How long will you breastfeed?

Khristina - posted on 12/11/2009

I just posted the same question last night- after reading all these responces it really helps me. All the other moms at playgroups talk bad behind my back about me still brestfeeding my 26 month old. It's so awesome to here that some moms do it much longer and don't feel weird about it. Somedays she wants milk more then others.. I was gone for a couple hours this morning so when I got back she wanted milk of course to tell me how she missed me or whatever. I made a huge mistake by spoiling her- i didn't start work until 9 months and still only work 10-15 hours a week. It's surprising how many moms say they wish there child would have breastfeed longer. If you have a child like mine who doesn't want to stop- I guess then your lucky and should cherish that time with her for as long as it lasts..Don't feel bad about it i'm not going to anymore!

Betty - posted on 12/10/2009

I will breast feed for atleast 6 to 8 months and prob not any longer than a year. Alll the nutrients are good, but the boy will need to grow up and look for other ways to eat. BUT the sooner you stop breastfeeding and introducing food the sooner the baby can develop food allergies

Aleksandra - posted on 12/09/2009

Hi, my baby is almost a year old. They say that when baby can drink cow's milk- age 12 months, you can stop breasfeeding, but it's up to you. Some people feed till baby is 2 or more- in my opinion is way too long. I think best is till 12 months.

Hazel - posted on 12/09/2009

I plan on breastfeeding as long as I can (3 months at the mo) but no longer than 18 months I would say. Maybe not even that, maybe only a year. I guess it's totally a personal thing and whatever works for you and your little one :-) xxx

Sylvia - posted on 12/09/2009

My daughter self-weaned sometime between 4 and 5 (years, not months). If I am ever lucky enough to have another child, I'll be expecting pretty much the same.

I don't think there's any such thing as "too long" as long as both mother and child want to continue.

Maribel - posted on 12/09/2009

My daughter is 14 months and I should stop by the time she is two, if not a little sooner. It's exhausting! The bond with her when I breastfeed is worth it, that's for sure. I know she will benefit greatly so it keeps me going. = )

Marcy - posted on 12/09/2009

I'm still nursing Kinlee' & she is 14 months old!! My other daughter was 22 months old when we stopped! I think that's a decision for you & your child to make.I think we are going to start trying to wean within the next few months mainly because she's a biter!! Not alot of fun!!I But,you do whatever you feel is right for you & don't let anyone make you feel bad no matter what you decide!!

Kacey - posted on 12/09/2009

12 mounths i have got 2 go back 2 work as we need more money x

Anne - posted on 12/08/2009

3 yrs long n strong n have no idea how the years flew...on my 4th boy...breastfed all 4...this by far the longest...wow n dont see him stopping anytime soon...i would also like my boobs back n so would my husband quite frankly...but a def plus his intellect n speech are amazing...he has no allergies nor has spent 1 nite awake with any fevers thank God...no ER visits n if he gets a lil sick that's all just a lil for a day if that because as u know our antibodies attack!
BFeeding ROCKS end result n we live so they live!
~Anne

Mary Beth - posted on 12/08/2009

I plan on BFing until she's one since we want to start trying for another baby at that time.

Remember, you can safely and effectively nurse while you are pregnant so don't let that stop you from continuing to nurse if you're little one still wants to and you want to get pregnant.

Mary Beth - posted on 12/08/2009

Originally I was going to breastfeed for 12 months but since I started at LLL and heard about how my leader nursed her 20 month old and how it really helped out when he was sick and the only thing he could keep down was breastmilk I'm reconsidering and might go longer.

Melissa - posted on 12/08/2009

i will till she is ready to stop she is 13 months and not ready yet i hope its soon though i want my bobbies back LOL and they shouldnt breast feed when they are going to kindergarten LOL

Ashley - posted on 12/08/2009

I only got to breastfeed my son for 2 and a half months then I had to go back to work so with my daughter I'm planning at least a year. She's almost 7 mths so so far so good.

Anatalie - posted on 12/08/2009

Quoting Carissa:

How long will you breastfeed?

How long will you breastfeed? and how long, is too long?

My son is 7 months old I will continue to breastfeed until he is 12-16months old.

I would say 24months old is to old to continue to breastfeed your child.

Anna Marie - posted on 12/08/2009

I agree that there is no 'too long'. However long wsorks for you and your loved one. ds is 3 next month and still likes to nurse once or twice a day. our new little one will also get the option as long as he likes. All of the ups and downs have been worth it.

Shavon - posted on 12/08/2009

I am still trying to pump.. my son refuses to nurse but ive been doing it for 4 months and 3 weeks

Amber - posted on 12/08/2009

im planning on breastfeeding for a minimum of 6 months, but i REALLY want to do a year if all goes well!

Katie - posted on 12/08/2009

I breastfed my first child until she was 1 yr and 3 months. I plan to breastfeed my new baby for atleast one year God willing. There is no substitute for breast milk and the bonding experience is unlike anything else.

Belinda - posted on 12/07/2009

As long as my kids want to. I am breastfeeding my 2 year old and my 4 month old at the moment.

Kathleen - posted on 12/07/2009

My first I breast fed until about 18 months, she decided she was done. My second was breast fed until she was 14 months I weaned her, I am pregnant and he is due soon and I didn't want to be feeding both. I plan I breastfeeding my third at least a year. To me there is no cut off age it is what works for both of us.

Mandy - posted on 12/07/2009

I plan on breastfeeding until my son is at least 1, but he's starting to show more interest in solid foods than nursing so we shall see!

Paige - posted on 12/07/2009

I'm going to breast feed until my child is about 1, I might stop before then.

Alyssa - posted on 12/07/2009

WOW. You all rock! Always up to 12mnths up to 2yrs! I only made it to 5mnths. My goal was up to 6mnths. The only support I had was with my husband (thank you hun) and my nurses of course. Still it was hard with a non understanding family and working fulltime job who i had to fight constantly to pump. Around 5mnths she started to want the bottle more and I couldn't keep up with the pumping so i had to resort to formula. I pretty much pumped myself dry. I am hoping to try harder if i have another because i firmly believe in breastfeeding no matter what is said. I just wish that more people were more supportive surrounding me.

The bonding time is so phenomenal, and she never got sick until she went to formula. If you can breastfeed do it as long as possible! Your child will tell you if they are ready.

Tia - posted on 12/07/2009

My little one is 31 months and still breastfeeding, when she doesn't eat well that day, I know that she is getting what she needs from me. And while the flu and swine flu is going around, I know I am giving her immunities that she needs to stay healthy. A doctor who tells you there is no benefit after 3 months needs to go back to school, thats that craziest thing that I have ever heard, how did they get there license? Anyway, when my little one is ready to wean herself thats when I'll be ready. I just want her to be the healthiest that she can be:)

Samantha - posted on 12/07/2009

1 yr,

Simone - posted on 12/07/2009

i met someone once who was still breastfeeding her 4yr old which i found wierd and not good for the child mentally........ i try and breast atleast 3 months but, get bad mastitus on my right side so, i cant keep going till 6 months like i want to

Mattee - posted on 12/07/2009

I plan on a year.

Keri - posted on 12/06/2009

I also like so many of you believe in allowing my daughter to self ween. She's 15 months and no where near ready to quit. I always told myself I'd try for two years to nurse but if she wants to nurse a little longer, I'm fine with it. Just something else to keep in mind... the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding until 1 year old, the National Health Association recommends breastfeeding until 2 years old. Tell that to the doctor that said it wasn't beneficial after 3 months - that makes me a little angry. It most certainly is beneficial!

Kelly - posted on 12/06/2009

i breastfed both mine my daughter till she was 16months when she bit me 3 times and i was pregnant with my son as well my son i feed till about 14 months he weaned himself he had enough and wanted to b like his sister i would have fed them both till they were 2 but not any longer i wouldn't feel comfortable at all

Terri - posted on 12/06/2009

My daughter "weened" herself @ 13 months. Quotations because it has only been 3 wks so who knows if she's done for sure. She hasn't missed a beat so I've let her be. I am super proud of myself, because not only did I breast feed for that long I can count on one hand how many times she received my milk from a bottle or cup. She was w/ me all the time.

Stefanie - posted on 12/06/2009

I'm still nursing my 3 year old along with my 7 month old. I don't think any age is too old if the child still feels they need that emotional bond.

R - posted on 12/06/2009

Quoting Cassy:

  There are times I have wanted to stop and I can't count how many times I was told to stop or how many doctors have told me that there is no benifit after 3 months.

What?! The American Academy of Pediactrics (the organization that all pediatricians in the US are acouuntable to) recommends that it is best to exclusively breastfeed for at least 6 months and not wean a baby completely until at least a year old.  Minimally the baby continues to get antibodies from the breastmilk which helps fight infection. They also say that there is no detriment to continueing into and beyond nursing into the third year.

I plan on exclusively breastfeeding between 7 and 9 months and then letting my baby self wean.

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 12/06/2009

Quoting Vanessa:

(I personally feel that if they can tell me they want my boob, then they are old enough to stop, but that's just my comfort level.)

This comment never ceases to amaze me...  as even a baby a few hours old will "ask" to be fed.

I nursed my twins on demand until they were two and a half - then I cut them down to before and after sleeping (naps and bedtime) and after injuries/traumas (so about 5-6 times a day, each).  The only reason I cut them down was because I pregnant again.  They weaned down to just in the mornings by about 4 years and the day before their fifth birthday was their last day of nursing.

Wow!  Go you, Momma!

Anna - posted on 12/06/2009

at least until 2 yrs! both the WHO and the AAP recommend until 2 yrs. don't ask your PED this though, because most of them are ignorant of this. :0)

Tracy - posted on 12/06/2009

I breastfed my eldest daughter till she was 19 months, and she self weanrd. I was pregnant with our second child, who is 10 months and like her sister is slowly dropping feeds. I think if you are able to feed then continue as long as you can.

Rebecca - posted on 12/06/2009

I am still "nursing" my 3 1/2 year old, but I am letting her self-wean, and sadly it is coming to a close. I am tandem nursing and it helped extremely in the early days, helping her except the new baby 6 months ago. Just recently I told her that big girls don't really "ned nini" and now she only asks to nurse every couple of days.

Vanessa - posted on 12/06/2009

(I personally feel that if they can tell me they want my boob, then they are old enough to stop, but that's just my comfort level.)

This comment never ceases to amaze me...  as even a baby a few hours old will "ask" to be fed.

I nursed my twins on demand until they were two and a half - then I cut them down to before and after sleeping (naps and bedtime) and after injuries/traumas (so about 5-6 times a day, each).  The only reason I cut them down was because I pregnant again.  They weaned down to just in the mornings by about 4 years and the day before their fifth birthday was their last day of nursing.

Lydia - posted on 12/06/2009

Well, Samantha and i just started, going on two months, maybe 6-7 months, I think it all has to do with the mother. On her lifestyle, her habits, if you feel u can harm ur baby then I suggest u stop all together.

Jessyca - posted on 12/06/2009

My first 2 self weaned when I became pregnant ( 21 & 23m) I plan to let my expected daughter self wean as well but my personal goal is at least 2y

Jennifer - posted on 12/06/2009

I allowed both my boys to self-wean. My first weaned at about 13 months, and my second weaned at about 14 months. I would have loved to have nursed until about 2 yrs, but it wasn't about me ;)

Paula - posted on 12/06/2009

My little girl is 14 months and i will breast feed her as long as she needs to. it is not a bother for me to do it. it gives me time alone with her when we are visiting family. For me it is very relaxing. If the baby wants to self wean great if not thats fine too. i am not ready to force her to stop. i think it is mean to just tell her no you cant have mommy milk anymore. She is too little to understand why i wont let her have it and for her is is natural to get milk this way. keep up the work ladies and dont let anyone get you upset for nursing after the age of 1.

Erika - posted on 12/06/2009

I breastfed my son until he was about 11 and half months old. I plan on doing the same with my daughter. Everyone has their own opinion on how long is too long to breastfeed. I personally feel that nursing for one year is good!

Erika
Everything is Possible When you Have Faith!
http://www.4MyFamilyandMe.com

Minnie - posted on 12/05/2009

Quoting Marycarmen:

Just 6 months, later than that your just giving water, your milk will not have all the nutritians that your baby need.

I think that probably someone has misinformed you on the nature of breastfeeding.  Human milk does not turn to 'water' after a certain period of time.  In fact, as the child grows, the components of the milk become tailored to his needs, and the immune factors become concentrated.  Milk is milk and continues to be milk for as long as mom is producing it.

Minnie - posted on 12/05/2009

Not my husband. He's such a sweetheart- he's my biggest supporter of extended breastfeeding. Lol, he' brags on it to everyone.

Kimberly - posted on 12/05/2009

my daughter is 6 months. I plan to nurse until between 12-14 months. I would do it longer but i have to do my two weeks military training and i dont know if she would be willing to stop nursing for two weeks and then go back to it we weill see!

I have noticed a trend...the husbands are uncomfortable. my husband is too past a certain point. but arent we the ones sacrificing and are we doing soething good for our kids why are they so bothered by that

Stina - posted on 12/05/2009

My dd is 7 mo and I will nurse her till she is 3 unless he weans before then.



She is my third and I've learned that with my first two I was doing things that were actually setting them on the road to weaning earlier than I had originally intended.



My first nursed till just after his 1st birthday. My second nursed till about 10/11 months.



5 years ago, I felt that nursing longer than 2 years was strange. Today, if I saw a woman nursing a 3 year old, it would strike me as a beautiful natural thing. I hope that my newest baby will nurse till at least 2 years. Nurse your baby as long as you and the baby want to.

Tweet - posted on 12/05/2009

10 months

Marycarmen - posted on 12/05/2009

Just 6 months, later than that your just giving water, your milk will not have all the nutritians that your baby need.

Hedda - posted on 12/05/2009

Im still breastfeeding my 16 month old and he isnt showing any signs of weaning yet. Im happy to feed him untill he is 2, Im not sure how I feel about going any longer than that though. Breastfeeding was the best decision ever for me and my son, to be honest bottle feeding was never an option.

Rikki Lee - posted on 12/05/2009

You should breastfeed as long as both you & your child want! Don't let anyone talk you into quitting. That is something you have to decide because only you will know when it's right! My daughter self weened @ 14 months & I plan on nursing my son who is now 6 months for @ least that long! :) It is something that is special between you & your child & once you stop you can't start again!