When to wean

Ann - posted on 10/08/2011

You stick yo your guns, if you are happy and your son is happy carry on for as long as you want. I breastfed my first son until he was 2 and only stopped as I had a new baby. He is now nearly 14 months old and is breastfeeding as I type. I couldn't imagine stopping yet. You do whatever you feel is right for both of you.

Laurie - posted on 01/29/2009

I've known 4 year olds that were still breastfed. While, to me, that seems a bit extreme, I plan to nurse by daughter until she's ready to quit. there's no need to rush it. I would think, and this is just me, that you would still nurse his first and last feeding, and give milk at another time. My favorite time nursing time is my daughter's first feeding and her bedtime. I already know that her morning one will be the last one I wean, b/c that's my fav. Those are definite comfort feedings for them. So I would think trying to wean mid-day feedings first.

Jessica - posted on 01/28/2009

Keep going for as long as you can, dont worry what other people say, i gave up breastfeeding my son at 8 weeks because i wasnt producing enough milk, but i would have loved to be able to feed him as long as you have been.

Crystal - posted on 01/28/2009

When people make comments to me like that I say "yes I'm still nursing as the benefits of nursing don't magically disappear just because he turned 1" Then I inform them that I am the parent and I will do what's best for my child whether they like it or not. I nursed my oldest till he was 9 months, my middle child until she was 15 months and I'm going on 14 months with my youngest.

Amanda - posted on 01/28/2009

I have a firm belief that a child will wean when they are ready (the milk teeth in human children don't fall out until they reach 6-7 years of age). My oldest is about to be 5 and he self-weaned right before his 3rd birthday. My daughter is almost 3 1/2 and is still nursing twice a day. Are your friends/family members aware that the world average age for nursing is 4 years? There are huge benefits to breastfeeding past 12 months and even 24 months. I have never understood what makes people think turning 1 year old makes a baby (because they are still babies) suddenly need the nutrition and immune support that breastfeeding gives less. Most people are not even aware that breastmilk contains stem cells. In fact, there have been studies that show the breastmilk a toddler receives contains more antibodies then that of an infant. It makes sense too as toddlers are the ones into everything and putting everything in their mouths. Mother nature knows what she is doing and certainly human milk is better for a growing, developing human child than milk meant for a cow, whose purpose is to fatten up, not develop the brain systems humans have. At this point, no one says anything to me negatively, in fact, I have been able to educate so many of my friends & family that now I hear my mom BRAG to co-workers, friends, etc that I am still nursing.

When your baby gets to a certain point they won't be nursing as much, and most people won't even realize that you are still nursing. My daughter has been nursing only morning & night for nearly a year now, and only at home since she was about 18 months old, although I never hesitated to nurse her in public if we were out for extended periods of time. Find yourself a local LLL or babywearing/cloth diapering group. You can gains vast amounts of knowledge about breastfeeding and find friends with common grounds. Plus when you are sitting along side with 4+ other moms, all nursing toddlers it really helps to feel like you aren't the only one.

Jana - posted on 01/28/2009

I think you should nurse as long as you want to.  I nursed my daughter over a year and had her weaned around 15 months.  I knew I didn't want to have to give her formula, hence I nursed for over a year.  But since my daughter refused bottles, I decided to wean her because I wanted her to learn it was ok to be away from me for more then 2 hours.   My decision might have been different if she would had drank pumped milk, but she didn't.  You know what is best for your son.  I will also mention that my daughter didn't like cow's milk until she was fully weaned.  I wasn;t worried about her dairy intake while weaning because she was eating cheese and yogurt.  Good luck in whatever YOU decide.  And as for people telling you he is "too old" I don't think so.  Good luck.

Stephanie - posted on 01/28/2009

Quoting Emily:

There's no reason to stop if you don't want to. The World Health Organization recommends nursing until AT LEAST two years... Personally, I nursed my first for 4 1/2 months, my second for just over 2 1/2 years, and my third is still going strong at 13 months.

There's also a new community on Circle of Moms called, "Breastfeeding Past A Year" :)

Thanks I will check that out!

Molly - posted on 01/28/2009

I breastfeed Alan until he was about 11 months old. He pretty much gave it up on his own. I was nursing him just during the ngiht even though he really didn't need it, he was just doing it for comfort. As long as he is eating I wouldn't worry about it. You'll be able to tell when he is ready to stop.

Emily - posted on 01/28/2009

There's no reason to stop if you don't want to. The World Health Organization recommends nursing until AT LEAST two years... Personally, I nursed my first for 4 1/2 months, my second for just over 2 1/2 years, and my third is still going strong at 13 months.

There's also a new community on Circle of Moms called, "Breastfeeding Past A Year" :)

Jessica - posted on 01/28/2009

Nurse him as long as you want to. Nursing is such a personal decision. Other people should not be telling you what to do. It's between you and your little guy. You will get to a point where one or both of you is totally over it...then stop.

Gina - posted on 01/28/2009

There is no reason to stop nursing if you and your son want to continue. I breastfed my first daughter until she was over two (which caused my family to make critical comments), but I am so glad that I did! Breastfeeding was such as great bonding time for us, and nothing else is quite like it. My daughter let me know when she was ready to quit, and she weaned herself without a problem. I am so happy that I followed her lead, and I plan to do that with kid #2. I regret that my family does not respect and understand breastfeeding.

Katerine - posted on 01/28/2009

I wouldn't listen to them. It's recommended to nurse for one year and up to two years so continue what you are doing! It's so good for him to get breast milk. I plan on nursing for a year or more. Hope this helps