My 2-year-old is a talker. My chattiest child yet. Often, he will pause nursing to tell me about something that has come to mind – the Spiderman birthday party he wants or that pizza sounds good for lunch. I’ll ask if he is done with milk, if he is ready to go make pizza or whatever is coming next in our day and inevitably he will reply, “No, milk now”.
Breastfeeding a toddler is not something I ever planned for
With my son being so verbal, he is adamant that we continue nursing
I’ve mentioned that we should save some milk for the baby and in his kindest voice he says, “Oh, we can just share.” He will tap one breast and say “for me” and the other and say “for baby”. It’s the sweetest — he apparently has it all worked out.
Breastfeeding is his comfort and part of his routine. It's what he's always known. This part of nursing a toddler is so hard because I know he'll feel the loss when we fully wean. I know it'll be confusing and sad for him. I also know we'll connect in new ways and he will be ok. This is just part of growing up.
As much as I cherish nursing into toddlerhood I sense my body and heart are ready to be done. Well, today at least. Tomorrow I’ll probably cry about the thought of being done. Breastfeeding has been such a special part of our relationship.
For now, we’re continuing to talk about the transition so it’s not a surprise when the final day of nursing comes. We’re limiting the time we nurse or opting just for one side before snuggling or reading a book. I’m reminding him that he can feel both sad about no longer being a baby and happy about becoming a big boy. Because isn’t that the dichotomy we all live in? A constant release of who we were paired with excitement for what is to come and who we will be.
