How long is everyone planning on breastfeeding?

Jaclyn - posted on 07/13/2009

I want to breastfeed for at least a year. My mom told me that after that its up to the kids. Once they start eating solid food, some children don't want to nurse anymore. I'd like to nurse as long as my son wants.

Caitlyn - posted on 07/13/2009

I am also hoping for one year. 2 months down no problems so far!

Ena - posted on 07/13/2009

I should say my daughter was premmie and is still very short so people think shes one!

Ena - posted on 07/13/2009

my eldest was 14months, my second the same, my third is still breastfeeding and she will be 3 YEARS old in November. I think it depends on how long is good for you guys. Just remember, it's MUCH harder to wean a toddler,but good as long as u got patience.

Angelic - posted on 07/13/2009

As long as you can... We in month 7 now and I've been exclusively breastfeeding the whole time (introduced solids last month). Plan to do until she's 1 year.

Debbie - posted on 07/13/2009

i think the longer the better, I have been breastfeeding for 11 and a half months now and i am wondering the same thing, when is too long???

Angela - posted on 07/13/2009

I went for 18 months with my little one. I had hoped to go for about 2 years, but ended up getting sick and hospitalized and on heavy duty antibiotics. The infections and high fevers just dried my milk right up. Luckily she was mostly night nursing by then, and was able to adjust to the sudden weaning.

Michelle - posted on 07/13/2009

I had planned to breastfeed my daughter until she was 6 month old. She's now 11 months and has weaned herself down to 3 feeds a day.

Sabrina - posted on 07/13/2009

It is up to you and your LO. My goal is for 1 year and I am at 7 months right now. He is still very attached to them and wants them, but I am sure that as he gets older and wants food over milk that he will practically wean himself.

Sandra - posted on 07/13/2009

The AAP and WHO recommend at least a year . However , the real answer is you should BF for as long as you wish to.Don't let any outside influences ( like family or friends) tell you that you should nurse for a shorter on longer period than what you wish!

Personally , I nursed my daughter for 14 months until I became pregnant with my son...my son is 12 months now and still nursing , but I am trying to wean him gently because I am getting pretty tired :)

Roszette - posted on 07/13/2009

Most people breast feed from a yr to 2 yrs. my son did til i got pregnat with my last son so he was like 15 i would have gone to two yrs if i could have. mydaughter did til 9 month and the she quite taking anything but a sip cup. so it depends on you and your baby everyone is different.

Lisa - posted on 07/13/2009

I to 11 months with my first and then I got prego with my 2nd but I plan to go a year with her, like others have said, the longer the better, there are things in your milk that your baby can't get any other way but really its up to you. Trust me though, in my experience I found that none of the complications out weighed the benefits.

Kristin - posted on 07/13/2009

Its not terribly bad to breast feed with teeth, they learn to not bite and when they see mom cry about it they know that they shouldn't. It still bugs me when she is sleepy and forgets and bites me but its worth it.

Kristin - posted on 07/13/2009

My little girl is 10months old and still going strong but since we introduced solid food into her diet she only breast feeds a few times a day. I hope that when she turns one that I can start weening her off of it but if it doesn't happen I will still be happy to breast feed even if I have to pump for her while I am at work.

Carin - posted on 07/13/2009

My first goal is six months..but I would love to make it one year.

Carin - posted on 07/13/2009

My first goal is six months..but I would love to make it one year.

Tammy - posted on 07/13/2009

WHO guidelines are 6 months exclusive, and 2 years in total...

Emily - posted on 07/13/2009

I want to let my daughter self-wean. I was talking about it to my husband just yesterday and he feels I should stop when our daughter can ask for it. I'm going to decide, though. I love nursing her!

Amanda - posted on 07/13/2009

I have to supplement right now, I was pumping for awhile but it decreased my milk supply so I just nurse her but it's not really enough. I have given her cereal since she was 4 months and sometimes give her some fruit for a snack. I plan on nursing until she doesnt want to sit in my lap to nurse anymore, however she's been biting a lot so if she doesn't stop biting when she gets her teeth in, I don't think I can keep nursing.

Melissa - posted on 07/13/2009

My goal is one year ... I know that unexpected things happen but I think any breastmilk is good for the baby. 1.5 months is better than nothing at all. Breastfeeding is so healthy and CHEAP!!! Formula is crazy expensive!

Angie - posted on 07/13/2009

im still nursing my 22 month old and pragnante with twins hopefully she will stop soon lol but i leave it up to her when to stop

Kimberly - posted on 07/13/2009

Quoting Melissa:

im def not going to breastfeed more then a year! maybe somewhere from 3-6 months i heard that if you nurse for 1 month the baby gets all the nutrition's

This could not be more wrong!  American Adacemy of Pediatrics suggests one year.  My mother and sister are lacation consultations and they claim the longer the better for your baby.  They get nutriants everytime you nurse and the milk adapts to the needs of the baby at any age.  I plan to breastfeed my one year old son until he weens himself.  I understand everyone feels differently about breastfeed and the length of time but I just wanted you to know that one month of nursing does not give all the nutriants a baby would need.

Angel - posted on 07/12/2009

I breast fed my oldest until he was 11 months, my second for 6 ( I was in school) and I'm currently nursing my 3 month old. When to wean is up to you but I would at least shoot for 6 months. Weaning was hard for me even though there were so many times I wanted to stop sooner, I would feel bad that I was taking something that was so important and special between us away. I really feel 6 months to a year if you can make it! That bonding experience only you can give your baby is awesome!

Tamara - posted on 07/12/2009

I nursed for 18 months and hope to nurse my next for at least 2 years.

Teena - posted on 07/12/2009

I plan to breastfeed for one year.

Jackie - posted on 07/12/2009

Quoting Andrea:

I nursed my daughter until 28 months (would have gone longer but I was pregnant and it was starting to hurt, plus she was pretty ready to be done anyway) and plan on going at least 2 years again w/ the baby coming in October.

Hey Andrea...I know you from DS....uk2usa :)

Anyway, to OP, I nursed my daughters until they were atleast 3yrs...My first was weaned, 'mother-led' style at 3.5 b/c I was tandem nursing and exhausted. My second is 3yrs and 3months and weaning herself. She hasn't nursed for several weeks and hasn't asked at all!! This could be it for us...

Good luck with your breastfeeding experience, and research, research, research...kellymom is a fantastic online resource!

Sara - posted on 07/12/2009

Quoting Adrena:

I plan to breastfeed until at least 6 months.. I hear it's harder when their teeth come in. I only breastfed my first son for 2 months because I had problems with producing enough milk. My second son is 3 weeks old today and so far so good. :)

My son is 9 1/2 mos and has 2 teeth and we have not had any problems so far.  Planning on nursing as long as he wants to.

Good luck!

Dena - posted on 07/12/2009

1 year is my goal. my baby is 7 months old now and I wouldn't have it any other way,but when we were starting out I just had to take it one day at a time.

Adrena - posted on 07/12/2009

I plan to breastfeed until at least 6 months.. I hear it's harder when their teeth come in. I only breastfed my first son for 2 months because I had problems with producing enough milk. My second son is 3 weeks old today and so far so good. :)

Teresa - posted on 07/12/2009

Quoting Arwen:

I planned on two years, but a few days ago, right before she hit her 18 month mark, my daughter made me reconsider. She had brought me my Boppy, set it up in my lap, pointed to my chest, and said, "uh." If she knows how to do all that, I think she's old enough to drink big girl milk.
She also just started tantrums, right on cue! I would hate to see what would happen soon in a store if she went, "Uh," and I said, "No." I can't see that ending well.

That's cute.  My 15 month old son has been bringing me a pillow and asking for 'baboo' for about 2 months now. :)  If he asks when we are in a store I just tell him he needs to wait til we are in the van.  He throws some massive fits about different things where ever we are.  Dealing w/ tantrums in public is just a part of life as a parent. :)

Stephanie - posted on 07/12/2009

I planned to breastfeed for 1 year if I could, but he is 13 months old and still going strong! He always nurses 3-4 times a day and more when he isn't feeling well (esp teething.) I think at this point, I'll let him wean when he is ready.

Sarah - posted on 07/12/2009

Quoting cynthia:

until he starts growing teeth

that is just silly. millions and millions of babies nurse just fine with teeth and never bite their moms.

Krystle - posted on 07/12/2009

I'm trying to make it to a year. I'm at 10 weeks so far and going back to work in a week, but I'm not gonna stop.

Natasha - posted on 07/12/2009

With my first I breastfed till he was 4 months then I put him on formula because I had to go back to work. Just after I stopped breastfeeding him I fell pregnant with my daughter and I've been breastfeeding her for 11 months now I plan on weining her just after her 1st birthday. (i need a break) She doesnt drink milk from a bottle at all just water.

Jeanne - posted on 07/12/2009

My daughter will be 3 next week and I still breastfeed her. I am pretty much leaving it up to her to wean herself, although my mental cutoff is by the time she turns 4. My first cutoff was when she turned 1, but didn't want to stop. Then it was when she turned 2, and I didn't want to stop then either. Now that she's going to be 3, I'm a little torn between weaning her off and keeping on. I'd like to start detoxing my body of all the chemicals and other toxins I've accumulated in my lifetime from food, environment and whatnot, but they recommend not doing that while nursing since it can get in the milk. So, what I'm probably going to do is really start talking to her and encouraging her to stop without forcing her to.

Krystle - posted on 07/12/2009

my first child i breastfed for almost 15 months once we decided no more that was it she was fine...now she is very healthy never sick 22 month old...i just recently gave birth to a my lil man and i am also breastfeeding...i really hope to for a year! there is nothing better for them than breast milk its made specially for them!!

Alecea - posted on 07/12/2009

I have been breastfeeding for 9months and i am trying for 18months or more!

Heather - posted on 07/12/2009

i hear one year is best but do it as long as u can. Im aiming for at least a year.

Sandra - posted on 07/12/2009

My goal with my first was to make it 6 months and we made it to just over a year. With my second I just went for the one year goal, she will be on e on Aug 5th and we are still going strong. It is recommended that you breastfeed for at least 6 months, but every situation is different. Good Luck.

Tracy - posted on 07/12/2009

Hoping to get a close to 1 year as possible...ever check out those prices for formula? Plus, I feel honored to do it.

Justine - posted on 07/12/2009

It has been 8 months so far.My goal is 1 year.

Karen - posted on 07/12/2009

Totally up to you. No presure. The longer the better. My 1st son i breastfeed for 7 months. I'm currently breastfeeding my 2nd daughter now. The plan is to breastfeed her longer (1 year or at least mix with formula when my EBM is not enough) due to her lack of interest in solid food and her sensitive skin condition. I use a good electric breast pump. It helps as I have more freedom.

Jocelyn - posted on 07/11/2009

i bfed my first for 21 months and i plan on bfing my next one (due in oct) for probably around the same time (18-24 months). my son had good timing, he weaned himself, but i know i was defiantly ready to stop. if bfing is going good for you, just keep at it :) you'll know when you are ready to stop, and your baby will know when its ready to stop.

Mandi - posted on 07/11/2009

the American Academy of Pediatrics (along with the canadian, english etc) all recommend at least 1 year for optimal health benefits.

Mary - posted on 07/11/2009

I am up to 9 months now. You've only done it a month, hang in there if you can I didn't bf my other 3 so this is new but I have benefited a lot if not more than my baby. The uterus shrinks faster so weight comes off faster. And the bonding is totally different than with bottle. Maybe I'm just older now but it sure feel different to me. It's definately worth it plus no bottles to warm up or clean YEA!!!!!!!!

Arwen - posted on 07/11/2009

I planned on two years, but a few days ago, right before she hit her 18 month mark, my daughter made me reconsider. She had brought me my Boppy, set it up in my lap, pointed to my chest, and said, "uh." If she knows how to do all that, I think she's old enough to drink big girl milk.
She also just started tantrums, right on cue! I would hate to see what would happen soon in a store if she went, "Uh," and I said, "No." I can't see that ending well.

Sara - posted on 07/11/2009

Quoting Elena:

How long is everyone planning on breastfeeding?

Ive been breastfeeding for 1 month and a half now and im not sure how long i should breastfeed for.

Good job!!! I know it can be difficult.  It took almost 3 months until it was really going smoothly for us.  It was all one day at a time.  I always wanted to nurse for at least 1 yr, but as we are getting closer (3 mos away) I am leaning towards at least 2 yrs.  I would like for him to decide when it is the right time for him to stop though.  It is a personal choice, but keep up the good work!!!!

Shawna - posted on 07/11/2009

Quoting cynthia:

until he starts growing teeth

LOL. Just so you know not all babys bite. I was scared about my baby getting teeth, he did bite me a few times but he let go right away and it was my fault i believe, I kept putting him on when he would let go so then he would bite me.

Shawna - posted on 07/11/2009

I was going to do it for at least 18 months but now i think im going to start the cows milk when he is a year old. I will still nurse him in the morning and at night for i don't know how long maybe til he is 2. But i want to get him off the boob during the day when he is 1... I think this is what i want lol. I would have loved to get him to take the bottle but that isn't working out too good. He will not take it, he will cry giving the sitter a hard time, he wont eat his solids for the sitter either so i don't leave him anymore. It's tough. It is completely up to you on how long u want to nurse.

Leila - posted on 07/11/2009

I had planned on letting my daughter wean herself. I left my ex-husband when she was 4, and because of divorce/custody issues in the court, I ended up being forced to wean her just before her 5th birthday. She still remembers and talks about it with me (she's 6 1/2). I talk to her about how we still get to cuddle and talk to each other, and it's not much different, but she does remember how the actual nursing/milk helped her calm down when times were tough (during the intial seperation) and how it got harder for her to feel comfortable when I had to stop nursing her. (Nursing has a relaxing effect on babies, too, not just moms). By then, she was only nursing when stressed/scared and at bedtime.