Explaining Breastfeeding to Toddler

He may remember a little bit. Just explain it for what it is - it's how babies eat. Their bodies are too young for big kid food. That's how I told my toddler why he wasn't breastfeeding any more. :)

"Mamas and babies are special. Babies grow in the mamas body and get food from inside, and then when they're born, the mama makes milk for the baby. I made milk for you, when you were wee little, and now I'm making milk for your ( brother/sister)."

Keep it really simple. Don't talk about lymph nodes or milk glands... just keep it pertinent to his questions.

And if he pretends to nurse babies, just smile and say "You like taking care of baby too." Some little boys don't care whether they can *really* make milk, they just want to play a loving pretend game. They can be very sweet, sometimes!

"Some mommy's give babies bottles. Some mommy's nurse. The milk comes out of mommy and feeds the baby! Isn't that awsome!?" That's how I explained it. Nothing to be embarassed about, it's completely normal.

Just tell him that Mommies feed their babies from their bodies for as long as possible. My daughter breastfed for a very long time - until 4.5 years old... and when she sees babies with bottles she either doesn't say anything or sadly says "Poor baby isn't getting any Mommy juice."

I had my 2nd child when my daughter was 3 years old, and soon turned 4 afterward.

I told her I breastfed her (which she remembered and knows what it is), and that I will do the same with her baby brother.

There is nothing to 'explain.' It just is.

I also had pictures of her on my lap, on her boppy pillow, for nursing.
But she remembered.

It will be fine.
No biggie.

Maybe get him a doll too, so he can 'care' for it too.

there is an awesome Sesame Street clip of Maria breastfeeding. Not that I think you should only teach your child with tv, but if you want to show him an example of it before he sees you do it, I've seen it on you tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFNwbc0X7GI

I think he'll be curious but he probably won't think it's odd. A simple explanation of, "This is how newborn babies get their milk," would probably satisfy his curiousity.

I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well. Congratulations.

My boys were spaced three and a half years apart. I told the my oldest that mommies make special milk for babies. He seemed fine with my answer. When my daughter was born six years later, both boys knowing that they were breast fed, just went with the flow of things. I don't remember explaining anything to the then 6 and 10 year old.

Good luck and congratulations!

My home visiting nurse told me to prepare child for arrival of new baby. She brought videos for me to watch on breastfeeding since with my first he was a preemie and i just pumped. He watched the video with me, my fiance, and the nurse. I just explained to him that that is the way that babies eat. but ONLY babies eat that way. U have to be specific that NO ONE ELSE eats that way. Just keep him educated on stuff that u will be doing around him. Now that my second son was born, he always says baby eating, and i say yes and say who eats like this... he responds babies.... so just explain that only baby eats like that. if he asks why just say because he is new and cant do anything for himself like u can... can u feed urself? baby cant..... and so on.. i have a 3 1/2 year old and it worked with him,,,,,,,,, hope this helps!

All I told my son when he was 22 mo that is how he eats, since we don't have any baby bottles anymore.
That brings back memories of when he told my parents and inlaws "Mama feeds him with her milkers" LOL. I was embarrassed and ten shades of red.

Show him how animals do it. Maybe a local farm? Petting zoo/fair? Even on t.v. All mammals do it! Make it an entire educational experience of how all mammals are alike - we are warm blooded, have hair and drink our mommies milk!

I wouldn't worry about it. He won't think it is strange. I nursed all my kids, and the boys didn't seem to even really notice. My oldest was 20 months when #2 came, he didn't say anything (he had lots of words at that point). My second was almost 2 when #3 came along, and we read books with babies and I just told him mommies nurse their babies. He thought I fed her through my belly button, but once we cleared that up, we were fine :)