I am extended breastfeeding and I love it. I never would have envisioned this but here we are, and it's so natural it's right. My beautiful high needs son is almost 3 with no signs of giving it up. When I refuse because I'm busy or need to give it a break, he puts his hands on my chest and says "Mine!" I considered weening because we are adopting, then finally concluded that he may need it more than ever in that case. Between my husband and myself, we've decided to let him continue as needed.
Which leads me to my problem. With my first son I've followed my instincts and his leading; I nurse to comfort, to bond, to put him to sleep. I don't know how to raise a child without the breast! I'm completely spoiled to the cure-all, to the ease. I don't know how to fix a bottle, or even if I should be fixing a bottle for a child over 1? What do they eat (I've tried pumping for donations and my body didn't take to it)? How often? If they're picky and refuse to eat solids (as my first son did), do they need supplements? How do you nurse a child to sleep without nursing? How do you comfort them when they're inconsolable?
My second son should be joining us in a few months, between November and January, and he will be one in September. I've heard of people bf adopted children, I've also heard it was rare in a child this old, so I can't count on it. How is a nurturing extended breastfeeding type relationship fostered without the breast?
Which leads me to my problem. With my first son I've followed my instincts and his leading; I nurse to comfort, to bond, to put him to sleep. I don't know how to raise a child without the breast! I'm completely spoiled to the cure-all, to the ease. I don't know how to fix a bottle, or even if I should be fixing a bottle for a child over 1? What do they eat (I've tried pumping for donations and my body didn't take to it)? How often? If they're picky and refuse to eat solids (as my first son did), do they need supplements? How do you nurse a child to sleep without nursing? How do you comfort them when they're inconsolable?
My second son should be joining us in a few months, between November and January, and he will be one in September. I've heard of people bf adopted children, I've also heard it was rare in a child this old, so I can't count on it. How is a nurturing extended breastfeeding type relationship fostered without the breast?
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