Tag Archives: breastfeeding a toddler

Breastfeeding a Toddler: 4 weird things.

breastfeeding toddler infantIn follow up to my post the “10 Truths about Breastfeeding a Toddler” I thought I’d add some weird things I’ve discovered whilst breastfeeding my toddler.

1. Your breasts will smell of garlic

Yes, you read that right. Obviously now BiP is eating everything and her favourite thing is garlicky green beans. SO, needless to say when she feeds right after lunch my breasts smell like garlic for the rest of the day. Nice eh?

2. Your nipples are hilarious (and so is your belly)

After a year of breastfeeding BiP suddenly discovered that my nipples are funny. Actually they are hilarious. Whisking my breasts away before the nipple crippling game starts has become a battle of wills!

Annoyingly my belly is also hilarious. When I get ready to feed BiP she thinks it’s really funny to grab my belly and squeal. Doesn’t do wonders for your self esteem but I guess the mass of jelly and over stretched skin does feel weird, and maybe slightly amusing.

3. Your lose all rights over your bra

BiP can now unclip my bra and almost clip it back. It’s amazing how it’s no longer MY job to do that, but hers. If I put my bra back on before she is ready I certainly hear about it.

4. Nursing in Public demands attention!

The look of shock on people’s faces when I feed BiP in public is priceless. She will tug and pull at my clothes until I oblige. When I am about to feed her she turns to her audience, clasps her hands tightly and squeals with delight. It’s super cute but it draws maximum attention.

So, there you have it.

What weird things have you discovered about breastfeeding a toddler?

Excusez-moi Madame? Where are you from?

breastfeeding in franceToday BiP had an appointment at the pediatricians. It was just a general check up.

In France there are a number of required check ups and this was BiP’s 16 month check up (she’s 17 months old now).

We saw a different pediatrician from our usual one because I’d discovered he was possibly more pro-breastfeeding than my regular pediatrician. As I’ve written before, breast isn’t always best if you live in France. So it’s important for me to find someone supportive.

Everything was going great until the subject of vitamins came up. He said it was time BiP took some different vitamins which were to be dissolved in a bottle of juice or milk.

The following conversation is translated from French (obviously) –

Me: “But BiP doesn’t drink juice or milk”

Pediatrician: “WHAT? What does she drink then?”

Me: “Water?”

Pediatrician: “But what does she drink for MILK?”

Me: “Umm, she drinks my milk”

Pediatrician: “STILL?!?” He shrieks, almost falling off his chair.

Me: “Yes, I have no good reason to stop, she loves it.”

Pediatrician: rubs his forehead “What about yogurt?”

Me: “No, she doesn’t eat yogurt.”

Pediatrician: “Why?”

Me: “Well, I believe that cows milk is for baby cows” (I couldn’t find the word for calf in French) “AND my milk is for MY baby”

Pediatrician: SIGHS Loudly “Excuse me Madame? Where are you from?”

Me: “I’m half English, half Egyptian”

Pediatrician: Nods knowingly “Ok, good. See you next time!”

I guess my ridiculous answers come from the fact that I am OBVIOUSLY not French!

The experience reminded me of a clip from the movie Grown Ups … Check it out …