and also how far from glamourous nursing a toddler can look... but it is all worth it!

Denise Punger MD IBCLC said...

I love all your anecdotes.

Jake Aryeh Marcus said...

Here is a link to my Carnival entry. I am still hunting around for all the entries. :) http://blog.jakemarcus.com/2009/05/14/this-is-what-a-nursing-toddler-looks-like/

Jake Aryeh Marcus said...

Here is a link to my Carnival contribution: http://blog.jakemarcus.com/2009/05/14/this-is-what-a-nursing-toddler-looks-like/ :)