When is the best time to stop breast feeding?

Laura Zoey - posted on 03/17/2011

Also in response to the bottle weaning at one year comments.

Bottles are imitation breasts and nipples, they do good, but they are still artificials.

The nipples in the bottles are not that good for the toddlers jaw development. The bottles can cause jaws to develop too small or to have over bites.

The portability of bottles also cause a problem because toddlers will drink it all day and become pickier eaters from filling up on cows milk.

Bottles are a means to an end, but they aren't actually good for the baby or toddlers teeth and jaws.

That's why the recommendation is to be off bottles sooner.

But if you actually look at the physicians advise, they say two years is ok with a bottle as long as it's only twice a day or so.



The thing about breastfeeding is that it HELPS good jaw development. It HELPS good teeth development.

So there's no reason to wean off the breast for any reason other then personal preferences. Or moms health.

A baby and toddler and preschooler have no bad things about breastfeeding, for the kids it's all good!

If mom wants to or has to wean due to medical reasons that's her choice. (which are really few when you have a dr who understands breastfeeding compatibilities)

Angela - posted on 03/17/2011

If you were to stop breastfeeding her now she would have to be on formula, which is full of junk I wouldn't even think to give to my kid unless I absolutely had to. Breastmilk is perfect for virtually every baby, why would you want to change perfection? Worldwide, the average age of weaning is 4 years old. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises at least a year, the World Health Organization recommends at least 2 years. When your child is ready to wean, she'll stop. If that happens before a year of age, your food bill and medical bills will go up. Do what is natural and continue to feed her your milk.

My personal experience: my first is 4 and still requests the boob. My second is 2 and still gets it 1-3 times a day. It's good nutrition and it's full of antibodies, it makes the child feel good and it makes both of us healthier. Why in the world would you want to stop?

Kemi-Alicia - posted on 03/16/2011

Hi,
There are so many benefits to breast feeding,
It helps build strong immunity as it also has anti-oxidants, prevents or delays onset of allergies; less likely to suffer from allergies, prevents anemia, stats show higher intelligence and can protect the mother from breast cancer.

My kid will be 3 in June and is still nursing (only at night now) but it depends on you too as it's your body. At least 12months is standard now.

It is the best thing you can do for your baby.

Don't feel guilty doing it, your kids comes first

good luck!
go mom go!

Emily - posted on 03/16/2011

If possible you should allow her to self-wean (let her decide when to stop the nursing relationship) What makes you feel like you shouldn't be breastfeeding her at this age? (You're not comfortable, not supported by family, society, etc) I breastfed my son until he was just shy of his 3rd birthday, and I plan on breastfeeding my daughter (now 10 mo) for at least the same, as long as she still wants to. If you're not comfortable with self-weaning, you should wean some time after her 1st birthday. The longer the better!

Kimberly - posted on 03/16/2011

If you can make it to a year I would say do that! You give your baby all the good stuff and you can avoid formula all together (money saver!) ;) Beyond a year I'd say it's totally a personal choice, if you're happy and if baby still wants it. My son started really cutting back at 14 months and pretty much self weaned shortly after. I wondered once we hit a year how we would ever stop nursing but he made the decision for me!

Charlotte - posted on 03/16/2011

hi, this comment is to try and clear up a comment i just read regarding the reccomendation of weaning baby off bottle so also weaning off boob. in fact i read somewhere that formula was made with it in mind that babies should have it untuil they are three, so although you are advised to wean the bottle, uts not whhats in it you should wean. just to be clear, im not at all promoting formula just clearing that up so people dontr think they need to wean at year becuase bottle fed babies are! also, just becuase a child can drink cows milk at 1 doesnt meam it should be their main source of milk, for example, the iron in cows milk isnt absorbed into body very well, its got lots of cow gunk in it also lol.

you should breastfeed as long as you feel comfortable. dont be pressured by society to stop. you are doing such a fantastic and special thing breastfeeding and the benifits of it never stop fascinatingf me!

Audrey - posted on 03/16/2011

It's entirely your decision. I breastfed my daughter up until last month and she was 27 months old at the time. Just for your information, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least one year and after that, for as long as both you and your child want to. The World Health Organization recommends two years of breastfeeding.

It's a very personal decision and only you can decide what is right for you and your child.

Katy - posted on 03/16/2011

hi :D i am also 20, my oldest is 4, and i am still breastfeeding my now 10 month old. i dont place on stopping anytime soon either. i dont pump and shes never really had a bottle, so nursing is all she knows. i plan on semi-self weaning, by not offering it after 12mos, but not denying it if she asks for it, you know ? but your LO is only 7 mos, thats deff not too big !! :) its recommended til 12mos, and longer if you can/want to.

Danielle - posted on 03/16/2011

I breastfed my daughter until she was a year old. I figure that when a baby is one year you are to wean off the bottle so I weaned off the breast. She is old enough to start drinking whole milk at that age and you don't have to worry about formula and bottled water. But it all depends on your situation. Good luck

Sina-Aurelia - posted on 03/15/2011

You will not believe it, but my son is 2 years (October 10th of 2010) and almost 6 months now and he still breastfeeds at least 3 times a day I know women that have gone as long as age 3, 4 and 5. The best advice is to stop when the child is ready to stop- I said I would go until 2 years and my husband thought that was much too long; but now i guess i will go until he is 3!

Krystal - posted on 03/15/2011

i am the same way with my kids i have three boys and the first two didnt feed past three months but my new born is 5 months now and he is still breastfeeding but since i work its like you i breast feed at night and morning he gets similac during the day i asked my doctor and he said its best till 1 yr because of all the nutrients and antibodies we have in our breast milk and by then they can have cows milk you dont even have feed all day long you can feed twice a day and pump the other times till they are 1 it is all on u and what you are comfortable with.im personally gonna wait till he can drink outta a sippy cup..

Angela - posted on 03/15/2011

Hello, Iam 23 years old and I have one child who is two. I just recently weened her at 2 yr 3 months. It all depends on you and you family and what is best for your situation. I can tell you that at he age of one baby only has 65% of their immune system, with that in mind, extended breastfeeding is not for everyone. Do some research on your own abou extended breastfeeding. Then think about your mental emotional and physical capabilities for breastfeeding. It's all really up to u. :) feel free to email me powderpuff1988@comcast.net if u want to chat about it. :)

Celeste - posted on 03/15/2011

In response to several posts that claim that there are no nutrients and/or antibodies past 6 months, this is very untrue. There will always be antibodies and nutrients as long as the child is nursing.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/eb...

Taken from kellymom.com:
* Although there has been little research done on children who breastfeed beyond the age of two, the available information indicates that breastfeeding continues to be a valuable source of nutrition and disease protection for as long as breastfeeding continues.

* "Human milk expressed by mothers who have been lactating for >1 year has significantly increased fat and energy contents, compared with milk expressed by women who have been lactating for shorter periods. During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet might be significant."
-- Mandel 2005

* "Breast milk continues to provide substantial amounts of key nutrients well beyond the first year of life, especially protein, fat, and most vitamins."
-- Dewey 2001

* In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:
o 29% of energy requirements
o 43% of protein requirements
o 36% of calcium requirements
o 75% of vitamin A requirements
o 76% of folate requirements
o 94% of vitamin B12 requirements
o 60% of vitamin C requirements
-- Dewey 2001

* Studies done in rural Bangladesh have shown that breastmilk continues to be an important source of vitamin A in the second and third year of life.
-- Persson 1998

* It's not uncommon for weaning to be recommended for toddlers who are eating few solids. However, this recommendation is not supported by research. According to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):

Some doctors may feel that nursing will interfere with a child's appetite for other foods. Yet there has been no documentation that nursing children are more likely than weaned children to refuse supplementary foods. In fact, most researchers in Third World countries, where a malnourished toddler's appetite may be of critical importance, recommend continued nursing for even the severely malnourished (Briend et al, 1988; Rhode, 1988; Shattock and Stephens, 1975; Whitehead, 1985). Most suggest helping the malnourished older nursing child not by weaning but by supplementing the mother's diet to improve the nutritional quality of her milk (Ahn and MacLean. 1980; Jelliffe and Jelliffe, 1978) and by offering the child more varied and more palatable foods to improve his or her appetite (Rohde, 1988; Tangermann, 1988; Underwood, 1985).

Antibodies:
* The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001).

* Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers (Gulick 1986).

* "Antibodies are abundant in human milk throughout lactation" (Nutrition During Lactation 1991; p. 134). In fact, some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process. (Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991).

* Per the World Health Organization, "a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness." [emphasis added]

It is your choice when to stop but breastmilk will always be beneficial as long as you choose to nurse

Nicole - posted on 03/15/2011

Hi Samantha, i have 4 kids & didnt breastfeed the first 3 as i had problems with milk supply ect. I do however feed my number 4 baby who is 11 months old! I always said i would only feed her till 6 months but decide i would make it 12 months so she would old enough to go straight onto cow's milk & drink properly from a sippy cup (my choice). I have read that from 6 months they get no extra nutrients from the breast milk but i think in the end there is no right time to stop feeding, it should be whenever you or bub are ready! I have friends that still feed there near 2yr old kids. i hope this kinda helps :-)

Jennifer - posted on 03/15/2011

This one is up to you. I have 4 children, the first 2 were weaned the week of their first birthday, then i found that i started getting Migraines that related to my period. My third child I waited until she was 17 months, and my 4th I just weaned in January when he was 2 yrs 4 months. When you decide to wean follow the farmers almanac it is amazing how it works

Joanna - posted on 03/15/2011

I didn't read all the responses yet, but I nursed my daughter til she was 4 and half, of course not in public by then she was only nursing at night, but I nursed in public until she was 3. I still occasionally nurse my son who is 3, but mostly he only nurses before bed. He cut down to just nap and night feeding around 18 months or so, and when he stopped napping at age 2 he only nursed at night before bed. Now he is three and still occasionally nurses before bed. I had to wean my daughter at age 4 but I think he will completely wean himself by then time he is 3 and a half. You shouldn't feel bad nursing her, she is still a baby and will be considered a baby until she is 2. I would definitely continue nursing her on demand until at least a year but preferably two years, if you make it to to years, some kids wean themselves before age 2, but I think most nurse until closer to age 3 or 4. Since breast milk is so good for her, I would continue fro as long as you can. Good luck!

Kelly - posted on 03/15/2011

I think you do what is best for you and your child. I hate it when people say you should go for a certain amount of time. It is all about you and your baby. I was the same way as you. I was unable to breastfeed my first, and I stopped around 8 months with my second mainly because it felt uncomfortable at that point. He was getting so big it was very uncomfortable for both of us. My advice, do what you feel is the best for you and your baby!

Karly - posted on 03/15/2011

I also had a hard time breastfeeding my 1st baby. He is now 3 and I have an 11 month old that I am still nursing. He and I both love it! My goal was to go a yr but seeing as thats in a few weeks I will most likely go past that. There has been a few comments by some people asking me when im going to stop and they think he is getting to old. However, I am doing what I feel is best for my baby and myself. Its healthy and the best thing for him! I know I will need to give it up soon so I am loving every min of it now :) Do whats best for the both of you, dont worrie about what other people say. Good luck!

Sarah - posted on 03/15/2011

I didn't stop breast feeding the last one til she was 2, probably almost 2 and a half. I will say that I think the recommendation is to feed them til at least the age of 1...but I gotta say that it really should be up to YOU. YOU are the mom, you need to decide what's best for you and your baby. My doctor told me to stop when she was 2, and I just couldn't...my daughter BEGGED me to feed her, even as I was weaning her (I needed to go on a medication for Rosacea, and it was incompatible with breast feeding) even my DH was telling me I needed to stop, and truth be told, I felt selfish in stopping, because my dd was so in love with it. Not me though, I was tired of it, but I couldn't resist her "Nurse you, mama, nurse you!" so if you don't want to deal with THAT, stop by age 1. If you don't care, then it is COMPLETELY up to you. And don't let anyone else dictate to you what you should or should not do with your body and your children... so long as you're not beating them ;).

Angie - posted on 03/15/2011

You should breastfeed her as long as you and your child both feel comfortable doing so. I believe the WHO recommends two years, although a lot of people don't go as long as that. If you stop before she's a year old, you'll need to give her formula until she's a year.

Cheri - posted on 03/15/2011

Hey hon, good on ya for breast feeding even as long as you have :) I've had 4 wee kiddies, now onto my forth and she's only 1 month old and i will be doing it until either she is ready to stop herself or 18 months, i never wanted to breast feed for more than a year but my last daughter wasn't having it so i finished when she was 18 months, but by then I was pregnant with my wee girl that i have now. It's totally up to you. You have to do what's comfortable for you and you've already given her the best start in life by breast feeding as long as you have :)

Melanie - posted on 03/15/2011

When to stop is your choice...when you feel ready...and you've done 7 months and that's so much more than many mothers are willing to do. There are people at both ends of the spectrum..some say a little is better than nothing and others will breastfeed until 2 or 3 yrs. I've aimed for 1 yr with both my girls...in the process of weaning the second one right now and she'll be 1 this month. I'm always sad to be done but also happy to have more freedom! I start my girls on whole milk at 9 months and so that's when I start weaning slowly, but again, it's up to you as the mom to make the best choices for your family :)

Carolyn - posted on 03/15/2011

I breastfed my son until he was 17 months. By that age, weaning was a piece of cake and done without tears. The World Health Organization recommends nursing until the age of two.You should nurse as long as you and your baby want!

Farah - posted on 03/15/2011

I think the answer is simple, when you and your baby feel it is time to stop. Most of the time you will feel that way before she will. Most Pediatricians recommend until 1 year and some until 2, but it is entirely up to you. I nursed my oldest until 2 and my youngest is 27 months and still nurses about 2 times a day. The amount of times they nurse per day lessens as they get older, and some moms who thought at 6 months old that they couldn't go on, at 8 months continue just because it wasn't as frequent as before.

Sarah - posted on 03/15/2011

My first stopped at around 18 months, not because we wanted to but because my second pregnancy caused my milk to dry up. I'd say go as long as your baby wants to. You're doing the very best thing for them, why not do it as long as you're able?

Kellie - posted on 03/15/2011

I am going thru the same dilema with my 21 month old. However, I've done A LOT of research and the studies indicate better emotional and psychological develop from allowing the child to direct the weaning. The US has one of the shortest periods of breat feeding in the world. Many developed countries go until age 3 and a former surgeon general has come out in favor of going until age 2.

Spring - posted on 03/15/2011

Samantha, if part of the problem you are experiencing is low iron make sure you eat vitamin C rich foods or take a vitamin C supplement with those iron rich foods as this will help your body absorb the iron better. As for the breastfeeding, when you decide to wean is a personal choice and you should not feel guilty about whatever you decide. Everyone is going to have a recommendation but it really comes down to what you are personally comfortable with. My little guy was weaned by 13 1/2 months but by that time he was playing more than nursing and didn't really miss it. I also made sure he was eating a wide variety of foods so that all of his nutritional needs were being met. I might have gone longer if he had shown a real interest in it but he mostly wanted to pretend I was a jungle gym

Spring - posted on 03/15/2011

Samantha, if part of the problem you are experiencing is low iron make sure you eat foods or take a vitamin C with those iron rich foods as this will help your body absorb the iron better. As for the breastfeeding, when you decide to wean is a personal choice and you should not feel guilty about whatever you decide. Everyone is going to have a recommendation but it really comes down to what you are personally comfortable with. My little guy was weaned by 13 1/2 months but by that time he was playing more than nursing and didn't really miss it. I also made sure he was eating a wide variety of foods so that all of his nutritional needs were being met. I might have gone longer if he had shown a real interest in it but he mostly wanted to pretend I was a jungle gym

Samantha - posted on 03/14/2011

yea guys i eat as much iron rich foods as i can, i had to get a blood transfusion when i was pregnant with my second cause my iron was just too low and it just dosnt seem to be gettin any better even tho i had 3 bags of blood, i am trying to eat as much red meat n other iron rich foods but its still not working for me, but i am trying to give my daughter the best

Gale - posted on 03/14/2011

Oh and make sure your drinking lots of water.

Amy - posted on 03/14/2011

You may want to gradually wean to avoid engorement. Im not sure how much milk you are making , but if you just go cold turkey you may have discomfort. Blessings and I am sorry the doc didnt give you news you were ready to hear. It will work out and just the fact that you love you baby enough to worry says much! Amy

Gale - posted on 03/14/2011

You can breastfeed as much as you want or as less as you want. I know weaning off slowly is a good thing, quitting cold turkey will be tough on you, you can get engorged it will hurt. So if you can nurse all the time, nursing once or twice a day will work. In the end when you know your done, then doing it gradually will be that much better for you.

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 03/14/2011

No, it won't be a waste at all. Did she recommend any solution for you iron issue? Can you add iron-rich foods and a supplement to help you?

Kate - posted on 03/14/2011

Samantha -- yes, you can still breastfeed a couple times a day. Spirulina can help raise your iron levels, as can eating good quality red meat. I was sick a lot when my daughter was new and I had trouble breastfeeding because of it too. Eat a ton of nourishing food and rest as much as you can, supplement if you HAVE to until you get your own health back on track. But you don't have to completely wean, either. ANY breastfeeding is definitely better than none!

Samantha - posted on 03/14/2011

thank you so much everyone for your advise :) i seen my doctor yesterday and she said that i am not benifitng from breast feeding cause of my iron and with my weight i am not strong enough to support 2 people at the moment as i am still fainting alot as the same when i was pregnant, and with 2 kids home alone everyday during the day its a lil scary... its just a real shame cause i dont want to stop yet. dose anyone know if i still breast feed at least once or twice a day will that help my daughter or just be a waste?

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 03/14/2011

Beth,

You should look at this thread about the benefits of BF beyond one year:

http://www.circleofmoms.com/breastfeedin...

Beth - posted on 03/14/2011

I think 12 months, because then after that they can drink cows milk, whole milk tho, and they will get what they need from that

Janice - posted on 03/14/2011

I still breastfeed my daughter 1x before bed. She is 16 mo.

Nicole - posted on 03/14/2011

I am a firm believer in child-led weaning,so in my mind the perfect aged is whenever he/she decides it is time to stop.....

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 03/14/2011

Ladies-

Please take a moment to review our guidelines:

This group is here to support families that breastfeed. We follow the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and La Leche League International (LLLI). This group is here to promote breastfeeding and support families who choose to breastfeed. Group Guidelines: 1. We do not encourage the use of Formula. Please refrain from recommending the use of formula. 2. This group does not encourage weaning an infant under 12 months of age for any nonmedical reason. 3. In line with LLLI we do not support or recommend the introduction of solids until around the middle of the first year. 4. Debates about when to wean are discouraged. Any posts that personally attack a member for their weaning choices, be it mother led, child led, or otherwise, will not be tolerated. 5. No posts that violate Circle of Moms No THUMPS guidelines

There are a lot of BF myths being stated in this thread. This post by one of our moderators may be helpful:
http://www.circleofmoms.com/breastfeedin...

If someone asks a question about when to wean, please feel free to share when it worked for you. However, do not pass judgement on another mom who chooses to BF for a longer or shorter time than you. What works for one family does not work for the next.

Please keep our guidelines in mind while posting in this community.
Thanks,
Sara
Admin

Roxana - posted on 03/14/2011

it is up to you and the baby, never should be because of others... if you started weaning, but still want to keep bfing going, keep nursing and don't use formula. Just stop when you both are ready so the process don't become traumatic for neither of you... btw I bf my 13mos old dd, and don't want to even think about weaning... :)

Jennifer - posted on 03/14/2011

The quality of mom's milk meets a baby's needs regardless of diet. The body takes what it needs for baby before mom: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/mo...

Christi - posted on 03/14/2011

I think the best time to stop is when both of you are ready to stop. I know moms who breastfed their babies until 2 years old, and moms that stopped at 6 months. I think its totally up to you.

Judy - posted on 03/14/2011

Samantha don't feel bad if you have started to wean already. It is a personal choice everyone has to make for themselves. You have to do what is right for you, and if that means weaning now then so be it. If you can still breastfeed some of the time that is great, but I know many bright healthy wonderful children that were never breast fed at all, and it has not hurt them one bit! I did breast feed my two boys. My oldest kind of weaned himself at about 11 months, and I had to stop with my younger son at about ten months because I had to take medication for a gall bladder problem, but I have 4 sisters, and some of them didn't breast feed any of their children, and there have been no adverse effects. Formula is made very well these days, and is a fine alternative in my opinion. It is however very costly. Breast feeding is much more cost effective. Either way there is no good mother award given out to those who breast feed for the full first year or beyond, and like I said formula fed babies are very healthy as well. Good luck!

Judy - posted on 03/14/2011

Samantha don't feel bad if you have started to wean already. It is a personal choice everyone has to make for themselves. You have to do what is right for you, and if that means weaning now then so be it. If you can still breastfeed some of the time that is great, but I know many bright healthy wonderful children that were never breast fed at all, and it has not hurt them one bit! I did breast feed my two boys. My oldest kind of weaned himself at about 11 months, and I had to stop with my younger son at about ten months because I had to take medication for a gall bladder problem, but I have 4 sisters, and some of them didn't breast feed any of their children, and there have been no adverse effects. Formula is made very well these days, and is a fine alternative in my opinion. It is however very costly. Breast feeding is much more cost effective. Either way there is no good mother award given out to those who breast feed for the full first year or beyond, and like I said formula fed babies are very healthy as well. Good luck!

Krystie - posted on 03/14/2011

i have a 18 month old who is still breastfeeding. 7 month old is still pretty young. as others have said WHO and APp reccomend 24 and 12 months minimum. my 4th got 2.5 years and 14 months of that was during pregnancy and tandem with her baby sister(aforementioned 18 month old)

Gale - posted on 03/14/2011

You can breast feed up to a year. I know some breastfeed up to 3 years and beyond. Its all on what you choose to do. I always figure a year is sufficient. I started the weaning with my son at 11mths, thinking a year was plenty. He nursed until he was 16 1/2mths.

Jennifer - posted on 03/14/2011

It is completely false that children no longer benefit from breastfeeding after a year. They still receive nutrition and antibodies that are designed for HUMAN toddlers. Switching to whole milk is not going to benefit the child in the same way as whole milk is nutritionally sound for baby COWS.

Melissa - posted on 03/14/2011

THERE IS NO BEST TIME TO STOP. The best thing to do is breastfeed as long as possible. (this from mama nursing 3 year old and 2 month old!) However, that said, if you are uncomfortable or not enjoying it at all - then you should look into weaning. But try to go at least a year if you can. Cheers!

Jennifer - posted on 03/14/2011

There is nothing wrong with still breastfeeding as 7 month old. Why do you feel like you shouldn't be breastfeeding her at her age? She's still very much a baby. If it makes you feel better, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding a MINIMUM of 1 year. The World Health Organization recommends a MINIMUM of 2 years! I personally breastfeed my kids until they decided it's time to stop. For my daughter, that means she went until she was 3 years 7 months old. My son is only 6 months old, so it should be interesting to see what he decides is best for him.
Good luck and enjoy this time -- she's only this little once!