still breastfeeding a 1 year old

Caroline - posted on 02/14/2009

Continue to nurse as long as you and your son are happy! It is a great source of comfort and nutrtion for him! The world-wide breastfeeding average is over 4 years so it's not weird at all that you are still breastfeeding at 1 year. If the night feeding really bothers you at this point then you could just eliminate that one only.

Pauline - posted on 02/14/2009

It is not wierd that you're breast feeding a one year old.  Lots of moms breast feed well into the second year.  It sounds like he is doing well and eating well.  Also, waking up once during the night at his age is noraml  My 5 year old still wakes up once during the night at least once or twice a week.  My daughter who is almost one wakes up at least 3 times a night to nurse, I would not worry about it.  If he still wants to nurse, and you still want to nurse him.  I'd keep going.  It continues to be the most healhty and nutritious food you can give him.  You continue to fortify his immunse system and boost his ability to fight colds and other viruses with your antibodies through breast milk.  I think you can comfortably nurse until he's two before worrying about people thinking you are weird. 

Christine - posted on 02/14/2009

I am bombarding you, but thought this was also a good resource.

http://www.llli.org/Law/LawExtended.html

Christine - posted on 02/14/2009

Congrats on making it to a year!!!  That is fantastic.  Honestly, with all of the societal pressures to wean so early, it is a great feat to make it even a couple of months.  So, if you and your baby are both happy about nursing, then I say continue...full force ahead.  Are you just confused because others think you are 'weird' for still nursing, or because of other factors?  I know it is hard when you don't have the support of others, especially in this area.  Some have looked at me odd for still nursing my son and he is only 9 months.  I think it is important to just re-evaluate every once and awhile to ensure that you and your baby/toddler are still happy with your nursing relationship.  Having him so closely attached to you isn't a bad thing at all.  When he wakes at night, it def could be for comfort, but also could be because he is hungry.  If it is troublesome to either of you, gently wean him from it, but if it isn't, keep it up. 

Here are a couple of sites to check out:

The kellymom one is opened right to the extended-breastfeeding section:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/eb...

This is the mothering website, and is opened to the breastfeeding section.  There are several forums you might find interesting and informative. 

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/for...

I hope all these mama's giving you some reassurance that you are doing a great thing for your son eases your mind and heart.  Take care!

Nikia - posted on 02/14/2009

There is absolutely nothing wrong with you nursing your 1 year old. My daugther is 18 months and she's still nursing. We co-sleep, so she nurses whenever she wants throughout the night. And after I get home from work, she nurses whenever she wants. My plan is to continue until she turns two, unless she weans sooner than that.

You're doing just fine. Continue as long as you and your baby want to.

Nicole - posted on 02/14/2009

We're doing child-led weaning and my son still nurses at almost 26mo. I am also 32 weeks pregnant. He definitely is not nursing as much, but he loves it. He's also getting his 2yr. molars and was recently sick so he's been nursing more. My son also nursed 1-2 times in the night (which is why we co-slept w/him) until about 18 mo. when he night weaned himself. So I personally do not think it's a bad habit you'll have to break. We also transitioned my son into his own toddler bed that we put at the foot of our bed when he was about 24 mo. He was kicking me bad in the night in the back and tummy and I couldn't sleep. I told him I needed him to sleep in his bed because he was doing that, we would nurse to sleep in there and he did great. Not nursing him to sleep in there anymore as I can't get out due to my big old tummy. So if needed I nurse him in my bed, then he goes into his or I put him in there, although of late he's just going into his bed right away on his own. It works out if you're patient.

Also babies have a natural need to suck until 2+ yrs and if you take BFing away, they'll very likely find something else... like their thumb. Which is fine, but should be expected as again most will need to fulfill that need to suck.

Some links:
http://www.kathydettwyler.org/dettwyler....
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/how_w...

Oh and I should mention, my son is very healthy... he gets over illness faster when he does get sick and I think that's the BFing, and he also has only been sick like 5-7 times in his life so far. Most recently I really believe because he was nursing so little, so he got sick... but it's great he can go back to nursing more to feel better. I plan to tandem nurse both and let them both decide when they are done... empower them, let them know I am always here for them. I am seeing this contributes to a very smart, healthy, and very independent child.

Angela - posted on 02/13/2009

Congrats! I nursed my first son until he weened himself at 14 months. Our second son is only 6 months, but I plan to do the same...let him ween himself. I had no problems drying up and I was slowly getting ready like he was, all the way around. You're doing the right thing. My son also would nurse very well during one night feeding. Once he weened himself he just simply was fine with not eating at night. He was 100% when he needed to be. You're doing great. Trust your intuition and your babies cues. You'll know when the time is right.

Sarah - posted on 02/13/2009

Are you wanting him to sleep through the night? If so, shorten the undesirable nursing sessions slowly to wean off that time. Otherwise, why not practice baby-led weaning? My DD basically weaned herself at 14-15 months. I would have bf longer if she wanted to....Don't worry about what others think about your bf your son. You are the one who is right.

Krystal - posted on 02/13/2009

Good advice. I agree that you should keep nursing as long as you (and baby) want to nurse for.

Good luck!

Frances - posted on 02/13/2009

I have posted this view before, but if you have already read it, be patient.I was fortunate to be able to breastfeed my kids (I had 2,fed the first until just about 3, the second 2 1/2)a total of 5 1/2 years (with only a month break of a month where I stopped with my son in my last month of pregnancy with his sibling).My opinion is that you stop breastfeeding when either, mom or infant, want to.I also hold the opinion that others can say whatever they want but that your little one are the important ones.Just smile,nod, and do what you think is right.

Teresa - posted on 02/13/2009

I breastfed my first until 15 months and HE was the one that weaned himself. I was 5 months pregnanyt so I am not sure if it was the taste of the milk or the belly. he wasn't sleeping through the night either but did once we gave him wholr milk at night. waking was confort for him. I am currently bf my 8 1/2 month old and he still gets up at night too (totally comfort cause he is huge and eats tons of solids) but I am a sucker and do it, Do what makes you feel comfortable. it's your baby/child

User - posted on 02/12/2009

Our sons could be twins!! My 4th child is one in a couple of weeks and has about three feeds a day and also wakes at least once a night. I will read any suggestions with interest!

Guggie - posted on 02/12/2009

The WHO recommends breastfeeding for the first 2 years.

Jacquelynn - posted on 02/12/2009

First of all, Feb 1st was a popular day. My daughter was born on feb 1. She also has not slept through the night. I have attempted to wean her a couple times, but I give in to defeat. She drinks from sippy cups, reg cups, straws and everything else. She just started drinking reg milk and that's only when she wants to. I was told that as long as I'm producing enough then it isn't time to stop. Supply and Demand.

Emily - posted on 02/11/2009

You're definitely doing fine! If your son is super busy and active during the day, it's extremely possible that he still needs that middle of the night feeding to get all his calories in. If you want to stop that one, just encourage him to eat more during the day, and he should start sleeping through on his own when he is ready to.

I'm still nursing my 13 month old, and just barely weaned my 32 months old. Nursing toddlers is so wonderful for so many reasons. Others do think we're a bit strange, but thankfully, I have an awesome group of moms locally who are completely supportive of extended nursing and child-led weaning (several in this group are still nursing 3 and 4 year olds). Also, I've found that I don't really care what other people think of us still nursing because I know it's best for my children. I have committed to nursing my kids until they are at least 2 for the extra immune benefits. This meant that my second nursed right through my pregnancy with my third, and they nursed together for almost 13 months. I'm pregnant again with #4 and #3 will continue to nurse through this pregnancy and for at least 4 months afterwards. :)

Emma - posted on 02/11/2009

My daughter is 14 months old and i still breastfeed her. She's never slept through the night and is very close to me.  I think you have to go on your instinct, if you're happy still feeding there are still many benefits even at this age.  I wouldn't say that his night waking is because he's breast fed, it's more likely to just be habbit.  I personally love the bond i have with my daughter and enjoy the time we spend feeding which is the main reason i've continued. If you and your son are still enjoying it, i'd say stick with it.  Lots of people say they often change sleeping habbits around this age and my daughter is better than she was with sleep.

Beth - posted on 02/11/2009

I nursed my youngest until he was 15 months. He was ready for regular milk and I was relieved and ready to quit. I nursed at night as well...anything to be able to go back to sleep! Don't worry about opinions regarding your nursing. It's your body and your child. Just play it by ear and encourage the cup if it's right for you and him!

As for the night thing, with my oldest, I would let him cry for 5 minutes and eventually 10. Usually he would go back to sleep on his own after that. But with Bodhi, they shared a room and there's nothing scarier than 2 kids up in the middle of the night! Try the minute thing and see if it works.

Heather - posted on 02/11/2009

I don't think that it is a bad thing to keep nursing if you like it. If your going out of your mind, then ween. But, my 2yr old daughter still holds my hair when she sucks her thumb. I cut my hair when she was 10mo. old, that was what weened her. That was when she first started sleeping through the night and started sucking her thumb.

Allison - posted on 02/11/2009

Keep doing what you're doing - follow your baby and don't worry about what other people think. Also check out http://www.kellymom.com/ - you can get really great information on extended breastfeeding there. I also like the book Mothering Your Nursing Toddler by Norma Jane Bumgardner.

You certainly are not alone! My daughter nursed until 3 and my son is currently still nursing at almost 2 (and I'm 6 months pregnant, planning on tandem nursing if my 2 year old is still interested when the baby is born).

With regards to nursing at night - as long as it's still working for you, go ahead. It doesn't become a "habit" and it's not a bad thing. Eventually he will fall back to sleep on his own. I nightweaned my daughter at 19 months before she was ready, and she still woke up several times a night and needed rocking/singing until she got back to sleep. My son nightwearned on his own at about 21 months and has slept fairly well every since - both didn't sleep well until those pesky 2 year molars arrived. I honestly believe sleeping through the night is a developmental thing and will happen when they are ready.

Bethany - posted on 02/11/2009

My baby girl is 11 months old and we're going through the exact same thing.  She also still wakes once a night to nurse....so I'm wondering the same thing.  My family thinks I'm nuts for still breastfeeding, but I'm thinking I may just slowly ween Addy to only nursing once a day before bed....and then just let her decide when to quit from there.  Good luck in whatever decision you make!

Crystal - posted on 02/11/2009

You're doing fine. Some babies still need that nighttime feeding, and it sounds like your son does since he is eating so much.

I'm still nursing my 14 1/2 month old and will allow him to self-wean.

Celeste - posted on 02/11/2009

I dont think you should feed him at night,it will become a habit that could be hard to break.My little girl is also born on the 1 Feb and im still breast feeding her.I am starting to think of weaning her, because i can see she is getting more attached to the feeds, and it will be harder to wean her when she is older, but my heart still wants to feed her. Just go with your gut and dont worry what other people think.

Mindy - posted on 02/11/2009

I'm still nursing my 11 month old. She was waking up in the night also even if she has cereal before bedtime. So I think that this is just a comfort thing. Try letting him cry it out at night. I know that it is hard to let them do this but he needs to learn to sooth himself to sleep. Try putting a small radio in his room with soothing music for bedtime. Good luck and hope that you get rest soon!

Kathryn - posted on 02/11/2009

Congratulations!! It is a great thing you're doing! You can breastfeed as long as you and your baby want! I bf mine for 15 months and 20 months, and am currently nursing #3 who is 9 months. It is simply the best food out there for your little one. You will definitely know when he wants to wean, he'll just turn away from the breast. The World Health Organization recommends at least one year of bf, and currently recommends 2 years. So relax and enjoy the time with your son. He'll be grown before you know it!