Exclusive Breastfeeding

Melissa - posted on 05/26/2009

Also if fats what you want pump your bm let it settle in the fridge the scoop the fatty part off the top add it too another bottle, there you go double the fat for childen who do not gain weight well and is great for moms who dont want to use formula to top up or to put on weight as it can constipate the child

Melissa - posted on 05/26/2009

Quoting Teresa:

 They need the fat from cow's milk...

Actually it was posted somewhere (sorry, don't know which resource) that breastmilk has more fat than cow's milk.  Weaning at a year is fine if that's what you want, but cow's milk is not better for them in any way.

I actually posted that as someone was saying to start a 3month old on cow milk and trying to prove a point I found it by googling compare cow milk or compare formula it anyway compares formulas, goats mil, cows milk, breast milk and so on I will look for it again it was great

Melissa - posted on 05/26/2009

I did do this it was great till I was going back to work my daughter was 1 and a half yrs old and refused to quit and refused any other milk I still can not get her to ddrink milk but she likes everything else she is in no way picky so with my son I have offered formulas here and there so the taste is not forieg I guess I just have to tryr after what happened with my daughter... I even had to sleep with caution as shed sneak in to get a breast feed needless to say she was 2 atleast when we quit. No one else had these kind of problems weaning most kids did wean themselves so this is not to frighten you

Sylvia - posted on 05/23/2009

I did for one year and will miss the bonding. But I read that beyond 1yr, children more than what breastmilk provides. Best to ask yr doctor.

Kayli - posted on 05/23/2009

Thank you Jessica & Mindy. I'll get that book.

Mindy - posted on 05/22/2009

definatly read the womanly art of breastfeeding and nursing past a year is very good for your child your milk changes as your baby grows to toddler milk that has more fat and protien in it than when they were babies and the imunological benefits continue as long as you are nursing. They do not end at 6 months as some sources have said recently.

Jessica - posted on 05/22/2009

Try a book called "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding". It is a great resource, and they strongly encourage breastfeeding as long as you want. La Leche League is also a good resource. Of course it is still healthy to breastfeed past a year, I would guess the only problem you may encounter are modern prejudices against breastfeeding a toddler. But I think it is great! Good luck!

Kayli - posted on 05/22/2009

Thank you everyone for your comments. When I say exclusively I mean breastmilk only. From what I've researched & talked to my pediatrician about there is no need whatsoever to start introducing solids at 6 months. My pediatrician said I can give her only breastmilk till she's 2 if I so choose. I want to & he said we'll just keep an eye on her health & weight. If she isn't healthy I'll start putting her on solids.

For the other part of knowing if they're ready, if she is wanting table food, I am obviously not going to deny her it. But simply because at 5 months old she is reaching for my food does not mean she wants to eat it. Babies mouths are the way they discover things & their world. So if a baby is teething & discovering everything she grabs goes to her mouth. So if she's also grabbing for the paper napkin on the table, I should feed her solids? No I don't think so.

I am upset that so many people in the US try to force BF mothers to stop at 6 mo. That at 6 months your milk is "no good." I encourage everyone who thinks that to just do some research on the internet, such as breastfeeding.com & you'll find that your breastmilk is good beyond 1 yr. I got a couple of books on it too. But it has been discouraging to tell people what I am doing and they criticize me & tell me what I'm doing wrong. I hope it changes in the US soon.

Plus its not an inconvenience to me to put my daughter on the breast to feed her. Its a joy to know that my body is what is providing her w/ nutrients that she needs to survive. If you move a 6 mo old to solids & they are fully on solids by the time they are 8 mo. you still have to take time during the meal to stop & feed them. They can't feed themselves at that point. Besides when I go someplace, all I have to make sure I have is my boobs & I always have those on hand.

Suddenly, though I feel a need to move to Australia. haha.

Also thanks Vanessa for your encouraging & helpful response!

Julie - posted on 05/22/2009

Quoting Vanessa:

congratualtions on mothering your child your way!

unfortunately breastfeeding knowledge is very poor in the older generations that mothered their babies in the 50's, 60's and 70's......formula was so widely pushed and thought to be BETTER than breastmilk in someplaces around the world (sad, but true). my grandmother once asked me if i thought my milk still had any "strength" in it.......LOL.....poor granny, she didn't know any better, she's old school where they told people their milk was "too thin"......lucky despite her lack of knowledge about breatfeeding she has still been very supportive and thinks its great now.

mother in laws can be a right pain in the neck! maybe you could print off some info on the benefits of extened breastfeeding and put it under her nose........hehehe!

keep it up.....the benefits will last your daughter a lifetime.

I hear ya, Vanessa!  My mom-in-law admitted that it wasn't what she was used to and that's why it seemed so strange.  I understand we've been brought up with different schools of thought, even my mother was a bit leery when I told her I was intending on weaning my daughter when she was ready, even if it meant she was 3 or 4 years old.  She weaned me by about 7 months.  I just didn't expect her (mother-in-law, not mother) to laugh maliciously in my face to try to make me feel bad! :(

I found out the following day, she brought it up with my husband, asking if he was aware that I was planning on BF for that long.  He told her that we'd both agreed to do it because everything we read about it leads us to believe it's what's best for our daughter.  At the end of the day, cultural/societal stigmas or no, you gotta do what you feel is best for your child, right?

Maybe I'll lend her a book I've got on BF- we've tried to explain it to her, but I think most of us as women have unfortunately had it drummed into our heads that our breasts are primarily sexual organs instead of their true purpose - to nurse our young...  I guess old habits die hard, right?

Peta-Maree - posted on 05/21/2009

Your baby needs iron from about 6 months on for normal brain development. Iron is not passed through the breastmilk.

Sharon - posted on 05/21/2009

hi, you can wean whenever you feel ready to. world health organisation recommends exclusive bf for 6 mths, as in only bm, no other stuff.



but beyond 6 mths, bb may need other nutrients (such as vit d) and other food to feel full.



there are pple who've nursed beyond 2, but you must brace yourself for comments from other pple.

Lydia - posted on 05/20/2009

Kayli, maybe you could clarify if you mean just breastfeeding OR breastfeeding & solids (no formula) ........... the advice may be more specific that way, just a thought.

Miranda - posted on 05/20/2009

I don't have any personal experience with this - but I do have a friend that told me several of her friends held off on solids untill their babies turned one. She said they all turned out fine and eat like champs now. I would advise watching iron levels - maybe discussing it all with your pediatrician.....but it has been done before and worked out for them. I wish I could give you their contact information so you could have some guidance, but I don't know them. Good luck and follow your gut instincts.

Happy Breastfeeding!!

Samantha - posted on 05/20/2009

Isnt it weird that we are the only animal to wean our babies off our milk only to feed them milk from another animal

Guggie - posted on 05/19/2009

I've heard the time to introduce solids is when you see at least 3 of these signs:



1. Can hold head and shoulders up while on tummy.

2. Can sit up unassisted.

3. Can reach for the food/hold it/put it to mouth

4. Is interested in the food and motions for it or babbles for it.

5. Has teeth or is teething/drooling.



Babies don't need solids for nutrition. BUT they do need to be introduced to solid foods for physiological reasons. Babies need to experience a variety of tastes and textures. Their brain is developing and not providing tastes and time to play with foods is similar to not providing them with exciting toys to play with or faces to look at.

Kristen - posted on 05/19/2009

As long as by breastfeeding exclusively you mean not introducing formula. Babies get all that they need from your breast milk, but solids still need to be introduced at around 6 mo. I am also breastfeeding exclusively (my daughter is 2mo) & I honestly cannot wait to get her on solids to maybe free me up some! Try the La leche league or try calling your hospital, they may have someone you can talk to. Good luck!

Tanya - posted on 05/19/2009

I would go with your daughters cues. If she is starting to reach and grab for your food at the table, it is time to start feeding her solids. I think it might be detrimental to her to withhold solids when she is ready.

Marie - posted on 05/19/2009

I plan to BF Alex for as long as he'll take it, which is why I got a prescription for domperidone when my supply dropped off. Alex has been getting cereal (rice, oatmeal, wheat), fruits, jarred baby food, and the last 2 months, we've experimented with whole food like cooked potatoes, meat loaf, shredded chicken, carrots etc. He's still mostly getting jarred food so we know he's gotten a full meal and will sleep through the night (2 BF after the meal).

I nurse him throughout the day. We've had a "schedule" for him since early on, recoginizing that every 2 hours, then 2 hours 10 minutes, eventually every 3 hours instead of every time he fussed. Now he nurses approximately every 3 hours sometimes 4 or 5. I try to put him on to nurse before his nap and sometimes he takes, sometimes he doesn't.

Daddy gives him pumped breastmilk from a sippy cup now because of a late developed form of nipple confusion (he clamps down on me to nurse).

I will nurse as long as Alex wants to nurse. He turned 1 yesterday and is going strong. He had a mini-go after his morning nursing session at 830 then down for his nap by 1045. :)

So far, no negative comments. I haven't heard any nasty stories in Canada about western belief in long term BF, though I have read some horrible stories in the US (some cities have by-laws about nursing in "public"). I think western mothers, pediatricians and families need more education about breastfeeding and its benefits. There are so many myths and stigmas that need to be corrected.

Itsamystery - posted on 05/19/2009

Quoting Tonya:

Umm, like I said before, I am still breastfeeding my son and he will be 1 year next month.  Everyone always looks at me funny and tells me how he's too big to be on the breast.  Does anyone else ever get this?  It's so irritating!  Even my mother goes on and on about it.  I was just curious how everyone else handles this and what kind/type of criticisim you receive.

I live in Australia too and I sometimes breastfeed my 2 year old when we are out or visiting family or friends. I have never been criticised or had funny looks or comments. I think the culture about breastfeeding is a little different (but not perfect) over here. I'm sure there are some people who think to themselves 'what is she doing/he's too old to feed' but they would never say anything. So I can't give you much advice on how to handle it based on experience except to tell you what I'd do if someone gave me that sort of attitude; I'd feed in defiance of the ignorance that creates such an anti-breastfeeding culture. I'd ask them where they got ideas that breastfeeding needs to stop before the child wants it to. I'd give them some of the facts about the benefits of extended breastfeeding. I'd explain why I personally am still doing it. I'd tell them that the WHO recommend breastfeeding until AT LEAST 2 years of age.  For the most part, I'd talk to them, open up, and break down those barriers of ignorance and build up some seeds of education.

And if that didn't work, then I'd tell them that I don't appreciate their scoffing at the greatest gift I'll ever give my child and I might even be cheeky and ask them why they thought they knew better than me AND hundreds of leading medical organisations what my child needed.

Itsamystery - posted on 05/19/2009

Quoting Tonya:

Umm, like I said before, I am still breastfeeding my son and he will be 1 year next month.  Everyone always looks at me funny and tells me how he's too big to be on the breast.  Does anyone else ever get this?  It's so irritating!  Even my mother goes on and on about it.  I was just curious how everyone else handles this and what kind/type of criticisim you receive.

I live in Australia too and I sometimes breastfeed my 2 year old when we are out or visiting family or friends. I have never been criticised or had funny looks or comments. I think the culture about breastfeeding is a little different (but not perfect) over here. I'm sure there are some people who think to themselves 'what is she doing/he's too old to feed' but they would never say anything. So I can't give you much advice on how to handle it based on experience except to tell you what I'd do if someone gave me that sort of attitude; I'd feed in defiance of the ignorance that creates such an anti-breastfeeding culture. I'd ask them where they got ideas that breastfeeding needs to stop before the child wants it to. I'd give them some of the facts about the benefits of extended breastfeeding. I'd explain why I personally am still doing it. I'd tell them that the WHO recommend breastfeeding until AT LEAST 2 years of age.  For the most part, I'd talk to them, open up, and break down those barriers of ignorance and build up some seeds of education.

And if that didn't work, then I'd tell them that I don't appreciate their scoffing at the greatest gift I'll ever give my child and I might even be cheeky and ask them why they thought they knew better than me AND hundreds of leading medical organisations what my child needed.

Rosie - posted on 05/19/2009

Talk to you Pediatrician!

Itsamystery - posted on 05/19/2009

Quoting Teresa:

 They need the fat from cow's milk...

Actually it was posted somewhere (sorry, don't know which resource) that breastmilk has more fat than cow's milk.  Weaning at a year is fine if that's what you want, but cow's milk is not better for them in any way.

The milk that a mother produces after she has been feeding for 12 months has 17% fat, compared to only 4% fat in cows milk. It changes to meet the fat intake needs of a busy toddler. Breastmilk is always superior to cows milk because it's perfectly formulated to your child's needs and changes as their needs change. There are plenty of benefits to breastfeeding beyond the first year (including physical, nutritional and emotional benefits), and breastmilk, ounce for ounce, is the most nutritionally dense food on earth.

To the OP, exclusive breastfeeding is fine up until 12 months but after that you should introduce solid foods. Introduction of food doesn't mean that you wont continue to enjoy nursing for a long time however.

Emma - posted on 05/19/2009

to the op, good on you, its the best thing for your child, to Tonja, please ignore any negative things said to you you are doing a fab job and the right thing I am so glad you have been part of thir thread and learnt a bit of new info to back you up human milk is for human babies plain and simple. Venessa I like your thinking :)

Vanessa - posted on 05/19/2009

 

Ugh, I'm having that issue right now with my mother-in-law, who never BF.  She said (when i told her i was planning on BF Kathryn for at least her first 2 years) "no... two years is too long.  you gotta cut the cord".  I told her (because I'm a defensive person at the best of times :S) that the World Health Org, UNICEF, Health Canada, the American Pediatrics Assoc, and countless other health organisations all recommend extended breastfeeding (it varies but they say at least a year or at least two years).  She still tought it was weird and wrong; once she actually laughed in my face about it (not kindly).  Here's my advice to you, and if my mom-in-law keeps going on about it to me, I think I'm going to do the same: tell them you've already heard their opinion and you're not interested in hearing it anymore, you're not going to change your mind anymore than they will change theirs and you're doing what you feel is best for your baby.  I'm lucky to have a very supportive hubby and so long as he and I are on the same page, I know he'll stick up for our parenting decisions.  Good luck!

congratualtions on mothering your child your way!

unfortunately breastfeeding knowledge is very poor in the older generations that mothered their babies in the 50's, 60's and 70's......formula was so widely pushed and thought to be BETTER than breastmilk in someplaces around the world (sad, but true). my grandmother once asked me if i thought my milk still had any "strength" in it.......LOL.....poor granny, she didn't know any better, she's old school where they told people their milk was "too thin"......lucky despite her lack of knowledge about breatfeeding she has still been very supportive and thinks its great now.

mother in laws can be a right pain in the neck! maybe you could print off some info on the benefits of extened breastfeeding and put it under her nose........hehehe!

keep it up.....the benefits will last your daughter a lifetime.

Teresa - posted on 05/19/2009

i breast fed my 2 older children until they were 3 and 3and half they are now 13 and 10 .Both gradually stopped on there own ,and are both extremely clever ..my eldest daughters' teacher told me recently if she could think of 1 student that was the top of the year it would be her ,i'm very proud i kept feeding don't let other people tell you what to do .you do what feels right for youand baby , i'm breastfeeding my 1yr old at the moment and will do so until we are both ready two stop .Good luck x

Julie - posted on 05/19/2009

Quoting Tonya:

Quoting Teresa:

 They need the fat from cow's milk...

Actually it was posted somewhere (sorry, don't know which resource) that breastmilk has more fat than cow's milk.  Weaning at a year is fine if that's what you want, but cow's milk is not better for them in any way.

Hi.  Sorry if I gave the wrong info.  Anyhow, I just read up on some stuff that may be helpful to you or others, like myself.  :D 

http://blissful-baby.blogspot.com/2007/0...

Umm, like I said before, I am still breastfeeding my son and he will be 1 year next month.  Everyone always looks at me funny and tells me how he's too big to be on the breast.  Does anyone else ever get this?  It's so irritating!  Even my mother goes on and on about it.  I was just curious how everyone else handles this and what kind/type of criticisim you receive.

Ugh, I'm having that issue right now with my mother-in-law, who never BF.  She said (when i told her i was planning on BF Kathryn for at least her first 2 years) "no... two years is too long.  you gotta cut the cord".  I told her (because I'm a defensive person at the best of times :S) that the World Health Org, UNICEF, Health Canada, the American Pediatrics Assoc, and countless other health organisations all recommend extended breastfeeding (it varies but they say at least a year or at least two years).  She still tought it was weird and wrong; once she actually laughed in my face about it (not kindly).  Here's my advice to you, and if my mom-in-law keeps going on about it to me, I think I'm going to do the same: tell them you've already heard their opinion and you're not interested in hearing it anymore, you're not going to change your mind anymore than they will change theirs and you're doing what you feel is best for your baby.  I'm lucky to have a very supportive hubby and so long as he and I are on the same page, I know he'll stick up for our parenting decisions.  Good luck!

Vanessa - posted on 05/19/2009

i exclusively breastfed (nothing else to eat or drink) my daughter till she was 9.5months, then slowly introduced solid food.....she only ever had a few mouth fulls....her main nutritional intake was breastmilk until she was around 13-14 months.
i never did puree....and very, very little spoon feeding. she was able to have steamed vegies and other finger foods right off. its was around 13 months her eating really took off naturally without any effort from me. i never encouraged her, just put food in front of her and let her self fed. if she ate, she ate, if she didn't she would later.
i continued to breastfed her until 3 years of age and she is very healthy and eats everything that i offer her (except mushrooms). she started to have dairy products around 12 months (yoghurt & cheese) and a drink of soy milk or cow's milk in a cup around 18 months of age. but always came back to the breast.....breastmilk was her main "milk food" untill i became pregnant again when she was 2 years 5 months (then my milk supply dropped off, but she still continued to breastfeed).
she has always been of average weight on the breastfed baby/child charts.
i have a 5 month old boy i will do the same with. (unless he indicates he wants food sooner).
as far as the iron issue.....yes, the iron stores in the liver are depleating by around 6 month of age......BUT......even though the iron in human breastmilk is low.....it is very easily absorbed......the iron in cow's milk (& formula) is higher.....but very poorly absorbed........therefore the right milk for babies and young children is human breastmilk. studies have proven that exclusively breastfed babies (for atleast 6 months), then with a slow introduction of solid food, with breastmilk still their main nutritional intake until 12 months have higher iron levels at 12 months of age then their formula fed, iron fortified food fed counterparts.
thats why babies that have formula and rice cereal have stinking bowel motions because the iron not absorbed is excreted in the poo......whereas the iron in breastmilk is absorbed.
as for the fat in cow's milk issue......why anyone thinks milk from another species is BETTER for their child than their own specifically designed human breastmilk is beyond me! we are the only species in the world to wean our children off our own milk and give them milk from another species.....(just think about that.....huummmm......cow's milk is highly overrated!)
fact is.....when a mother breastfeeds for more than 12 months her milk is 17% fat.....
yes 17% fat.......compared to 4% fat in cow's milk. so children do not need cow's milk to grow at all.....its rubbish....they need their mother's milk.
as for finding infomation on breastfeeding your child until she is 3......look up things like......child led weaning......the benefits of full term (or extended) breastfeeding..... the benefits of nursing/breastfeeding your toddler....and so on. you will find the are many physical and emtional benefits to both child and mother.
the natural age for weaning around the world is 4 years old. just because breastfeeding a 3 or 4 year old is frown upon in western society doen't mean its not "natural" or "normal" or "beneficial"......it is all of those things.
also great places to find info and support in breastfeeding toddlers are the Australian Breastfeeding Association..... and the La Leche League (US and ireland)...they can provide you will lots of factual, current infomation and support.
i breastfed my daughter anywhere until around 2 years of age......then just at home after that.....i live in Sydney Australia and no one every said any thing negative to me besides my own brother!!! (idiot, poorly informed, i ignored him).
i know many mothers that have breastfeed until 3 years and beyond.....and they all happily breastfeed in the privacy of their own homes......just becaure your breastfeeding an older child doen't mean its all the time, everywhere, you can easily set limits, thats what i did and it worked well.
my 3 year old told me that my milk was the yummiest thing she had ever tasted!!
good luck.....talk to me any time if you like. :)

Teresa - posted on 05/18/2009

When my twin girls (now 7) were little I felt like weaning should began at 12-18 months. We were totally done at 15 months.



Now I know/feel differently and my almost 14 month old son is still nursed pretty much on demand. I've fed him almost anywhere that I've been and so far no one has ever said a word. My heart goes out to anyone that has had negative feedback about doing what is best for your child.

Marie - posted on 05/18/2009

Quoting Tonya:

Quoting Teresa:

 They need the fat from cow's milk...

Actually it was posted somewhere (sorry, don't know which resource) that breastmilk has more fat than cow's milk.  Weaning at a year is fine if that's what you want, but cow's milk is not better for them in any way.

Hi.  Sorry if I gave the wrong info.  Anyhow, I just read up on some stuff that may be helpful to you or others, like myself.  :D 

http://blissful-baby.blogspot.com/2007/0...

Umm, like I said before, I am still breastfeeding my son and he will be 1 year next month.  Everyone always looks at me funny and tells me how he's too big to be on the breast.  Does anyone else ever get this?  It's so irritating!  Even my mother goes on and on about it.  I was just curious how everyone else handles this and what kind/type of criticisim you receive.

I'm still feeding my Alexander who's birthday is today! And he still nurses several times a day. I've never had anyone comment that I'm still nursing him and, if anyone says anything, I tell them we will stop when we're both ready.

You have my sympathy that ANYONE would look at your funny and say anything detrimental!

I'm always happy to hear that someone has stuck with it for so long. I applaud anyone who does (through teeth and anything else)!

Tonya - posted on 05/18/2009

Quoting Teresa:

 They need the fat from cow's milk...

Actually it was posted somewhere (sorry, don't know which resource) that breastmilk has more fat than cow's milk.  Weaning at a year is fine if that's what you want, but cow's milk is not better for them in any way.

Hi.  Sorry if I gave the wrong info.  Anyhow, I just read up on some stuff that may be helpful to you or others, like myself.  :D 

http://blissful-baby.blogspot.com/2007/0...

Umm, like I said before, I am still breastfeeding my son and he will be 1 year next month.  Everyone always looks at me funny and tells me how he's too big to be on the breast.  Does anyone else ever get this?  It's so irritating!  Even my mother goes on and on about it.  I was just curious how everyone else handles this and what kind/type of criticisim you receive.

Christine - posted on 05/17/2009

you do what you are happy doing, 2 is a great age and proberbly the longest you'd need to do, good luck

Marie - posted on 05/17/2009

You also need to start your LO on solids because it helps baby learn how to manipulate food with their tongues. A study I read somewhere said that children have a harder time learning to chew if they aren't given some kind of solids before 1 year.

Teresa - posted on 05/17/2009

 They need the fat from cow's milk...

Actually it was posted somewhere (sorry, don't know which resource) that breastmilk has more fat than cow's milk.  Weaning at a year is fine if that's what you want, but cow's milk is not better for them in any way.

Anne - posted on 05/17/2009

I breastfeed my daughter but my understand was that from 6 months on they need additional iron which they get from 'solids'. It doesn't mean giving them formula, and they still take as many breastfeeds, you just start to introduce some foods AS WELL. I didn't think it was advisable to breastfeed ONLY until a year. My daughter is very interested in food so I am not going to deny her a taste of this and that and I will continue to breastfeed her for a year, perhaps longer as she is allergic to cows milk protein. I hope this helps.

Tonya - posted on 05/17/2009

I breastfeed my son and he will be a year old next month. I do however intend on weaning him off shortly after his birthday. I do know that breastmilk is best for the first year, after that I don't think they get as many benefits from it. They need the fat from cow's milk...talk to your pediatrician. He/She will definitely be able to give you the do's and don'ts. Good luck!!

Amanda - posted on 05/16/2009

My youngest sister (23 years old now) was EB until she was 2 because she had major allergies, and she was nursed until 3. She was a healthy well rounded child (21lbs at 9 months with breastmilk only), no supliments, no water, no vits. I would also suggest going to the La Leche Leauge website as there are many mothers with the same mindset as you, and you will find must more support then on these forums.

Lydia - posted on 05/16/2009

La Leche League is a tremendous help I find (http://www.llli.org/). You may have a group near you.

I think you know what is best for your daughter & should breastfeed as long as it suits you both. Breast is best for baby plus mum gets the feel good hormones too :-). Good on you for wanting to give your little one the best start in life.

Samantha - posted on 05/16/2009

If you do meant breast feeding only and no food I really don't think that would be the best for them. You would have to isolate yourselves a bit from children the same age as she wouldnt understand why others are eating and she is not. But breast feeding is wonderful. You dont really have to start on solids antil they are 6 months and you keep breast feeding in between. I have a friend whos daughter is 3 and she has her 3 meals and 2 snacks, drinks water from a cup and has mummys milk before bed. She is thriving and enjoys the special mummy time before bed. I hope this is helpful.

Regards

Sam

Teresa - posted on 05/16/2009

Quoting Allison:

If you mean "exclusively" as in, nothing at all but breastmilk, I think you will find she won't appreciate you denying her solid food once she's interested in it! : )

But if you just mean no formula, etc. then yes, breastmilk is healthy for them into their toddler years.

I agree.  My son is almost 14 months.  Other than maybe 2-3 ounces of cow's milk for 'fun' he's never had any other milk than mine and he's doing great.  He loves his food too though. :)

Allison - posted on 05/16/2009

If you mean "exclusively" as in, nothing at all but breastmilk, I think you will find she won't appreciate you denying her solid food once she's interested in it! : )

But if you just mean no formula, etc. then yes, breastmilk is healthy for them into their toddler years. My oldest breastfed exclusively until 5 mo, when she started on solids, and weaned herself by 14 mo. My middle child BF exclusively for 6 mo, then started solids and formula because I had to work, and weaned himself around 13-14 mo. as well. My youngest is 4 mo and still BF exclusively.

Rebecca - posted on 05/16/2009

When you say exclusively does this mean you're not going to put her on solids? I really think it's a personal choice, I could not do it myself for more than a year as I want him to be drinking and eating regular foods by a year of age for both our sakes. I also have not read data that says anything more than a year but that might be because most people are back to work then and most babies can have cow's milk by then. I do think 3 is a little excessive, just be warned that if you are choosing to breastfeed until she is 3 you will probably get some strange looks and comments from those around you, but like I said it's personal choice, no one but you can decide what's best for your daughter

Jessica - posted on 05/16/2009

im sure as long as she is still getting all the vitamins and food that her body requires it should be ok.