how long did you breast feed for??

Amy - posted on 06/16/2010

My son is 18 months and still nursing. I believe we should follow the child needs so I will go as long and he wants too.

Latisha - posted on 06/16/2010

with my nboth my kids i did 4 months i work so milk wasnt coming in enough

Alicia - posted on 06/16/2010

My son is 13 months and he is still feeding. He mainly feeds in the night and early morning. Throughout the day he only feeds once or twice when its nap time or just wants comfort.

Erynne - posted on 06/16/2010

My son is 14m, and I'm still breastfeeding. I'm planning on following the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline and nursing him until he's 2yr old at least. Not to mention that nursing through the toddler years make them SO much easier to deal with, according to most of my mommy friends.

Mandy - posted on 06/16/2010

I agree Kendall that most babies don't self-wean before a year. My daughter was always ahead by a few months with everything, so I think the self-weaning on her part was the same thing. She walked a few days after her last feed, she was quite forceful about not wanting it too lol

Kendall - posted on 06/16/2010

My son, who is now almost 6, nursed until he was 20 months. I hemorrhaged during a miscarriage at that time and just stopped producing milk. I would have let him go until he was at least 2.

My daughter, who is now 3, nursed for 18 months. I weaned her because I was pregnant with our third. She was so easy to wean that I think she was only nursing because she knew I wanted her to.

Our third, a 15 month old girl, is still breastfeeding. Since she is our last child, I am planning to nurse her as long as she wants. At this point she only breastfeeds once or twice a day, but is showing no signs that she wants to give it up.

I think night weaning is the key to making extended breastfeeding work. Getting your nights back by one year (I night weaned the girls before one year after learning my lesson by not night weaning my son until he was 18 months!) is very helpful.

By the way, if any moms are thinking their baby is self-weaning before one year, think again. It is more likely a nursing strike. Strikes usually just last a few days and the baby is happily nursing again. You can get through it by pumping and bottlefeeding your breast milk and continuing to offer the breast. In most cases, the baby will start up again in just a few days.

Mandy - posted on 06/16/2010

oldest daughter who is 5 self-weaned at 10 months. Son weaned a few weeks ago at 16 months.

Jessica - posted on 06/16/2010

18 months. We had to stop because I got sick and needed to be on a medication for 10 days. It made no sense to pump and dump for 10 days because he didn't "need" to nurse anymore. I felt sad to be forced to stop like that, but it was time. Three days later he'd forgotten all about nursing :)

Saima - posted on 06/16/2010

I breast fedmy older 3 children for about 12-16 months and I plan to breadt feed my 7month old for that long too.

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/16/2010

Quote ."I stopped nursing at 10 months...mainly because my milk was running out, and though I tried, my flow wouldn't come back. I switched her right away to cows milk. I don't think there is any right or wrong answer...you nurse as long as you want. But in this day-in-age, when we have money to buy food, milk and don't live in a small farm town, as did my ancestors in Italy, there is no reason for a 2 or 3 year old to be nursing...that I do not agree with. But that's just me..."
Christina, even if you have the money and access to a cows milk it is extremely healthier for your child to drink human milk. cows milk really isnt the amazing nutritios drink we all are led to believe when it compares to human milk. Cows milk has a good source of calcium and vitamin d and whole milk has some good fats but the nutrients in human milk are far superior for a toddler. Calcium and vitamin d can be given in other foods and it really is the healthier choice for a toddler to drink human milk until the natural weaning age of 2-7 years old. Cows milk isnt bad for them but mommas milk can never be beaten! personally my son wont receive cow milk until he is weaning, probably around 2 1/2 years old.

Emma - posted on 06/16/2010

I breast fed my first baby until she was just over 18 months old and only stopped because i became pregnant with my second child. He is now 7 months old and i continue to feed him around 8-10 feeds a day!! I love breast feeding, it is initially very hard but is the easiest thing in the world once established!!! I will feed him until he decides it is over!!!

Analea - posted on 06/16/2010

Well done, still breast feeding that it is excellent! I am still feeding my 21 mnth old an evening feed before bed, same withmy first fed upuntil 23 mnths as was going overseas. WHO (World Health Org) recommends b/feeding up until 2 yrs if you can. Everyone is different though.

Nicola - posted on 06/16/2010

usally tell u after 12 mths to go on whole milk!

Rebecca - posted on 06/16/2010

3 years and 1 1/2 months.....when the time was right for both myself and my daughter!

Leny - posted on 06/16/2010

My little one is 3 and half years old. He still goes for the breast but since October -with so much pain for both of us- I started trying so hard to stop breastfeeding him. The medical doctors I have seen say that there's a string relation between not being able to get pregnant again and breastfeeding my child. We are in fertilization clinic and I almost dont breasfeed anymore at all, and my second baby is still not coming... I so much envy the ones of you that got pregnant even when breastfeeding strong.

Even if medical doctors and the dentist of my child say that he had his dental problems because I used to breastfeed him during the night (so he had caries and tooth erosion), even so I do not regret breastfeeding him for so long. What those doctors dont often admit, is the relation between long term health and being longterm brestfed while they are children. The chances of cancer in people that were breastfed for long are smaller than when they took artificial-cow milk, and that is nothing but logical: there's no comparison between having the milk that was especially designed by nature for your child and having artificial/cow milk. Go ahead with your baby until he's ready to stop!

Stephanie - posted on 06/16/2010

Michael will be a year old on the 26th of June and we're still going strong

Rika - posted on 06/16/2010

my girl is 18 months already and I'm still doing breast feeding at her...I plan to stop breast feeding in her age 24 months :)

Nicole - posted on 06/15/2010

My son is 16 months, born c-section,and still breastfeeding. Our daughter will be born next month and I plan on breastfeeding both. He eats 3-4 times a day still, depending on our activities and his mood. I'm so glad I still get to have that special time with him:)

Amanda - posted on 06/15/2010

Hi Jessica. I have Boy/Girl twins now almost 16yrs old. I fed them both until they were 6mths and then my daughter decided she only wanted a pre bedtime feed. This lasted a month or two then she stopped altogether. Her twin brother would still be breastfed now if I hadnt actively weaned him off me. Once I was convinced his nutrition was being satisfied with his solid food I felt happier asking his Dad to settle him at night to break the association with a breast feed. I think the question you need to ask yourself is Are you happy to continue?? If you are, then you should. Good luck x

Mindy - posted on 06/15/2010

I fed my son until about 12 1/2 months. I gradually cut back on the feedings and then eventually cut back completely. It went very smoothly for both of us. Take your time. There's no rush and enjoy these last moments!

Hayley - posted on 06/15/2010

Will is 20 months and feeding twice a day, and I'm 3.5 months pregnant so could well be tandem feeding come December...

Esther - posted on 06/15/2010

Oldest son: 9 months (because I was told you couldn't breastfeed after they got their first tooth)
Second Son: 4 years (I found out you could) LOL But he would've nursed forever I feel and I finally had to ween him.
Daughter: 2 years (tandem with second son) She weened herself.
Twins: 2 months. Only because they got sick and I lost my milk supply.

Sarah - posted on 06/15/2010

my sons 1 and im going to breastfeed til he's ready, 2 yrs max though anything more is just weird lol

Ngakeiha - posted on 06/15/2010

my girl is one now and still breastfeeding

Christie - posted on 06/15/2010

I tried to wean my oldest while I was pregnant, but she would cry and cry until I gave in. I finally started limiting her time, as it was very sore and uncomfortable for me. She was 1 month pass her 4th birthday the last time she asked to nurse. Both of my boys weaned themselves at about 2 1/2 years.

Chloe - posted on 06/15/2010

almost 3 years still going

Amy - posted on 06/15/2010

3 1/2 years :-)

Baeyah - posted on 06/15/2010

my daughter is 15 months old and is still BFing, though not fully. but she prefers me anytime over the bottle. :) my son weaned himself off me when he was 10 months old. he's turning 4 in august. :)

Alicia - posted on 06/15/2010

I am still feeding my 29 month, as well as my 9 month. I say go as long as you feel ok about it. the Dr's want us to go till 12 months as a minimum, anything over that is a bonus!

Jessie - posted on 06/15/2010

my son is 11 months old and nurses 4 -6 times a day

Christina - posted on 06/15/2010

I started introducing cows milk at 9 months and my daughter was fully weened from breast to cows milk by 10 months. I talked to many moms who did it that way, no issues. Even my pediatrician agreed.

Kyla - posted on 06/15/2010

My oldest son self weaned a few weeks after his first birthday. My daughter had to be put on formula between 6 and 9 months because of weight loss I wasnt producing enough milk for her. My baby boy is 9 months and still going strong. People are always asking how long I think I will continue and I'm not really sure. I dont like the idea of forced weaning but with the way he is about his nursing I'm not sure if he will ever self-wean.

Christina - posted on 06/15/2010

I stopped nursing at 10 months...mainly because my milk was running out, and though I tried, my flow wouldn't come back. I switched her right away to cows milk. I don't think there is any right or wrong answer...you nurse as long as you want. But in this day-in-age, when we have money to buy food, milk and don't live in a small farm town, as did my ancestors in Italy, there is no reason for a 2 or 3 year old to be nursing...that I do not agree with. But that's just me...

Elisa - posted on 06/15/2010

he is almost 17 months now, still breastfeeding. Not sure how long we'll go, just taking life as it comes...

Danielle - posted on 06/15/2010

My daughter self weaned at about 7 months (she's 4 now) and my son had to stop at about 17 months due to me starting on medication I needed to start taking for my migraines. I would have kept nursing, as would he, but the headaches were just too bad. He was my little boobie baby!! lol He is now a VERY healthy just turned 2 year old at 33lbs and 36 inches tall. Really miss nursing times with both my children. If the hubby and I ever have another one, will definitely nurse again and for as long as we can!! :D

Angela - posted on 06/15/2010

My Daughter is 20 months old, and still breastfeeds. She also co-sleeps with me. We're comfortable with this situation, but others ask "When are you stopping?" Um, when we're ready! She likes water/vitamin water, but she still gets me. Stop when you feel it's time to stop... and, yes, I'll be stopping before she goes to Kindergarten :)

Kristy - posted on 06/15/2010

i stopped when he was a month old because it started to hurt

Sarah - posted on 06/15/2010

My first son was breastfed for 14 months, my second one is 3 years old and still breastfeeds at night and at naptime if I am available.

Melinda - posted on 06/15/2010

I breastfed my son until he was almost a year. I started at 11 months deleting nursing sessions- nap time and bed time were most difficult: within a few weeks he was only getting nursed at night. It ended up he weaned himself- all of a sudden he would not nurse- next night the same- he would pull away, and has not been interested in nursing since. He does still drink from a bottle, and sippy cups now at 15 months old.

Shannon - posted on 06/15/2010

Love the post! How wonderful that there are so many proud extended breastfeeding Momma's! My son is 22 mos, loves to nurse and I don't see us stopping anytime soon. I'm still loving nursing... but get tired of explaining myself to people when they ask when I'll stop.

Kelly - posted on 06/15/2010

My older son breastfed for 18 months and stopped on his own. My younger son was weaned by me at 25 months. Good luck with it all!!

Jolene - posted on 06/15/2010

I breastfeed my girl till she was 40 months. She just turned 5 yesterday :)

Edwige - posted on 06/15/2010

15 months and still going... :)

Kendra - posted on 06/15/2010

15 months and still going strong :-)

Stacy - posted on 06/15/2010

I nursed my first until she turned four, and tandemed nursed her and my littlest for 13 months. :D The baby is still going strong now at nearly 14 monts!

Melissa - posted on 06/15/2010

My first daughter weaned herself at 2 years and my 10 month old daughter is still going strong. Like my first, I'm not sure how long she'll need to go, but I plan to respect her need until she is ready to be done.

Alice - posted on 06/15/2010

I breastfed both of my kids for at least 14 months. My second was more like almost 16 months because I didn't want to stop :-) I adore the bonding time we had as it was just "our time", you know? If I were to have a third child I would probably breastfeed for longer. Both of my girls I had to wean because I was going out of town for various reasons and would be away from them--neither took a bottle, and although I tried over and over, I could never pump as much milk as they would need--and again, they wouldn't take a bottle anyway! :-) I say breastfeed for as long as you can :-)

VIvien - posted on 06/15/2010

My daughter is 21 months old and we are probably going to at least make it to two...not sure after that.
Vm

Laura Zoey - posted on 06/15/2010

breastfeeding should not be decreased when starting complementary feeding;
complementary foods should be given with a spoon or cup, not in a bottle;
Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers. As a global public health recommendation, infants should be exclusively breastfed(1) for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health(2). Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Exclusive breastfeeding from birth is possible except for a few medical conditions, and unrestricted exclusive breastfeeding results in ample milk production.
Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother, especially in delaying return of fertility (thereby promoting optimal intervals between births).196

There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer.197
All the benefits of human milk—including nutritional and health—continue for as long as your baby receives your milk. In fact, as your baby takes less human milk, these advantages are condensed into what milk is produced. Many of the health benefits of human milk are dose related, that is, the longer the baby receives human milk, the greater are the benefits.

i found this information on the world health organization website, the american academy of pediatrics website, and the La Leche League website.

Vanessa - posted on 06/15/2010

2YEARS!!!AND YOUR CHILDWILL BE VERY INTELLIGENT AND HEALTHY!!!!