Breast feeding and the older child can be uncomfortable, only
if mom is. The older child is curious about breast feeding. Older child soon loses that
curiosity with mom's attention to the older child in other ways. While baby breastfeeds.
or nurses is an excellent time for quiet attention to older child. Play games, read, etc.,
to older child while baby is breast fed.
Breast Feeding and the Older Child
Curiosity
There is probably no harm in an older child watching mom breast feed. If,
however, it makes you uncomfortable, nurse discreetly so the child does not pick up
your discomfort.
If the older child or toddler catches a glimpse, stares, or reaches out to
touch, don't overreact. You don't want to give a child that there is something shameful or
unclean about the human body or its functions.
Exhibitionism is another story, however. It could lead to stimulation or
unhealthy attitudes toward sexuality.
The time that you spend breast feeding your baby is a good time to spend game
playing or in another quiet activity with the older child.
Wants breast milk, too.
When the older child asks for breast milk, too, you may be puzzled about how to
handle it. Explaining that this is baby food and does not even taste good to children may
suffice. Offer to give him/her a glass of milk or juice and extra attention while you feed
the baby. If you express milk, a small glass of expressed milk will probably be the cure.
If you are comfortable in offering milk from the breast to a young child, under
three or four years of age, do so. He/she will probably be cured by the warm, watery
taste and/or the amount of work necessary to get that milk out of the breast.
A child older than four should probably not be allowed to taste milk directly
from mother's breast but can taste expressed milk. Be assured breast milk does not taste
good. My son was quick to spit it out while making an awful face.
Again, giving the older child attention while you are breast feeding and plenty
of hugging and cuddling while you are not helps the older child get over a feeling of
"attention deprivation" that usually accompanies the birth of a younger child.
Try reading, playing a game, working a puzzle, or just cuddling with the other
arm. This is usually what the older child really wants, particularly after the first
curiosity is satisfied.
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