Trouble Breastfeeding with Crazy 2 Year Old

Don't switch to formula if it's avoidable. Can you breast feed in her room, or somewhere that she can't get into trouble. Since she's probably trying to get attention, it seems reasonable to create an environment where she can't get into trouble.

Unless you are willing to prop bottles I don't see how switching will help.

Have you considered putting your two year old in a crib or highchair during the feedings? You could move a portable play pen into the living room or wherever you like to nurse. Also, putting the highchair in front of the tv makes it a little easier.

Discipline her and teach her that when you're nursing, she needs to play nicely. Be consistent and compliment her and love her when you're finished nursing. Be creative and reward her with some special one on one time when you're finished nursing baby. Good luck and congratulations!!

My first thought was to put her in a high chair or play pen just before you need to feed the baby as SLM has suggested. Do you have a neighbor who is home most of the day and would be willing to come over when you call, to just play with her and keep her busy for a few minutes while you nurse. After a few days maybe she wouldnt be so jealous of the time you are spending with her brother. If I was your neighbor, Id be there anytime you asked. lol.. I have a neighbor with 3 girls, 9, 4 and 2, and a baby boy now and I saw how she had to juggle toddler, preschooler, and infant those first few weeks. Her oldest daughter was a good help, but I did get to have fun grabbing the youngest and making some time for her while M. tried to take a breath and relax to feed the little guy. Its all good now for them. You just need to get her over this first few months.

Try ignoring her. Show her that her behavior is not going to get attention since that is what she is seeking. Make sure everything is toddler proof so she can't hurt herself. Formula won't help b/c you still have to give him a bottle to feed him.
If that doesn't work, put a tall gate up in her room and tell her gently if she can't play nice while your feeding "name" then she will have to play in her room for a little bit.
If she wants attention, you can also try subtly playing with her. Like she can sit next to you with a book and show each other pictures or color while your feeding him.

I agree with Jaimee K.
Your baby needs his special time too. Not sure why switching to formula would help, you'd still need to sit down and feed him a bottle (?)
Instead of raising your voice, just ignore her behavior until you are done feeding the baby (unless she's doing something dangerous of course.)
Good luck :)

I seriously would have a 5 point harness car seat in my home and when I went to nurse, I'd put the toddler in the car seat, with a movie on in the same room I was and nursed.

It's a short term lack of freedom, the newest member of the family gets some one on one attention they need AND superior nutrition to boot - and the middle or older child understands that this time is special and acting up or seeking attention at this time isn't appropriate behavior. You will not have to do this long, because the child quickly understands that acting out isn't going to be tolerated while Mommy is nursing the baby,

I think I just answered another post like this, but I ended up nursing my twins only at night because my two year old was so destructive and crazy while nursing them! I bottle fed them during the day and nursed them at night and didn't have a problem with milk reduction. Or you can try getting a moby wrap or another carrier that you can nurse him in while allowing you to walk around and move quickly when she's colouring on walls in front of you, for instance. It's very hard on you, though, so if you have to move to formula, don't beat yourself up for it!

I agree with the prior posts that you should try to focus on maintaining breastfeeding the baby and let it be known to your 2 yr old that she's not going to ruin/interrupt that.

What did she do (alone) before your baby came? I imagine that she had some favorite activities.

Is she still using a high chair? Any chance of clicking her into that and coloring? Or putting on a "special" video?

One thing that really helped us at this same stage was giving our oldest her own baby to "take care of". She'd feed, change and wash her baby just like I did mine. She even would lift her shirt to nurse her baby!!!

I'd suggest a hard plastic baby doll that opens and closes it's eyes. We bought her some newborn/preemie diapers too. The hard plastic (as opposed to fabric) could easily be put into bathwater, rubbed lotion on, etc. This not only helped to refocus her energy, but she learned to be "gentle" to her baby and do things with it, so that I could take care of our baby without interruption.

Also, two other suggestions. 1) Try to "run the energy out of her" early in the morning. That was a lifesaver in helping to have a mellower child for the rest of the day. Esp since you have an older sibling, try to get them outside in a pool or running around with some new summer toys while you sit in the shade. 2) Have some "special" activities that teach her to SIT STILL and try to focus. It's all about "training". Teach her that when the baby naps (say after lunch or right before dinner), that she gets to take out a "special" arts n crafts project. This did wonders for giving my older child some undivided attention and something special that the baby wasn't allowed to have. They think everyone's giving the baby attention, gifts, etc. So help her to feel like a "big girl". And when the baby wakes up, it's time to clean up so the baby doesn't "get it".

We had Color Wonder paints, a preschool workbook, dot to dots, and play doh sets. They ONLY came out during this "special time" so that they stayed "special toys". She really got the idea that afternoon naptime for the baby was HER time with mom.

I think this really helped her to not only feel like she got my attention, but it taught her to sit still and do an activity quietly (great prep for preschool!).

Finally, one last "trick" I learned was occasionally tell the BABY "You need to wait your turn. I'm helping Susie right now." Now of course, the baby doesn't understand. But the older children will get the idea that EVERYONE gets a turn and Moms attention. And sometimes, they will have to "wait their turn" and other times the baby will need to "wait his turn". Again, this went MILES to help the older kids to understand that sometimes, they'll just have to wait. (Esp if they know their turn is coming.)

Best wishes. Let us know how it goes.

Updated

I agree with the prior posts that you should try to focus on maintaining breastfeeding the baby and let it be known to your 2 yr old that she's not going to ruin/interrupt that.

What did she do (alone) before your baby came? I imagine that she had some favorite activities.

Is she still using a high chair? Any chance of clicking her into that and coloring? Or putting on a "special" video?

One thing that really helped us at this same stage was giving our oldest her own baby to "take care of". She'd feed, change and wash her baby just like I did mine. She even would lift her shirt to nurse her baby!!!

I'd suggest a hard plastic baby doll that opens and closes it's eyes. We bought her some newborn/preemie diapers too. The hard plastic (as opposed to fabric) could easily be put into bathwater, rubbed lotion on, etc. This not only helped to refocus her energy, but she learned to be "gentle" to her baby and do things with it, so that I could take care of our baby without interruption.

Also, two other suggestions. 1) Try to "run the energy out of her" early in the morning. That was a lifesaver in helping to have a mellower child for the rest of the day. Esp since you have an older sibling, try to get them outside in a pool or running around with some new summer toys while you sit in the shade. 2) Have some "special" activities that teach her to SIT STILL and try to focus. It's all about "training". Teach her that when the baby naps (say after lunch or right before dinner), that she gets to take out a "special" arts n crafts project. This did wonders for giving my older child some undivided attention and something special that the baby wasn't allowed to have. They think everyone's giving the baby attention, gifts, etc. So help her to feel like a "big girl". And when the baby wakes up, it's time to clean up so the baby doesn't "get it".

We had Color Wonder paints, a preschool workbook, dot to dots, and play doh sets. They ONLY came out during this "special time" so that they stayed "special toys". She really got the idea that afternoon naptime for the baby was HER time with mom.

I think this really helped her to not only feel like she got my attention, but it taught her to sit still and do an activity quietly (great prep for preschool!).

Finally, one last "trick" I learned was occasionally tell the BABY "You need to wait your turn. I'm helping Susie right now." Now of course, the baby doesn't understand. But the older children will get the idea that EVERYONE gets a turn and Moms attention. And sometimes, they will have to "wait their turn" and other times the baby will need to "wait his turn". Again, this went MILES to help the older kids to understand that sometimes, they'll just have to wait. (Esp if they know their turn is coming.)

Best wishes. Let us know how it goes.

If you have a safe room or playroom to which you can attach a doorway gate do that - put her in the playroom/room, start by spending 10-15 minutes with her playing if you can, and then close the gate and leave her there while you go to nurse. Let her scream or throw tantrums, it is only normal. She will adjust. If you don't have such a space, and if she is unable to climb out of a large pack-n-play or playyard, put her in and nurse withing eyeshot, but not too closeby. Let her scream and throw a tantrum as long as she is safe.

I put my son in the high chair with a snack or an activity. I used stickers or other things he liked to entertain him. It was rough at times but somehow we all survived. I tried to give him lots of attention when the baby was sleeping. I wouls switch to formula. as I am sure you know breast feeding has so many advantages

This is really harsh but you will have to put the 2 year old in her room and latch the door so she cannot get out while you breastfeed your son. It's the same as doing this for a tantrum. She will in time learn that if she wants to be out of the room she has to behave. Leave nothing in the room that can harm her or that she can harm herself with. Yes, she will throw a tantrum but pay attention to your son.
If you have a good neighbor maybe she would take your 2 year old for an hour while you nurse him. Does she still nap in the afternoon? Nap time for her waken your son and nurse him.