Nursing past age one?

Nicole Westrich - posted on 02/16/2012

My first I nursed until he was 11 months (I got a bad cold and the meds dried me up) but my second is 9 months now and I plan on nursing for as long as I can. She has excema real bad and my family has a history of allergies so any help I can give her I think is worth it. I figure we'd keep going until it becomes an issue. Plus, that time we have together does more than just nurish thier bodies. My first and I have a affectionate bond that I prize above all else. I hope to instill the same in my second. I understand your feelings of aloneness, all my friends either formula fed or had to give up early. So just know that you are in good company and not alone. You are a good mom for sticking to it.

Emily - posted on 02/19/2009

As toddlers start to wean, most mother's milk will change to a more colostrum like texture... it's basically becoming more concentrated to provide as much nutrients and immune factors as possible for a toddler who is only nursing a couple times a day. It's also often referred to as "weaning milk" because many toddlers decide they don't like the taste and it encourages them to wean on their own.

But that "weaning milk" doesn't usually show up until kids are only nursing 2-3 times a day, or if the mother is pregnant. Since I was still nursing my 13 month old when my 32 month old weaned, I never got the weaning milk... my baby was still getting tons of milk on her own. :)

Brooke - posted on 02/18/2009

I nursed my son until 16 months ( although, truthfully , sometimes he still cuddles up and wants a dry run). He's 21 mths. and I do miss it. My milk changed taste and color( looked like colostrum- no I'm not p/g either) and he lost alot of the interest in it. If I ever have another baby I think I would nurse even longer. Creates such a special bond..........

Julie - posted on 01/30/2009

Wow! Thanks everyone for the support and advice! It's nice to know that there are other mom's out there that are nursing past one year!

Patrycja - posted on 01/30/2009

I nursed my dauther for 18 months until she weaned herself.  (I worked full time so I even pumping during the day for most of it).  I would never imagine to stop or take it away from her before she was ready.  There is so much out there on the benefits for nursing toddlers  to 3, 4 years even.  You should definatly go for as long as you guys are both comfortable with.  I'm now nursing my son who is 8 months and I have a feeling he is going to be an avid nurser for a while.  Best for luck and happy nursing!

Candice - posted on 01/28/2009

My first daughter I nursed until she stopped on her own at 18 months. I was planning on breastfeeding until she was two ... but the milk changed taste while I was pregnant with #2 ... so she weaned herself. Now, #2 is 18 months and is still breastfeeding while I am pregnant with #3. I plan on breastfeeding her until she is two or a little bit past!

Charmaine - posted on 01/27/2009

I nursed our first daughter until she was around 14 months, when she pretty much self-weaned and my milk supply dried up because she was much more interested in solids. I pretty much only had to nurse her to sleep at that point. My son, on the other hand, weaned himself at around 10 months, and just was not interested in breastmilk anymore, except of course, to fall asleep :) The difficult part was he never took a bottle, whether filled with formula or juice, and absolutely hated the taste of formula even when I gave it to him in a cup. My 10 1/2 month old is still nursing now, some days every few hours, other days just when she's sleepy. I plan to stop when she wants to stop. She also eats table food and since I am nursing and lean towards healthier meals, I haven't had a problem with her eating off my plate and neither does our pedi. None of our kids have any allergies and I'm not sure if it can all be credited to breastfeeding, but it's what worked for us so why stop a good thing? Many of our friends and family think it's odd that I still nurse, and frankly I think they are more uncomfortable at the aspect of it than I am, but it's a choice that we all make and I feel I am doing what's right for my babies. My hubby doesn't have a problem with it either, even though he wasn't breastfed by his mother or encouraged (for me, I mean!) My mother breastfed me and my sister until we were about 18 months, and I got a second serving when my sister was born 27 months after me! I completely agree with the poster who said our society needs to rethink our position not only on extended breastfeeding, but breastfeeding, period! Do what you feel is right, and if you and your baby are happy, you must be doing what's right!

Rachael - posted on 01/27/2009

My daughter is almost 14 months and still nursing strong. My son nursed until he was a little over 20 months. Like the other posters I couldn't imagine taking away all that comfort and nutrition. Also, since we've decided she's our last, I want to hold on to this beautiful relationship as long as possible.

Brooke - posted on 01/27/2009

Hi! My daughter is 21 months is still nursing. She nurses in the morning and night for sure and if she hasn't seen me all day. She still nurses to sleep SHH! don't tell the dentist. I too love the nurturing aspect of it and the comforting part. I don't think she plans on stopping anytime soon.

Sheri - posted on 01/27/2009

I nursed my son until he was about 20 months. He would barely eat anything solid(which concerned me) but his pediatrician just said he was getting all he needed from the breastmilk. Others may think it's strange to nurse a toddler but it's healthy and our culture still isn't quite used to it. Hopefully that will change over time, as the generations who were sadly and relentlessly pushed toward formula are less of an influence.

Emily - posted on 01/27/2009

I just barely weaned my 32 month old and am still going strong with my 13 month old. We plan to nurse each of our current and future children until at least 2 year.

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

Sharon - posted on 01/27/2009

We're nursing as well.  I never would have imagined that breastfeeding would be so enjoyable.  I'm planning on letting Aiden nurse for as long as he wants.  We get some questions from my husband's parents regarding when we're going to wean, but nothing terribly negative.

Whenever someone mentions how weird it is for a toddler to be nursing, I ask them why it is accepted for a child to drink cow's milk, but not human milk.  Our society really needs to re-think our position on extended breastfeeding.    Human milk for human babies! 

Melissa - posted on 01/26/2009

My son is 18 months and is still nursing like a champ. Some days he wants to nurse every few hours, although I try to offer other food or distract him sometimes because it just gets to be too much! I had a similar experience as what you describe around his first birthday, but then I found a few friends (and this site) who nursed past one year. I decided it's good for him, he wants it, it is a great way to continue our bond, it really won't last forever, so oh well if others think it's strange. I've been careful to talk about it in a way that doesn't sound like I'm being critical of those who nursed less or weaned for no specific reason other than the arrival of the first birthday. There have been a few times when he's been sick, and I've been very thankful that he still nurses. My plan at this point is to nurse until he's ready to stop...or at least until he can fully understand why we're stopping and what we're doing to replace that special mommy time.

Dana - posted on 01/26/2009

I have a stubborn one like that too. She's smearing potato soup all over herself right now :) I've nursed both my babies to about 14 months and would have nursed a few months longer probably, but I've been pregnant again both times and had to stop when it just got too uncomfortable. Who cares what anybody else thinks about it? As long as she still likes it and you still like it I would go for it.

Julie - posted on 01/26/2009

We've been on solids for about 5 months now, on finger foods for about 3...She absolutely hated traditional baby food. Wouldn't really eat anything until I offered her finger foods...stubborn girl wants to feed herself. Now she eats pretty much everything, but still nurses like crazy.

Brenda - posted on 01/26/2009

Hi Julie!  My little one turned one at the end of Dec and I'm still nursing and he is just "making friends" w/ solids.  I would like to nurse him to about 18 months...give or take a month or two.