Expert: Joanna Liberty - 2/4/2012

Question
hi i have a 15 mth old and iam 16wks pregant my 15 mth old will not drink anything from a bottle i have tryed heaps of different milks even breast she will drink out of 1 sort of sippy cup and i also tryed milk in that to but no good she also sleep with me and wakes up a few times over night just for the breast it is so stressing i don't get much sleep my breast are heaps sore all the time and my baby is very clingy and she is sooky when iam not feeding her or in the same room plz help

Answer
Congratulations on your pregnancy and for breastfeeding over a year!

Your 15 month old does not need to take milk by bottle - if she likes using a sippy cup for milk, that's totally fine! I would encourage you to look for the book called "Adventures in Tandem Nursing" - it has a plethora of information about having 2 babies nursing at the same time.

Pregnancy does not mean that you have to wean. You may feel fidgety or uncomfortable nursing during pregnancy, but some mothers find that goes away.

I can definitely relate to your feelings about frustration from being so tired with her waking up at night. Sometimes when we change the breastfeeding relationship during the day our babies will try to get the milk and the closeness from the relationship at night. She's not nursing just for nutrition and thirst - she also nurses to feel comfortable and close to you.

The changes during pregnancy can be difficult and she may not be ready to wean yet. I would encourage you to contact a La Leche League leader near you - or you can find them online at http//www.llli.org to find out more information. They can help you with the adjustment whether you decide to wean or not.