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looking for some support--- I'm still bf my 16 mo and she nurses a lot

Mindy - posted on 07/27/2010 ( 4 moms have responded )

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My 16 month old daughter is a champion nurser and I am an amazing milk-maker. We are a great pair. She nurses throughout the night, to go to sleep at night and everyday at least at naptime and sometimes decides in the middle of the day to climb up in my lap and lays down and tries to pull my top up to nurse.
This, and her age, is causing my family and friends (who were previously supportive of bf) to start to question me about when I plan to wean her and making comments about her being too old.
Her frequent and adamant nursing has kept me tied closely to her (she NEVER took a bottle - she always refused) and has of course strengthened our bond in that special way. I would like some freedom to be able to go away overnight or have a drink without so much planning, but really, overall, I am content to let her nurse away. She is my third and last baby and I love our bf bond. I have no real need to have her weaned and she seems to have the strong desire to continue to nurse.
So basically I am resolved to let her self-wean when she is ready, but I was writing looking for some support from others who truly understand. Considering all the naysayers in our life, it would be nice to hear from some people who are encouraging. Thanks!

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4 Comments

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Jenni - posted on 07/28/2010

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if you both want to keep nursing then go for it. My son is 3 and nurses only at night if he wakes. I've really enjoyed our bond. I've debated weaning him earlier but I did the same thing you're doing now, looking for support. I read as much as I could about the benefits of long term breast feeding and self weaning, check out the internet, so cool what you can find out there! oh try setting boundaries, I explained to my son he could not help himself, he had to ask, his nursing word is boo boo, so if we were in public and he asked for boo boo I'm able to tell him he has to wait a minute. This stopped him crawling into my shirt at the grocery store! :) Good luck and best thoughts to you two

Sammie - posted on 07/28/2010

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You are doing something that is VERY beneficial to your daughter and you.
Your daughter is reaping so many benefits from nursing and the longer you nurse the lower your risk of breast, ovarian, cervical, uterine cancers become.
Nothing but good comes from continuing to nurse a child. So dont let anyone tell you that its time to stop. You and your daughter will know when that time is.
My daughter nursed until she was almost 5yrs old and my son is 3.5yrs old and still nurses.
Keep going, you know your doing the absolute best possible thing for your child. Dont let anyone ever tell you different.

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 07/28/2010

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My daughter is almost 15 months and we're nursing 3-5 times a day. I don't live near family, but I'm sure if I did it would be an issue with my in-laws. My mom is an RN and she manages the Birth Center at her hospital. She is very supportive of me breastfeeding and so is my husband. Opinions of others don't really bother me, but being so far away from them they're easy to ignore. Hang in there! You are definitely not alone!

Celeste - posted on 07/27/2010

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You're definitely not alone! My twin boys are 3 years and 9 months. They never took bottles either (well, take that back, they did when they were tiny and one of them got nipple confusion. Once both were nursing, they never took a bottle) One of my boys just recently weaned about a month ago and the other one still nurses once a day. My family is very unsupportive. My mom makes snide comments about them nursing.

Just know that you're doing the best for your daughter. There are a ton of benefits as long as you're nursing! That knowledge really gave me the confidence to ignore my family..Hang in there!

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