do you think breastfeeding after 1 is ok?

Janice - posted on 04/12/2012

Julie I used to think a lot like you. Then I started frequenting COM. I learned that for most moms who choose to breastfeed into the toddler and pre-school years the nursing becomes less and less frequent as time goes by. I think it is a major misconception by most people that it keeps going like with a baby. Most older children only nurse 1-2x a day or even skip a day sometimes. Its nothing like the occasional 3 year-olds you see with a bottle in hand or mouth non-stop.



And my daughter got her 1st tooth at 5 months and had 10 on her 1st birthday. Yes she did bite me and it hurt. She didn't do it all the time though, usually only right before a new tooth broke through. But biting did end our breastfeeding at 17 months, I didnt know it till 2 weeks after we stopped but I was pregnant again which made the random bit unbearable. Biting is tough but usually workable. :)

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 04/12/2012

Karla---I actually think that if you never went to a LLL meeting then you should refrain from making any statement in judgment about the organization.

I must disagree. Many of us here, learn not only by attending things but making our own judgement on close friends experiences and what we have learnt via research. As a whole, I have an issue with anyone that dictates only one way is best and frowns upon those that have no choice (or does choose) to do it another way.

Would you feel the same way if there was a pro-formula organization out there dictating in the same way as LLL (other than the manufacturers)? Would you have nothing to say unless you attended meetings? Or would you consider your research and close friends experiences a good source to have an opinion? What if the pro-formula group was so gung-ho, that they made mother's that had to breastfeed due to financial bearings, feel bad?

Yes, LLL is a valuable resource for many wanting to breastfeed. It just should NOT be jammed down everyone's throat via media sources. Period. It is one thing to create awareness and provide education, it is another to shun those that do not follow, for whatever their specific reason may be. I am pro-breastfeeding. I am here to help anyone understand the benefits, I however, am not that righteous person to make statements that my way is superior and others are inferior. Which I do find LLL to come across as. As a whole, this organization is very biased, yes, they are all for breastfeeding but, that does not mean they gain an advantage by dissing mother's choices outside of their beliefs.

Karla - posted on 04/12/2012

Meme,”So, I should probably refrain from making such a generalized statement, since I am sure it is not all of them.



I truly believe in what they stand for. I am just not appreciative of those within LLL that come off as breastmilk is the only food someone should give their baby.



I actually think that if you never went to a LLL meeting then you should refrain from making any statement in judgment about the organization.



If in fact a friend of yours went to a LLL meeting or talked to a Leader then the Leader would assume your friend wanted to find success with breastfeeding; perhaps there was a miscommunication about that. There may be members of LLL who are not supportive, but Leaders are trained to encourage moms to make their own decision.



Julie, ”I only got an answering machine and no one ever called me back. “



I’m sorry to hear you had that experience, but I’m glad to know you got help from another source. LLL is primarily a volunteer organization; individual groups are run by volunteer Leaders.

Celeste - posted on 04/12/2012

Julie: Jenn, I wasn't trying to offend anyone or post misinformation. My pediatrician and my son's speech therapist were the ones that told me that breastfeeding beyond age 3 can cause speech problems



Your pediatrician and ST are mistaken. There's no evidence that nursing beyond 3 causes speech problems. My twin boys have been in speech (prematurity, genetic condition) and they were aware of me nursing and never said such a thing.



"Honestly I don't know how women nurse much longer than what I'm planning because my son is finally cutting his two bottom teeth and has been biting me and it's painful. If he doesn't stop soon I may not make it to 2. "





It's not that difficult. My boys weren't ready to stop so I let them continue. You can teach them not to bite. One of them bit but after I dealt with the situation, he never bit me again.



"Most children are fairly vocal by 3 and smart and maybe even attending pre-school and if you continue to nurse they're going to talk about it in public"



Not necessarily. My twin boys have been attending preschool since they were 3. One weaned at 3 1/2 and the other at 4 1/2. It never came up. It just was something they didn't discuss





" My neighbor's kids did and other neighbors called social services on them. Granted there were other things going on, but I think in our society there comes a point when it's viewed as sexual misconduct whether that's the case or not"



I'm not going to let society dictate what I feel is best for my kids. Nursing beyond whatever age IS NOT sexual.



" I would think if it was beneficial for older children to be breastfed then the World Health Organization would be recommending it up to an older age than what they have, but to each his own."



Did you not see where I posted the info from WHO and the AAP?



The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age OR BEYOND.





“Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child… Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother… There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer.” (AAP 2005)





ETA: I just want to add that we all want the best for our kids. Moms have their own comfort zone and I can respect that. But, understand that letting them self wean was what I felt best for my kids. I *NEVER* thought they'd nurse this long because the longest I nursed was 17 months.

Julie - posted on 04/12/2012

For me LLL was not helpful at all. I called them when my preemie son was in the NICU and struggling to learn how to nurse and I wasn't sure how I felt about using a nipple shield. I only got an answering machine and no one ever called me back. I received more support from another mom who had twins in the NICU a year before. My son's main nurse gave her my number and she called to give me suggestions.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 04/12/2012

Karal B---Just curious, is that from personal experience, or just here-say? I have heard that before, but it was not my experience at all. I was even worried about going to a LLL meeting because of things I read, and it was totally unfounded.

Not that I want you to trash them, but just curious if your opinion comes from your personal encounters with LLL or not.

No, I cannot say it is from personal experience. I can only say it comes from other's that have had personal experience (not many 2or3) and from a lot of what I have read about them (although many readings were generally great information but others were very biased). So, I should probably refrain from making such a generalized statement, since I am sure it is not all of them.

I truly believe in what they stand for. I am just not appreciative of those within LLL that come off as breastmilk is the only food someone should give their baby. Since, some Mom's, including myself, have found themselves in a position of needing to use formula, at some point. I just can't respect those that can't advocate something and understand the other side as well. It's great to be passionate about something but if you are ridiculing those that don't/can't do it your way, then you are being very ignorant about particular situations. Nobody should ever be made to feel terrible for formula feeding, I find LLL can do just that, at times.

Honestly, I enjoy information from an unbiased approach. This is how you are able to get appropriate information and make informed choices. AAP and WHO are fairly unbiased. They advocate breastfeeding but they also support formula, since they understand, feeding your baby is the most important thing. ;)

Julie - posted on 04/12/2012

Jenn, I wasn't trying to offend anyone or post misinformation. My pediatrician and my son's speech therapist were the ones that told me that breastfeeding beyond age 3 can cause speech problems. I think the operative word here is CAN. Obviously it won't in every case, but the potential is there. Granted I think it would definitely depend on how much breastfeeding was being done by that point. My son is 18 months old and right now is down to nursing only 1-2 times a day because our life is too busy and with his tube feedings he's usually not hungry enough to nurse on top of that because he has volume issues with his stomach. Children who are that old and being constantly nursed might be at more risk. I didn't ask too much about why they have found this to be true since I don't plan on nursing my son past age 2, but since my son is already at risk for speech problems due to the frontal lobe damage he sustained at 2 months when he had meningitis and a stroke I'm trying to follow all recommendations to intervene early in the hopes he won't have the speech problems he's at risk for. In the end it's up to every mother to do what she thinks is best for her child after careful consideration of her child's doctors' recommendations, research she does on her own and in my case inspiration in answers to prayers. Honestly I don't know how women nurse much longer than what I'm planning because my son is finally cutting his two bottom teeth and has been biting me and it's painful. If he doesn't stop soon I may not make it to 2. I think how old to breastfeed is similar to when do you decide to let your child of the opposite sex stop bathing with you or coming in the bathroom with you. For my husband with our 6 girls it was always when they started touching or saying something about his man parts. Then it was, "O.k., time for them to stop coming in the tub with me." Most children are fairly vocal by 3 and smart and maybe even attending pre-school and if you continue to nurse they're going to talk about it in public. My neighbor's kids did and other neighbors called social services on them. Granted there were other things going on, but I think in our society there comes a point when it's viewed as sexual misconduct whether that's the case or not. I would think if a woman felt it was really important for her children to continue to drink breastmilk that she could pump her milk and give it to them in a cup when they were older. To me that's a lot of trouble, but more power to the women who want to go through the effort to give their children what God gave us the ability to produce for them. Maybe it is just our country that views breastfeeding older children as wrong and maybe all over the world older children are breastfed. I don't know because I haven't traveled all over the world and I live here so I have to be concerned with just that and how my actions affect my children. Yes we shouldn't judge others, but this is definitely an area where in the U.S. women will be judged for breastfeeding their children too long and as others have mentioned I think their are lots of other ways to continue to stay close to your older children and nourish them without breastfeeding past age 2. I would think if it was beneficial for older children to be breastfed then the World Health Organization would be recommending it up to an older age than what they have, but to each his own.

Karla - posted on 04/11/2012

Meme, "I also don't have a lot of respect for LLL. They are way over the top and are strong against anything that is not breastmilk."

Just curious, is that from personal experience, or just here-say? I have heard that before, but it was not my experience at all. I was even worried about going to a LLL meeting because of things I read, and it was totally unfounded.

Not that I want you to trash them, but just curious if your opinion comes from your personal encounters with LLL or not.

Lady Heather - posted on 04/11/2012

So most don't even leak from the side they aren't using. That's the biggest problem for me is my boobs work in tandem. I guess I should have had twins.

Celeste - posted on 04/11/2012

If you have oversupply, you'd probably still leak. But in general, supply usually regulates where you aren't engorged and don't leak. If course, I'm not saying this is true in all cases.

Lady Heather - posted on 04/11/2012

Whoa, wait- we are supposed to stop leaking at some point? My boobs have been dripping all over since I was 8 weeks pregnant and she's six months old now.

Laurel - posted on 04/11/2012

What's wrong with becoming attached? They are little kids....it's okay if they are attached.

Celeste - posted on 04/11/2012

"Sorry, just seemed as if you were trying to tell me that I had no clue. You only nursed one more than I. ;)"



NO! Not at all! I apologize if I came off that way. I certainly didn't mean to.



"However, where breastmilk may not cause caries, I can say that nothing will cause them. Since, a child's teeth need to be brushed after every feeding, this inlcudes breast milk or any food"



Oh, yeah, I definitely agree that good dental hygiene is important, whether breastfed or not.







"I also don't have a lot of respect for LLL. They are way over the top and are strong against anything that is not breastmilk. Of course they are going to say it doesn't cause decay (they have an issue with a Dad feeding their baby with a bottle in a commercial...lol). Similac probably says their formula doesn't either. ;) I prefer information coming from a pediatric dentist. Which is what my daughter went to for 10 years. They are unbiased and just go with what they are taught from studies and research."



Sorry you feel that way :( I agree that some LLL can go over the top. I have friends that are LLL leaders as well as IBCLC, and they are NOT like that at all.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 04/11/2012

Sorry, just seemed as if you were trying to tell me that I had no clue. You only nursed one more than I. ;)

However, where breastmilk may not cause caries, I can say that nothing will cause them. Since, a child's teeth need to be brushed after every feeding, this inlcudes breast milk or any food.

Many parents do not realize how important it is to brush after feedings. Anything at all sitting on their teeth can cause decay.

I also don't have a lot of respect for LLL. They are way over the top and are strong against anything that is not breastmilk. Of course they are going to say it doesn't cause decay (they have an issue with a Dad feeding their baby with a bottle in a commercial...lol). Similac probably says their formula doesn't either. ;) I prefer information coming from a pediatric dentist. Which is what my daughter went to for 10 years. They are unbiased and just go with what they are taught from studies and research.

Celeste - posted on 04/11/2012

"Celeste---

You can disagree all you want. 1st of all it is common sense. Anything on a child's teeth can cause decay. Secondly, I breastfed twice, both times I was a faucet for months! Are you all of a sudden an expert? Or is this all from reading on the internet?"





Geesh, no need to get snippy. Just disagreeing. I don't get all of my information from the internet. I also get my information from friends that are LLL leaders as well as IBCLC's. I've nursed 3 kids and I stopped leaking after a few months. Expert? No, but I'd say I'm pretty knowledgeable.



"How about, you go and ask your dentist. Rather than read pro-breastfeeding links...;)"

Dentists don't get much lactation education, so he would be the last person I'd ask.



"I am pro-breastfeeding but not to the extent that I am completely immersed and can't think correctly"



Um, OK? I'm pretty level headed when it comes to breastfeeding too. Like I said, I KNOW that kids can get dental caries, breastfed or not. I'm not under the impression that breastmilk is a magical potion or anything. Just that breastfeeding itself isn't going to cause dental caries, speech problems, or any other problems that people tend to blame breastfeeding on.



You can disagree, that's fine. But no need to be ugly about it :( Just having a discussion

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 04/11/2012

Celeste---
You can disagree all you want. 1st of all it is common sense. Anything on a child's teeth can cause decay. Secondly, I breastfed twice, both times I was a faucet for months! Are you all of a sudden an expert? Or is this all from reading on the internet?

How about, you go and ask your dentist. Rather than read pro-breastfeeding links...;)

I am pro-breastfeeding but not to the extent that I am completely immersed and can't think correctly.

BTW - The link I provided was 2009. Not 1999, as you are referencing.

Celeste - posted on 04/11/2012

"I have to disagree with this statement. I had sooo much milk, it came out like a tap even when my babies were not using them. ;) Also, if you're baby is always on your boob, yes, it can cause tooth decay. Also, extended breastfeeding can cause tooth decay. "



Sorry, totally disagree. Most moms stop leaking after a certain time, usually after supply adjusts unless mom has OALD. Extended breastfeeding itself does not cause tooth decay.



This snippet is from the link I posted in the previous post. In the same link there are more references.



Up until recently, the only studies that had been done were on the effects of lactose (milk sugar, which breastmilk does contain) on teeth, not the effects of *complete* breastmilk with all its components. Breastmilk also contains lactoferrin, a component in breastmilk that actually kills strep mutans (the bacteria that causes tooth decay). According to a recent article in the March/April 1999 issue of Pediatric Dentistry, “It is concluded that human breast milk is not cariogenic.” This study utilized extracted teeth to obtain most of its results and studied children only for determining the pH changes in dental plaque (Erickson 1999). A Finnish study could not find any correlation between caries and breastfeeding among children who were breastfed longer (up to 34 months) (Alaluusua 1990). Valaitis et al concluded, “In a systematic review of the research on early childhood caries, methodology, variables, definitions, and risk factors have not been consistently evaluated. There is not a constant or strong relationship between breastfeeding and the development of dental caries. There is no right time to stop breastfeeding, and mothers should be encouraged to breastfeed as long as they wish.” (Valaitis 2000).



More links:

http://www.brianpalmerdds.com/bfeed_cari...



http://www.bflrc.com/ljs/myths/dentalca....



"Some kids just have bad teeth. Whether you breastfeed or not"



Yes, I'm fully aware of that. I don't think I said that if you breastfeed that you won't get dental caries. Breastfeeding *ITSELF* does not cause dental caries. And yes, I know a few moms whose breastfed child has had dental caries.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 04/11/2012

Celeste---Secondly, breastfeeding (in general) does not cause tooth decay because unlike the bottle, a child has to be actively sucking to get milk out and it doesn't pool in the mouth.



I have to disagree with this statement. I had sooo much milk, it came out like a tap even when my babies were not using them. ;) Also, if you're baby is always on your boob, yes, it can cause tooth decay. Also, extended breastfeeding can cause tooth decay.



Tooth decay requires direct interaction between the bacteria that cause decay and a food or drink that bacteria can turn into acid. Children usually acquire these bacteria from their mothers around the time of their first tooth.



Clearly, breastfeeding puts most children at very minimal risk of cavities and is protective for many children. But under certain and very specific conditions breastfeeding may push the limits of a child's capacity to ward off tooth decay. This may occur when breastfeeding:



-Is very frequent

-Occurs repeatedly throughout the night

-Is not followed by cleaning the baby's mouth



This complexity explains why the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has developed a carefully stated position on breastfeeding. The academy fully supports breastfeeding. But it cautions that, "the risk of potentially devastating … decay exists for the breast-fed child as it does for the bottle-fed child."



http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtS...



ETA:

My daughter was breastfed for 18 months, exclusively. She has had numerous cavaties. We do not eat high sugar food, nor do we eat bad foods. She never got juice until she was 4 or so.



Some kids just have bad teeth. Whether you breastfeed or not.

Tiffany - posted on 04/11/2012

Breastfeeding after age 1 is not only okay, it is actually GREAT! I don't know a lot of women who continued to breastfeed up until age one, let alone past it. Of course at age 1, the child starts eating more solid foods, but breastfeeding here & there definitely won't hurt. I breastfed my son until he was 2 years & 3 months old!! After age one, it was just at naptime & bedtime, but still. I believe we should be supportive of all moms who choose to breastfeed for however long they are able!

Celeste - posted on 04/11/2012

And yeah, breastmilk isn't a magical potion where kids never get sick. OF COURSE breastfed kids get sick.

Celeste - posted on 04/11/2012

I wish we had a quoting feature! Blah!!



Quoting Julie:

". I only breastfed my first 3 children until age 1 just as the A.A.P. recommends. "



Actually, this is what the AAP recommends.:

“Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child… Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother… There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer.” (AAP 2005)



". Our pediatrician told me that they usually don't recommend breastfeeding past 18 months because babies teeth are coming in and they can get the equivalent of baby bottle tooth decay."



First, many pediatricians aren't really trained in human lactation. Secondly, breastfeeding (in general) does not cause tooth decay because unlike the bottle, a child has to be actively sucking to get milk out and it doesn't pool in the mouth.

http://kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/to...



A snippet from Brian Palmer, who's a dentist:

Per Brian Palmer, “Human milk alone does not cause dental caries. Infants exclusively breastfed are not immune to decay due to other factors that impact the infant’s risk for tooth decay. Decay causing bacteria (streptococcus mutans) is transmitted to the infant by way of parents, caregivers, and others” (Palmer 2002).



Oh and I should add that my pediatrician rocked. She is very pro breastfeeding and was thrilled that I was "still" nursing my boys at 2.



"The World Health Organization though recommends breastfeeding until 2 which I think is reasonable"



No, this is what the WHO recommends:

The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age OR BEYOND.



" That's when I plan weaning my son because older than that I think it creates a weird mother/son dynamic and interferes with speech



There's no evidence of either that you posted. There's no evidence of interference of speech. And as a quote from the AAP



… There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer.”

Laurel - posted on 04/11/2012

I breast fed my youngest until he was a little over 2 years old. The closeness of going to sleep together and the comfort he got from breast feeding was wonderful.

Christine - posted on 04/11/2012

It is absolutely okay to nurse passed age 1. I recently stopped nursing my son who will be 2 years old in 5 weeks. I think many mothers have many different opinions on the topic and for some it's a comfort thing. Not for me. I knew I wanted to nurse my baby before I got pregnant with him. I couldn't nurse my oldest son and I think I felt inadequate because of that. I did, however, tell myself that once his teeth came in that I would ween him out of fear of being bitten. I didn't. I also didn't have any problems with switching from a bottle to a sippy cup to a 'big boy' cup. He started using a sippy around the time he started crawling which was 6 months. Then a 'big boy' cup when he started walking at 9 months all the while still nursing.

Janice - posted on 04/10/2012

I just got the message Shawn. Thank you. And from Karla B too :)



Now I see its a hot topic lol

Karla - posted on 04/10/2012

Meme and I aren't discovering any new fun things. :-(

http://www.circleofmoms.com/debating-mum...

Shawnn - posted on 04/10/2012

Link it, Karla, Link it! LOL

Karla - posted on 04/10/2012

Okay, I'm starting a thread on this... let's see what we can do... ;-)

Karla - posted on 04/10/2012

Thanks Meme -- that helps - especially the bold, much easier than typing (strong) every time!

Shawnn - posted on 04/10/2012

thanks to Karla, the special text guru...or mine at least LOL..



And to MeMe...



I guess my age is showing...LOLOL!

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 04/10/2012

For Italic you can also use (i)text here(/i) but with instead of the ().



text here



Or for bold you can also use (b)text here(/b) but with instead of the ().



text here



;)



ETA:

It is HTML coding. You can look it up and find different things, as well...

Karla - posted on 04/10/2012

Seeing if this fixed it...



I p.m.ed Janice & Shawnn about this, but for anyone else who wants to know...

bold is done like this

(strong ) and undone (/strong) but with instead of ()

so it looks like this and then back to normal

(em) and (/em) toggle italics but use

So it looks like this... good deal

with a random word your toggle will look like this when you type it -- and

(blockquote) and (/blockquote) but with instead of () - looks like

this

Your text here

Karla - posted on 04/10/2012

I p.m.ed Janice & Shawnn about this, but for anyone else who wants to know...

(blockquote) and (/blockquote) but with instead of () - looks like

this

Your text here

Jenn - posted on 04/10/2012

Breastfeeding does not cause speech problems! Pacifiers and thumb sucking constantly certainly can but unless baby is on the boob for hours on end, it will not interfere with speech development.



Genetics, environment and other factors will always play a role in children's health. I am rarely sick and I was formula fed because my mother didn't like nursing me. However, there is plenty of research to back up the fact that breastfeeding boosts baby immune systems. It isnt going to keep children from becoming ill. That information isn't meant to make those who formula feed feel bad, it is simply fact. Mothers who give other mothers hell because they choose to not breastfeed should be ashamed of themselves. Parenting is difficult enough as it is! No mother is perfect. We all make decisions every day trying to do right by our children.

Julie - posted on 04/10/2012

Newborns can take vitamins Patricia. My son has been given Tri-vi-sol with Iron since he was a 32 week preemie in the NICU. When he was anemic he had iron drops as well. Now he has a vitamin D deficiency and he gets those in liquid form in his g-tube. Just because he can take vitamins doesn't mean that he still doesn't need the nutrients and antibodies from breastmilk.

Julie - posted on 04/10/2012

At any given time I have 4 types of milk in my fridge. Those in our house who aren't lactose intolerant will only drink whole milk. I drink skim because I don't need any extra fat, having 7 babies has given me enough already:) Then my 4 year old can't drink cow's milk or soy so she has almond milk in there at the moment and my 18 month old has his hypoallergenic formula in there that we mix up in a pitcher. If I had time to pump there would be breastmilk in there too to mix with his formula like we did when he first came home from the NICU, but it's softball and soccer season so not enough time.

Julie - posted on 04/10/2012

Bonnie, Your son probably wasn't exposed to a lot the first 3 years if he wasn't in daycare and doesn't have older siblings. All children under 5 are building their immunity and will get frequent colds and illnesses. Vitamins are good for overall nutrition which is good for overall health, but won't necessarily make any difference in how often he gets sick. My son had strep pneumo meningitis when he was only 2 months old, just before he was going to receive his first immunizations. The infectious disease doctor said when they first tested his blood to see what he was ill with that he had strep pneumo antibodies which he said were given to my son through my breastmilk. He said that he could have died from the illness had he not had those antibodies from me helping him fight it. The infectious disease doctor said that breastfeeding prevents a lot of illnesses or if your child does get sick make the illness less severe(last for a shorter time or helps your child be better able to fight it because of the antibodies they get from the breast milk.) Many studies have been done comparing illness in breastfed babies to formula fed babies that prove this is true. That's why even though my son has struggled with eating and it took him 6 months to learn how to breast feed and he needs formula to gain weight they still encouraged me to keep breastfeeding to help his immune system.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 04/10/2012

It doesn't sicken me because it is all the milk that is in my house. ;) If I didn't give my 17 month old cows milk than he wouldn't get any, since we are not "into" goat or soy and I am not lactating.



We all drink cows milk in my home, we all switched from 2% to Homo, when my boy turned 12 months and switched from formula (much easier, I tried buying the two types for a month or so and it was ridiculous to do).



My 13.5 year old has been drinking cows milk since "I" weaned her at 18 months. So, that is 12 years she has been drinking it. She isn't looking anything like a cow, so I would have to say "it has done her body good". ;)



ETA:

If any of us were intolerant or allergic, than we would have different milks. Since we are all good with Cow, it is what we all drink. I do not feel bad about it. i would feel bad if I didn't give them any. ;)

Pauline - posted on 04/10/2012

I think it is more important to parent to your child by listening to their needs rather then following a specific timeline. I have friends whose children have weaned on their own between the ages of 1 & 2. My son has been a special exception nursing at 3 yo. I admit it is not always easy as I now have a 2 month old which has increased his need of nursing even more.I do have to set limits, but am trying to meet the need of my son. The question I must ask...is why doesn't it sicken us to give our children milk from another animal?

Bonnie - posted on 04/10/2012

I honestly don't think breastfeeding has much to do with how little a child gets sick. When it comes to certain illnesses, maybe, but otherwise no. My first son was breastfed for nearly 11 months and for the first 3 years he was never sick. Then he started school before he turned 4 and he has been sick with colds, coughs, and stomach bugs pretty much every 6-8 weeks. We just recently started our boys on vitamins. We'll see how that goes and if it will help any.

Julie - posted on 04/10/2012

When I was younger I didn't think so. I only breastfed my first 3 children until age 1 just as the A.A.P. recommends. When my 4th was a year old she got a severe case of "stomach flu" that lasted 5 days and the pediatrician said I should keep breastfeeding every hour to stay ahead of the vomiting and diarrhea. Before she was well she wound up with double ear infection and pneumonia as well. The pediatrician said she would have been so much sicker had she not been getting extra immunity from my breastmilk. So I nursed her until she was 13 or 14 months and completely well. Then my 5th I thought might be my last, so for sentimental reasons I nursed her for 15 months. My 4th and 5th also had problems switching to cow's milk so I decided to nurse my 6th until 18 months and wait until then to introduce cow's milk. She still had problems with cow's milk and soy milk and can only drink rice, almond or coconut milk. When my 7th was born he was premature and he has had all sorts of health problems. It took him the first 6 months of life to learn how to breastfeed. Then when he turned a year old he refused a bottle and a cup and didn't eat solids very well so if it wasn't for breastfeeding he would have received no nutrition. He has continued to struggle and so now gets fed hypoallergenic formula through a g-tube. He still breastfeeds a little as a comfort thing once or twice a day. Usually he nurses right before bed. This is really helpful because he freaks out being hooked up to the tube and pump at night to receive his feedings so if I can get him to fall asleep at the breast then we can get him hooked up to his night feeding without incident. Our pediatrician told me that they usually don't recommend breastfeeding past 18 months because babies teeth are coming in and they can get the equivalent of baby bottle tooth decay. The World Health Organization though recommends breastfeeding until 2 which I think is reasonable. That's when I plan weaning my son because older than that I think it creates a weird mother/son dynamic and interferes with speech. I had a neighbor who breastfed all 6 of her children including her 12 year old twins and I think that is just wrong. Even 6 is too old. I think it depends on the child, but my general opinion is if they're old enough to walk up to mom and say the words, "I want to nurse." then they are too old to be breastfed.

Shawnn - posted on 04/10/2012

Kaci, I do share that! I do! LOL...now my main worry is keeping enough food in the fridge to keep the tow (both 6'4" or taller, 180 lb) young men fed NOW!!!LOL



Oh, and the mixup on the how many times sick...LOL...I giggled...we ALL get those things mixed up! That's why I rated funny, btw... ;-)



Janice, did you get it??? I tried to send it to you...

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 04/10/2012

BTW - As I have said before. I was able to breastfeed my girl for 18 months. I thought for sure, I would have no problems with my son. I was WRONG. I made it 3 months and that was it. My breasts became so infected, my nipples were literally hanging by skin. I couldn't even wear a shirt. There was no more milk coming out, the infection was too deep. My son was pissed, he was hungry! My doctor, of whom is a breastfeeding fanatic, told me I had to stop, my son was losing weight. I dreaded going to formula. I had no choice. After doing tons of research, I realized it is not a terrible thing. Then after seeing my son thrive from 3-12 months, it was amazing and a friggen blessing.



I will never ever again be so naive to think it will never happen to me. I love breastfeeding. I love the feeling I get when I feed my babies. However, I felt just as close with my boy while giving him a bottle. I do not expect anyone that has never been there to get that. I do expect them to realize, they have no clue until they have been there.



Never say it will never happen to you....ever.

Kaci - posted on 04/10/2012

Btw, I didn't mean to write that my son was the only one that has never been sick. I meant to say my son was only sick once 2 years ago. My daughter has never been sick and she's 9 months old.

Kaci - posted on 04/10/2012

Shawnn, you shared my heartache. I tried to breastfeed with both of my children. I have a hormonal imbalance and that caused me to make an insufficient milk supply. But still, I had other women walk up, stand on their soapbox and preach to me about the benefits of breastfeeding and how formula was poison when they never even knew what I had gone through to try. And, OH did I try! It seemed like it was going to work with my daughter, but I would feed her for 45 mins and 20 minutes later she was screaming her head off for more. I would repeat this process ALL DAY AND NIGHT. I started hallucinating from lack of sleep lol. I hand expressed and was barely getting anything. Both kids, I was getting a decent milk supply in the beginning, exclusively breastfeeding, good latch, saw lactation consultants, yadda yadda, and still, my milk just diminished with no rhyme or reason. Just gone. And they never seemed full. I looked into buying breast milk from banks and it would have cost, at the cheapest $800/month! I had one friend I would have felt comfortable feeding my baby by starting her milk supply back up, but she was on medication and couldn't do it for me. So I had no other choice. Both of my kids are extremely healthy, happy and my son is the only one that has ever been sick, and that was 2 years ago. My son is also very smart. I'm just glad I had the alternative available. I can't imagine a time before when you would have to find a wet nurse or your baby would succumb to failure to thrive.

MeMe - Raises Her Hand (-_-) (Mommy Of A Toddler And Teen) - posted on 04/10/2012

Laura♥---Shawnn, what you do with your baby matters to me for a few reasons, national health in general is negatively affected by formula,, national finances are negatively affected by formula, national acceptance of breastfeeding is negatively affected by over use of formul, the next generation is affected by feeding choices as its common for breastfeeding to 'run' in families and the same with formula.



BULLSHIT! Prove to me where any of this is true and not just a figment of one's imagination.



I was NOT breastfed. I breastfed BOTH of my children, no one taught me how, no one supported me. I am VERY healthy. Always have been and I was NOT breastfed. I know many people that were fed formula because in the 70's, formula was BIG. What national finances are you talking about??





There's plenty of babies out there whose lives are benefitted by formula but many are not benefitted by formula as its wide spread use tends to include babies whose moms could have nursed but for some reason, myths, embarrassment, no support, bad drs, work, etc so there are babies out there who could have been breastfed but because formula has sort of taken over the country they were not.



So what if there are babies out there that could have been breastfed. Again, how and why is that anyone's business? How are they NOT benefiting from being fed? Just because it is not what YOU think they should be fed? That's crazy talk.



As I have said before. A great friend of mine has 4 children. They are ALL healthy. She did not breastfeed any of them. Why? She did NOT want to. So what. Her kids are 16, 13, 5 and 3. Her 16 year old has been on the honor role for 8 years!



Yes, breastmilk has many benefits but it does NOT depict whether your children will definitely be healthy. If you live a fast food diet, I am sorry but they are not going to be healthy, regardless of what they were fed as babies. If you do not have a sleep routine for them and they sleep whenever and do not get enough, they are NOT going to be healthy, regardless of what they were fed when they were babies. If you smoke in your house, they are going to have health issues regardless of what they were fed as babies.



There are so many more factors into raising a healthy baby. You can do this with breastmilk or formula. It is simply nobody's business.



It is one thing to promote breastfeeding, it is another to push it and say it is the only way to create a healthy baby. Simply because it is not.



I am completely pro-breastfeeding for myself. I would also help anyone that asked understand the importance. I am just not going to make generalized statements that it is the best for everyone or at a National level. It is a singular decision. I would never condemn anyone for choosing formula, even if it was just because they wanted to feed their baby it.

Janice - posted on 04/10/2012

We typed at the same time.



I did have a later post in which I said I understood. Page 13 10th post.

Janice - posted on 04/10/2012

Oh and no I guess it doesn't matter which one a mother feeds their baby. It is just my OPINION that if your body makes enough milk, your baby latches on, and you're with you baby majority of the time then it is silly to pay for formula. I am not dumb, I understand that mothers work, some babies cant latch, and some mothers don't make milk, and that there are a plethora of other reasons why some women do not breastfeed.

Shawnn - posted on 04/10/2012

Ok, Janice, but she explained her reason for switching at that time. So...I guess, that's what I don't understand? Why you are still "curious" as to the reasoning? She wanted to do it. Its her body, and her baby, and, ultimately her pocketbook.



as far as bolding...I wonder if I can somehow forward the PM I got from karla...LOL...because I finally asked someone who had a great talent for it. I'll see what I can do...it's a bit strange the first couple of times.

Shawnn - posted on 04/10/2012

Yet again, absolutely no acknowledgement that there are times, medically, that it is not a choice.



And again, Laura, condescending statements such as the second sentence of your second paragraph do not increase the numbers of women wanting to nurse, but not having support. That statement just scares more of them away.



Perhaps, if those of you who exclusively breastfeed, could "walk in our shoes" so to speak, you'd understand. I'd also like to point out that you ladies are very fortunate. You get an experience with your kids that those of us who medically are unable to feed will never experience. But never say never when it comes to your body, because it could fail you for your next baby, and you'd be where I am, and you would feel absolutely horrible. You, probably doubly so, because you HAVE experienced the other side...



I would wish that on no woman, but it happens. Ladies can nurse one baby but for some reason are unable to nurse the 2nd...ladies can't nurse the first, but are able to the second, ladies that nurse 4 or 5 till age 2, and with the 6th are unable to produce...



But, please. STOP telling me "Breast is best, and formula is poison", "breast babies are healthier, happier, etc than formula", and the rest of the phrases that are so often repeated.



Yes, we all agree that formula is not necessarily ideal. HOWEVER, as another poster pointed out: Breast may be best, but if momma is medically unable, then perhaps breast isn't always best.



And if women feeding formula is going to bring down the country economically, I'm gonna have to see some hard statistics on that one...Oh my. that's the best giggle I've gotten all week

Janice - posted on 04/10/2012

Actually, Shawn my post clearly stated that I understand its not a choice for everyone. Please actually read my posts before attacking me. Here I have copy and pasted it for you:



“I'm not judging anyone as bad. I just really have never understood why some women choose to pay a boat load of money for infant food that their body makes for free unless they have too. It does not really "matter" in that your right, it doesn't affect me, I'm just honestly curious. And as my previous post said I totally understand that it is not an option for some women.”



I really wish I knew how to bold face the typing on here - but please note the part of the statement that says "unless they have to" and "I totally understand its not an option for some women."

I thought someone had said their friends switched to formula at 10 months, just because they thought breastfeeding older babies was weird. I originally said I couldn't understanding switching before 12 months just because it is weird. I have posted about 4 times in this thread that I totally understand that some women must use formula.