Your results are in!
You are an extended breastfeeding mama in the...
TURBULENCE STAGE
This means you are in danger of nursing burnout. For you, the next step will be learning to apply breastfeeding boundaries to make your journey more manageable.
Read on for tips on how to make extended breastfeeding manageable again
Attention Passengers:
We are encountering some turbulence and the captain has turned on the fasten seat belt sign.
As a reminder, please be sure to put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others.
Watch this short video for a summary of your results!
You feel like an exhausted snack bar.
Every nursing journey looks different. The path that has led you here may have been smooth, or perhaps you had some turbulence in the first months with engorgement, clogged ducts, and maybe even mastitis. You have managed to introduce solids, survive months of red eye nursing sessions, and have celebrated a birthday (or two… or three!). You have accomplished a lot! And that is something to celebrate.
But you are also in danger of major burnout mama.
You strive to apply gentle parenting skills, but don’t know how to respond to your child’s big emotions - especially when they are losing their minds because you tried to tell them “no” to the boob.
You don’t want to yell, and their yelling is totally triggering you, so the easiest option is to give in and nurse them (even though in the back of your mind you know it’s only reinforcing the behavior you’re trying to stop).
Like many other extended nursers, you are probably co-sleeping and can't figure out how to get your little boob barnacle off during the night.
Seeing nursing as the problem, you may be getting suggestions from others to wean - but you know that weaning won’t solve it all; it will only take away the one super power parenting tool you have.
Even your well-meaning partner may think weaning is the solution so that their child won’t scream, “I want mama!” anymore.
Here's what that means
To help reduce burnout and to make weaning possible...
You need to start setting some breastfeeding boundaries.
"Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously" ~ Prentis Hemphill
Why Are Breastfeeding Boundaries So Difficult?
Toddler nursing limits are so hard because there is a lot of bad info out there about how to do it. Maybe you've heard the "just distract them" method, which may work for some kids for a short time, but they don't magically forget that they are hungry, or thirsty, or tired, or hurt, or just need to feel that immediate connection to you.
Or maybe you've been told to "just wean them." Because it's so easy, right?
Or maybe you've even been blamed for your child's behavior because you're too permissive with them and need to put your foot down and "say no."
The reality is breastfeeding boundaries are hard because you have not been taught how to do them. Without actual guidance on how to navigate big upsets without the boob, it will feel near impossible (or maybe even downright scary) to imagine life without your #1 parenting tool.
So you keep going, even when you don't want to.
I created the Basics of Breastfeeding Boundaries online mini-course specifically for toddler nursing moms in the Turbulence stage of extended nursing. I don't want you to have excuses to talk yourself out of having this resource as your guide, so I've even dropped its cost to the ultra-affordable price of $9 with the promo code "QUIZ". Yes, the cost of knowing how to cut your nursing sessions in half is the same as your favorite latte and a pastry.
Get the Course for $9
You don't have to do this alone
I know how you feel because I've been where you are. In 4 1/2 years of nursing I learned so much; and after our last nursing session I vowed to use my knowledge and experience to create a community to help others feel less isolated and alone in their extended nursing journeys.
To date, there are over 3,000 parents in the Nursing Mamas community who have made extended breastfeeding manageable and enjoyable again. And with a boost in your confidence that you are a good mom by listening to your child and trusting your instincts, you can get there too!
You just need to tweak your approach ever so slightly to get the results you want.
There's so much value in this resource!
In this 20 minute session, I break down:
-
Why toddlers need limits
-
The transition from on-demand nursing to breastfeeding with loving boundaries
-
Three specific tips to setting a breastfeeding limit
-
Five example boundaries you can implement today
Example boundaries include:
- Choosing the number of nursing sessions you have per day
- Teaching your child how to respect your body in order to get milk
- Deciding where nursing is acceptable
- and more!
The Basics of Breastfeeding Boundaries is meant to help you take action NOW so you can get out of the storm and back to blue skies as far as the eye can see.
FOR BEING A QUIZ TAKER, BE SURE TO USE THE CODE "QUIZ" TO GET $10 OFF!
For only $9, you can be on your way to less frustration and burnout, and more love and joy with your child again.
I promise this is for you!
Hey there, I'm Erin
There's a reason you took this quiz...
And based on your results, it was probably because you need a change. And I get it because I've been where you are.
I was in your shoes before I figured out how to make breastfeeding my toddler manageable. Without boundaries, we would have never made it to 4 1/2 years nursing. And you may be thinking, "I don't want to go that long!" And you don't have to; your journey will be unique to you and your child. The important thing is to create a nursing partnership where you also have a say about when, where, and how you breastfeed your little boob barnacle.
After weaning in 2020, I became a virtual lactation educator and created of Nursing Mamas to help moms just like you not feel alone. I combine my two Master's Degrees in Health and Family Communication, lactation knowledge, and personal nursing experience to focus on the parent-toddler nursing relationship.
Specifically, I help extended breastfeeding parents who are struggling with the transition from on-demand infant nursing to demanding toddler breastfeeding create breastfeeding boundaries using play and gentle parenting strategies.
I live in Costa Mesa, CA with my husband Scott, and 2 children, Avery and Luca.
BONUS!
3 More Tips to Make Toddler Nursing Manageable
Decide when YOU want to nurse
Think about how many times a day you want to nurse.
Then create a nursing schedule and share it with your toddler.
Focusing on when they CAN nurse can reduce their asking for it!
Assess your big emotions about their big emotions
Do you keep nursing to regulate their big emotions, or your own?
If a big upset at not getting the boob overstimulates you, try wearing ear plugs to reduce the noise.
It will help you stay calmer in the storm so they can regulate to you, rather you to them.
Learn new parenting strategies to use alongside nursing
A great starting strategy is to "play with purpose."
Sometimes when they ask for milk, they really want connection.
Instead of "no," try, "It's not time for milk, but I really want to spend time with you. What do you want to play?"
How do I get the course?
Where do I watch the course?
How long do I have access to the course?
Where to go from here
