Breast Feeding

Katherine - posted on 05/26/2010

@ Amanda -- you'll know if she's getting enough fluids by how wet her diapers are... my daughter has the same birthday and just gets water and whole milk now.

@ Dee -- I had to stop when I got pregnant again when she was 9 months, I don't know how moms keep their supply up to tandem nurse. I was sad to be forced to stop but it was very easy and uneventful. Though right after stopping, she got sick for the first time, so bf-ing does seem to have the benefits you hear about...

Amanda - posted on 05/17/2010

I'm worried my daughter isnt getting enough. she turned one april23rd, and nurses 4 times a day, she takes solids for 3 meals a day plus snacks. When I work she refuses her bottles. Do you think she is getting enough? At what point do I give her milk or something in addition to replace my milk?

Jerrizza - posted on 04/18/2010

and for adding up...breastfeeding is not for hungry babies..there is a lot to give..when she needs comfort,when bored,if she wants to fall asleep..and at last..is a great way of bonding..

Jerrizza - posted on 04/18/2010

laura is right..it is really amazing how baby's know that they are loved..especially when your breastfeeding them..the happiness is so priceless..my daughter just turned 1 on april 3,,and im still breastfeed her..for me as long as she wants to..im ready for it..even if sometimes we have difficulties,,its all gone once they hug and kisses you..and besides..thats whats mother do..""Sacrifice"...

Chrissy - posted on 04/18/2010

Congratulations to all of you moms that got to breastfeed this long. I breastfed my son for 2 months but my OBGYN put me on a birth control pill that dried me up. I really wanted to breastfeed longer but didn't get to. Way to go moms.

Heidi - posted on 04/17/2010

There is nothing wrong with breastfeeding after age one or with your daughter being fond of breastfeeding. You will know the right time to wean because you will be ready and so will she. In the meantime, breastfeeding is one of the best ways I know to bond with your child, comfort her when she cries, put her to sleep for naps and at night, and provide the additional calories she needs until she is eating enough solids on her own. Who would want to give up such a wonderful God-given asset unless it is no longer needed and/or they are good and ready? Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Michelle - posted on 04/17/2010

there is no wrong time to quit, its between you and her really when you are ready and she is too. my son will be 1 on the 24th and i will still breastfeed him maybe even until 2 years old. its good for them and for you. if you are uncomfortable doing after 12 months then the easiest way to wean is to replace 1-3 feedings per week with a bottle or a cup, and then keep doing this until she only wants it at bedtime or nap time, then it will be difficult at that time but just introduce the straw, sippy whatever and then eventually you will have to just let her cry it off and make her use anither sourse and thats really the only way i got the breast or bottle away from my kids. but you can breastfeed as long as you would bottle feed your child. dont let anyone talk you out of breastfeeding if you want to continue, its a really healthy choice and from my experience cows milk is hard on them at 1 yr.... good luck i hope you choose whats right for you and baby.

Nicole - posted on 04/17/2010

You don't need to make her stop just because she is fond of it :) It's great that she enjoys it. I let my son wean himself, and my 1 year old daughter will be allowed to do the same. Personally I don't feel that you should HAVE to stop them, so long as you're both happy :)
Don't let un-informed moms scare you out of breastfeeding for as long as you both want :)

Brenna - posted on 04/17/2010

My goal has always been, nurse until 2, or until they self-wean, whichever comes first. My son self-weaned at about 20 months, but my daughter (just turned 1 today) has been more and more interested in solids. She still nurses, but the amount has greatly decreased (she really only wants to nurse during the night now), and I'm a little worried about her stopping before I'm ready for her to. But if she's done, then she's done, and I'm glad I had the time I did.

Jessica - posted on 04/17/2010

It´s funny but my son just didn´t want to breastfeed anymore when he was 9 months, he stopped by himself, and OF COURSE I didn´t force him, it was his time, and I respected it.
I think kids tell you when they are ready.

Ashley - posted on 04/16/2010

I wouls say allow her to self- wean unless you want to be done with it. or you can do it slowly. start out with skipping an early feeding n go right to solids for breakfast. see how she does for about 2-3 weeks and go from there.... :) good luck!

Stina - posted on 04/16/2010

The best time to wean is when you and the baby are ready. My dd is still a big fan of nursing and I hope to nurse her till her 2nd birthday unless she decides to wean earlier. When we approach her 2nd b-day, if she's not showing signs of weaning, I may encourage the process then... but I may nurse her past her 2nd b-day. Just waiting to see. I nursed my first baby till a year when he gave it up on his own. And my second baby, I nursed till around 10 mo when we did a mutual wean- she was losing interest and had a poor latch that was painful when her teeth came in- and I was ready to let her drink from bottles and sippy cups more than from me.

If you want to start the weaning process, start with one session and offer your child a sippy cup of expressed milk or formula. I found it easiest to start with mealtimes. Go slowly for your own comfort and to make it easier for your daughter. For the non mealtime sessions, substitute a story- or other activity that gives opportunity for cuddling... if it's an appropriate snack time, you could also offer a snack and a drink instead of a chance to nurse.

If you want to let her self wean, you can be confident that eventually she will reach point where she wants more independence from you and won't need to nurse for the closeness with you any more. If allowed to, all kids will naturally wean themselves when they are ready.

Joanne - posted on 04/16/2010

my daughter will be 1 on the same day, 21st April. I have been gradually weaning her since she turned 11months, to make it easier for her to switch and also less painful for me (didnt want the pain of get engorged breasts)
First I only breast fed her 1st morning feed & bedtime feed for a week, then cut down to just the night feed also for a week, then did everyother days night feed & now she just has a bottle.
I had no problems with weaning her, I know that some people will reply saying Im selfish for stopping breastfeeding but its what I wanted to do & I lasted a year where some people never even bother to try. I personally dont agree with self weaning, as some people end up feeding their child until their like 3yrs old, or some even beyond that, which I think is wrong.

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/13/2010

everything ive read is that if you let them do what comes naturally then when theyre done, it is natural and therefore uneventful.
most just drop feedings on their own til one day you realize theey didnt nurse at all. when we try to force our kids to do things that are unnatural it is hard. when we guide them through life with support for their needs then it goes easy. comfort is a need. especially for a toddler as they explore and find out that they are a seperate being from their mom. they NEED to have a safe place to come back to when they are getting scared or over stimulated. nursing is the natural way for toddlers to become independent. they are assured that they can go forward and explore because they are confident that mommy will let them unwind by nursing. weaned toddlers are often clingy and whiny and demanding if their moms arent diligent in thinking up different ways to acheive the purpose of nursing.

yes you can have a perfectly healthy independent weaned toddler but most dont want to take the risks when it comes to our babies.

Casey - posted on 04/13/2010

Hi-
I'm nursing both my kids- 12mo & 28mo until they self wean also. They don't nurse on demand- we have a set routine (first thing in am, before nap, 3 or 4 ish for my 1y/o & bed time). This works for us. We have had an easy go with my son's (2y/o) bedtime routine by waiting until he was ready to get himself to sleep, so waiting until they are ready to wean themselves makes sense to us. Some books do say theat if you let these sorts of things go on, it'll be harder to break the habits- that hasn't been our experience. All kids are different- look for signs that she is ready & do what's best for her. That's what I think : )

Andrea - posted on 04/12/2010

When I first started I was just going to breast feed my boy until he self weaned, especially since my mom said all 6 of her kids self weaned by 13 months; but now we are expecting another in 3 1/2 months and I am already exhausted so I plan to start weaning him after he turns 1, which will be in about a week and a half. I know some women continue and feed 2 at once but I just don't think I'm that dedicated. Besides that he loves his solid foods and I don't think he will miss it all that much, except at nap and night time since he asks for it mostly when he is tired. I have heard that it is harder to wean them once they are older because it becomes more of a soother (like a pacifier) than a hunger thing.

Dee - posted on 04/12/2010

Thank you so very much to all the moms who responded to my post on breast feeding i truly appreciate your contributions have been so helpful, thanx a lot Dee

Lisa - posted on 04/11/2010

My daughter turned 1 on April 4th and I started to wean her a week prior to her b-day. I cut out 1 feeding each day for the first couple of days, until we were down to feeding at only naptime and nighttime. It was easier than I thought. I just distracted her by playing with toys, going on walks and playing outside. She had her moments of sadness and it broke my heart, but that lasted all of 2 days and she's now weaned :) I thought about letting her self wean, but her doctor informed me that it's definitely more difficult past the 1 year mark. We plan on expanding our family, so I chose to do it at 12 mos. I do miss the time spent nursing her, but we still have a strong bond. She's too young to resent and understand at this point...the older they are, the tougher it will be.

Amy - posted on 04/11/2010

That may be difficult. I know alot of moms who their child is 4-5 and they come over to her and lift her shirt up and want it. You better wean her from you when U want not when they do.

I'm going to guess that this Mom did not breastfeed or if she did didn't until her child was 6 months or older. My son is a year old and he still nurses three times a day. They will get to a point when nursing is not of an interest and will decide to stop. If they get to be 4 or 5 you can wean them yourself if that's what you want. I plan on nursing until Ryan decides to stop. The value outweighs anything else.

Amber - posted on 04/11/2010

My little boy is 1 on the 25th and I was all for feeding him till he was at least 18months to 2, however he had other ideas and self weaned at 10.5 months, we skipped the formula and he has soy milk and loves it. While I was a bit upset that he self weaned, that is what it's all about I guess, letting them go at their own pace. I'm sure your little one will be the same, enjoy all the breastfeeding cuddles while you can it's one of the nicest part of being a mum!

Alex - posted on 04/11/2010

oh its such a tough one Dee. My daughter is 1 on 18 April and i am having the same dilema. I love the bond we have and how well it settles her when she is upset / ill etc, but i also worry about if i keep going it will be sooo hard to wean her when she is older. I swing between weaning her as soon as she is 1 - then next day i think i will let nature to take its course and leave her to self wean. At the moment she gets a feed from me in the morning and before bed, but not every day - if we sleep in we go straight to breakfast and is she is very tired she falls asleep without nursing... so i think i could stop pretty easily just now.... oh who knows...

good luck with whatever you decide to do!
Alex
x

Fiona - posted on 04/11/2010

I should add that, with the babies who weaned during the next pregnancy, I would've been happy to feed them throughout the pregnancy etc but they weaned themselves...

Fiona - posted on 04/11/2010

Breastfeeding is so beneficial for a baby and the benefits don't stop at age 1. I fed mine until 19 months, 2 years, 3 1/2 years and still feeding my baby who just turned one on April 9th, even though I'm 25 weeks pregnant with her younger sibling.
The first 2 weaned due to me being pregnant with the next child. The third one got to feed til 3 1/2 as no pregnancy followed to stop him. Mind you, though I'm on the side of child weaning, I 'encouraged' him to wean at that age, as I was a bit over it, by then.
Ignore the comments from well-meaning but ignorant people that you'll meet who tell you that you'll never wean them and that they are too old for it. Yes, there are freaky stories of mums who feed until their kids are 9 or something but that's rare and...really...their own business. Good on you for feeding so long, this far!

Kimberly - posted on 04/09/2010

I breastfed my son till he was 17 months and it was so hard to wean him. He was so attached to it that he would get mad at me, try to pull my shirt up, and started asking for it. I just weaned my daughter who turned one yesterday and it was so much easier. But each mom and baby needs to do what is best for them, I just know the older they get the harder it is to stop.

Adriann - posted on 04/09/2010

My one year old shows no signs of self weaning. I'm also bf'ding while pregnant. I bf'ed my olderst until 22 months, and I plan to do the same for the this one and the one on the way as well. They really do benefit from extended breastfeeding. I know what you mean about people thinking you're crazy. But, as long as my husband supports me I don't care what others think. Good luck on your journery!

Janine - posted on 04/09/2010

That may be difficult. I know alot of moms who their child is 4-5 and they come over to her and lift her shirt up and want it. You better wean her from you when U want not when they do.

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/08/2010

If you wait to wean her until she is ready to wean it won't be hard at all! You should read the book :mothering your nursing toddler: it is awesome and really encouraging. It says that in the toddler years breastfeeding has even more emotional benifits. So she likes it more because it is a way she feels love from you. It is a one on one ting between you two and she won't like you refusing her because she views it as love. So I'm planning on nursing till Eric quits but I forsee him going til he is 2 1/2 so I will probably nurse throughmy next pregnancy and most likely tandom nurse til Eric is done with it. Goodluck and I hope you keep at it!

Ps fun fact: breastfeeding reduces your risk for breast cancer and the longer you breastfeed the lower your risk gets!

Teresa - posted on 04/08/2010

I breastfed my oldest for 17 months and it was hard to wean him. Finally, my mom took him for a weekend; we lived in different states at the time. good luck, My almost 1 year old is almost weaning himself. He will nurse in the morning, bedtime,and sometimes after supper. You have to do it when you are both ready. Good luck

Maria - posted on 04/08/2010

We are self weaning. Rosa is 1 on the 20th and gradually asking for less milky snack (she signs for it!). She probably has about four feeds a day. I think she is now much less interested in her mid morning one now so will prob go down to three soon. I am glad I have put trust in my baby to know what is best for her. Best wishes Dee- and well done for sticking with it! Your baby will be all the better off for it. Maria :-)

Courtney - posted on 04/08/2010

My little girl will be one on the 20th April, I am still feeding her. I don't let her demand feed, but have routines in place. She feeds first thing in the morning, one in the arvo around 4pm and one before bed. Slowly I am taking feeds away. I fed my first daughter until she was 15 months old, they will let you know when they have had enough!!

Well done, and good luck!

Lucy - posted on 04/08/2010

Im planning on breastfeeding Amelia untill she self weans.

Dee - posted on 04/08/2010

Hi Brandi, thank you so much for the reply to my breast feeding question. i now have the confidence to do it until my baby self-weans herself other moms used to make me feel bad by saying the earlier i wean her the better but i guess you are right when you say it all depends on me. thanx a lot again

Brandi - posted on 04/06/2010

It depends on you - the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends until age 1, the World Health Organization recommends until age 2, the world-wide average age of weaning is age 3. Health benefits continue for both you and your daughter until you wean, but this is a very personal decision on your part. I would encourage you to breastfeed until you want to wean, not being influenced by others around you to stop before you are ready. My son will be 1 on April 25th, I plan on continuing until he is 2 or 3, or if he self-weans before then (even with planning on trying to have another child by the time he is 2). A good resource for information on breastfeeding a toddler would be the La Leche League. Hope this helps with your decision!