When does extended breastfeeding become weird....

pinkclouds

AimeesMum wrote: »

I have had several comments made to me recently about how it really is time to stop breastfeeding my son now. He is 14 months old. I work during the day so he is bottle feed (cow's milk) and eats solids like a typical toddler but has a breastfeed before his bed and once still during the night.

I breastfed my daughter until she was 8 months when she self weaned. My son doesn't show any sign of self weaning.

What are your opinions on extended breastfeeding?

It becomes weird when *you* think it's weird. Don't take other people's comments on board. The WHO advocate a minimum of 2 years. You are the mom and should make your own decision, based on what is best for your child and yourself.

I personally know people who are still breastfed their child at 5 years old (although we're talking one quick feed only) and people who fully weaned their child at 10 months old. They are all good moms who care deeply about their kids, feed them a balanced diet and have healthy, happy, confident kids.

When breastfeeding is no longer right for you - because you have to work, your milk supply is dwindling, it's become an irritation, your child isn't interested, you need to take meds, etc - then it's the right time to stop. I *assure* you, you *will* know. If you wait for your child to self-wean then there will come a time when they no longer want to nurse, when they lose interest, when the milk doesn't seem to let down for them (even if you are still nursing a younger child)... It may be sooner or it may be later but it *will* happen. However, if you need to encourage earlier weaning, then there are lots of safe, gentle methods of doing so e.g. "don't offer, don't refuse", distraction techniques, etc.

You've already done this with one child. Have faith in yourself that you can do this with your second child. They are both different little people. Your boy won't be disadvantaged by weaning later than his sister! In a few years' time, you won't see any difference and no one will know unless you tell them. Alas, the baby and toddler years really do not last forever even if you want them to... Of all the moms I know, complete weaning seems to occur by around 4-5 years old at the latest - usually earlier, in some cases significantly earlier, but with no ill effects to mom or child regardless of age. The early weaners seem to be under 2 years old and the late weaners seem to be over 3 years old... don't know what is so special about the 2-3 years old stage that weaning goes out the window! lol

fluffnutter

When they're planning their own wedding.

ziggy2004

It becomes weird when either mother or child do not want the feeding to continue.

Breastmilk continues to be full of nutrients. It does not magically turn into coke at an arbitrary date.

Biologically it is very normal to breastfeed for 'extended' periods.

The longest I have breastfed for so far is 22 months when it became uncomfortable for me and I decided to wean him.

Kelly mom has some great resources and facts

plumtreebabe

I breastfed my daughter until she was nearly 3 - it isn't only about nutrition, it's about health. During that whole time she never got sickness or diarrhoea. I never once used a bottle or artificial formula, and I let her self-wean from around 5 months, when she didn't have any home or factory made baby food, but chunky food that she could suck on or 'gnaw' with her emerging teeth. It should be done for as long as you are both happy about it and I would never criticise anyone for not doing it for very long, but I alwas feel sad to hear people suffering from pressure from others who think they should stop or think they should continue - it is a personal thing.

neneromanova

for me, it's weird when the child is over 3. especially when the child is 8! I hated that video!

righter

I breast fed all but the first one to ,about,age 4..one nearer to 5.

The are huge psychological benefits as well. toddler tantrums were fewer. They all naturally weaned onto food as well,and we did not need to puree food since they ate it much later than most children. The were able to help themselves from my plate.

BUT...you cannot,nor should you,do it,if it makes you feel uncomfortable.

Ihad failed to breast feed my first son beyond 8 weeks (due to the "just give him a bottle occasionally" advice..from my mother) so,i was determined to be more successful with my second child. So I attended La Leche league meetings.

artichoke

hi

My kids are 15 months apart (one ivf one a wonderful suprise) and i tandem fed them once DS was born.... and both stopped around 3and an half.

Mine only carried on with a middle of the night feed / early morning feed if they woke up and came into our bed before we wanted to get up...and a feed if they were really hurt / upset at other times.

We stopped when they were both about 3 and a half...both are really healthy and now sleep happily in their bunk beds until morning time...so we did not "make a rod for our own backs" by breastfeeding and co-sleeping ..

Just wean when you are ready.... if you are only feeding at night / at home no body needs to know anyway - just do what feels right to you and your family..

Art

peachyprice

shirlgirl2004 wrote: »

As the World Health Organisation recommend at least 2 years then before that should be totally normal.

That guideline is from a nutritional POV and incorporates children in the developing world where there is little other good food, not necessarily for children in the developed world who have access to good quality food long before that.

IMO it gets weird when they start pre-school, 3.5ish. Before that they are still only babies and while definitley not needing the nutrition still need the comfort.

Gillyx

Can't say it really bothers me too much with older children, as long as it's done in the privacy of their own surroundings. Women breast feeding their babies, i.e children 2 years and under in public really doesn't bother me and I'm hoping to do the same with my son when he's here, but I would feel uncomfortable in a public place if someone was breast feeding a 5 year old.

shirlgirl2004

peachyprice wrote: »

That guideline is from a nutritional POV and incorporates children in the developing world where there is little other good food, not necessarily for children in the developed world who have access to good quality food long before that.

IMO it gets weird when they start pre-school, 3.5ish. Before that they are still only babies and while definitley not needing the nutrition still need the comfort.

Yes it does incorporate all communities but if they felt there was a need to differentiate they would. If you saw the junk many parents feed their children in this country then you might question whether the typical uk diet meets all nutritional requirements. Additionally as has already been mentoned it isn't just about nutrition it is also about the health benefits.