34: Why (almost) all the toddler breastfeeding advice is WRONG (and why there is still hope!)

10/16/23 • 23 min

Who knew you would be longing for the early days of breastfeeding again a year or two don't the road?
It seems to get MORE complicated the further along you go - and the big reason for this?
Really terrible advice, from (often) really well-meaning people!
In this week's podcast episode I am breaking down the 3 different types of toddler breastfeeding "advice" I see out in the world:

Behaviour Focused
Fantasy Focused
Overly Generalized

AND I'll be sharing why I believe there is still so much hope for you and your little one.

Grab your free guide to say "No" to the feed while still saying "yes" to the need at www.ownyourparentingstory.com/guide
Love this episode?! Shoot me a DM over on Instagram @own.your.parenting.story and tell me all about it. <3

Behaviour Focused
Fantasy Focused
Overly Generalized

AND I'll be sharing why I believe there is still so much hope for you and your little one.

Previous Episode

33: When to stop breastfeeding on demand (and what to do instead)

Breastfeeding on demand is recommended by leading health & breastfeeding organizations around the world, but what happens when your little one isn't so little anymore? Is there an age where you should stop offering breastmilk anytime your child asks? And if there is - what are you supposed to do after it?
In this podcast episode, I break down:

What on-demand breastfeeding is
Why it's recommended (and touch on the sorted history of infant feeding recommendations)
3 Problems with on-demand breastfeeding
What the typical answer is for "when to stop on-demand breastfeeding" (and why it doesn't hit the mark)
Why you should stop on-demand breastfeeding today and what to do instead

Tune in for a nuanced conversation about the topics that keep you up at night (literally & figuratively) as a full-term breastfeeding mom.

Read the blog version of this podcast here.

Next Episode

35: How to wean a clingy toddler from breastfeeding

In this episode, I discuss the challenges of weaning your booby-obsessed toddler when they're not quite ready to stop breastfeeding. I explore the role of internal experiences, stress, and co-regulation in this process.

Key Points:

You Can't Magically Make Them Ready: Unfortunately, you can't instantly make your toddler ready to wean - no matter how badly you might want to! It's important to understand that their internal experiences and feelings can't be changed on a whim - but that doesn't mean you don't have anything within your control...
The Toddler Breastfeeding Stress Spiral: I delve into the "toddler breastfeeding stress cycle" where a stressed parent can lead to more frequent breastfeeding, creating a cycle of stress for both child and parent. This is the part you CAN control!
Addressing Your Internal Experience: By addressing your own internal experiences and managing your stress, you can turn down the dial of intensity in your child's breastfeeding demands and clinginess. But, your ability to influence your toddler's readiness doesn't stop there.
External Stressors: Examine your child's environment to identify external stressors that might be affecting them. Reducing these stressors can empower your child to handle the stress associated with weaning more effectively.
Empowering Your Child: Weaning is a big change, and if they haven't stopped breastfeeding on their own they probably aren't "ready to stop" - BUT if you have laid the foundation well, you can empower them to move through the change of weaning without too much stress. And the stress that is there will be met with connection & co-regulation from you that will strengthen your bond.
Upcoming Workshop: Don't forget to register for the upcoming workshop on October 27th at 2 p.m. Eastern, where I'll dive deeper into these topics and answer your questions. The replay will be available if you can't attend live.

Stay Tuned: In the next podcast episode, I'll be talking about how to know if YOU are truly ready to wean.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode.

Start to Stop Toddler Breastfeeding - 34: Why (almost) all the toddler breastfeeding advice is WRONG (and why there is still hope!)

Transcript

I can't believe that this is episode 34. Of Start to Stop Toddler Breastfeeding Thirty-four episodes have been put out into the world! The feedback that I've received from all of you incredible listeners, tuning in from all over the world, has been really humbling. Honestly, I record these episodes in my little bedroom at my desk in the corner, talking to a wall and sharing my thoughts and experiences, both personally and professionally, right on toddler breastfeeding. Seeing how it has impact