nursing aversion with toddler

[filey1]

Am feeding my 2.2 yr old DD and am really find it tough at the moment. She is sleeping terribly so after a period of her being night weaned I am now feeding her when she wakes. She is also no longer falling asleep by herself and DH is awayy so i am feeding her to sleep as I can't face bedtime battles alone!

I am just feeling so irritable when feeding her and sometimes have an urge to push her away. It feels like she is sucking and there is nothing there and it is very uncomfortable. But out of sheer exhaustion, I keep feeding her to keep her asleep or get her to sleep.

I am definitely not pregnant and it seems to not just be when I have PMT. I don't want to stop feeding.

Any tips on what to do?

[IComeFromALandDownUnder]

Why do you want to continue feeding if it is making you miserable?

[filey1]

Because overall I still want to. Like most mums, I have been through ups and downs when it comes to breastfeeding so I know that it is just a tough time.

Also, we have a lot of changes over the next few
months -house move, long haul travel, new nursery so.don't feel it is the best time to stop.

[gotadifferentnamenow]

No advice, but lots of sympathy. My toddler is younger than yours but I recognise just the feeling you describe. This phase will pass - you know that already.

[gotadifferentnamenow]

Btw - looking at her age - is she teething? I often find that periods of nursing aversion coincide with big teething moments (we're on eye teeth atm :() which makes some sense as DS then feeds loads, wakes loads more than usual and latches rather stupidly. None of this is a recipe for blissful nursing!

[filey1]

Thanks for the sympathy! Think you are right, it is probably her molars. Good to know there is a reason she is out of sorts but doesn't always make it any easier IYKWIM.

DH is back tomorrow so will do bedtime and night wakings over weekend which will give me a break.

Funny thing is I feel like I need more support feeding a toddler than a newborn!