Is it normal for a 2.5-year-old to still enjoy breastfeeding and show attachment to the mother's nipple?

Question

I have been breastfeeding my son since he was born up to now at 2 years old. I noticed that he really enjoys being fed and playing with my nipple. When he gets upset and I hold him, he will put his hand in my shirt. I guess it is normal for a breastfeeding child, but I just wonder is it normal?

Answer 1

You can understand why babies and toddlers may do that - your body is the source of their comfort and happiness. It is normal for them to do it, although a more common comfort is sucking the thumb, for example.

As far as what age you may expect them to do it, this is entirely dependent on culture. Some cultures accept breastfeeding to quite an advanced age, others wean as early as possible - and habits like this track with weaning.

If it makes you uncomfortable, you could think about dissuading the activity, especially if your culture will not accept it in public.

At the end of the day, they will stop at some point, so you can guide this point. And provide other comfort as needed, which could be cuddles where you encourage him to keep his hands to himself, or hold a toy etc.

Answer 2

The "twiddling" is very common. All four of my nurslings did it (the last is still doing it, at 1.5 years). When I was active on a discussion board for nursing mothers, I recall a couple of mothers who had weaned their children from nursing, but whose toddlers would still reach inside their shirts when in need of comfort. At least one of these was old enough to verbally ask for "touchums" (or something similar) when she needed this.

If the twiddling doesn't bother you, don't worry about it; if it does bother you for any reason, you can work on limiting it. Other websites, more dedicated to issues of extended breastfeeding, may be a good place to start for ideas on how to do so.