How long did you breastfeed??

Jerie - posted on 06/24/2010

The rule of thumb in US is a year but Europeans have been nursing for up to 5 years since forever. It's all in what you are comfortable with. My 1st nursed a year, 2nd 8 months, 3rd 4 months (colic and turns out autistic), 4th 9 months. Good luck!

Krystie - posted on 06/24/2010

@laura nelsen, i dont find it hard to wean my 2.5 yr old. i jsut told her no, your too big, its for the baby gave her a hug and sent her off to find a book.

she is almost 3, still askes occasionaly but gets told no, itsfor the baby and thats that. yeah we have had a few tanturms but i get that when i say no to a cookie, a book or when i say handy manny is not on at the mo, par for the course with a toddler.

Laura - posted on 06/24/2010

My 1st was only 4 months we did not enjoy it. My second child was 1 year and my third and final child I am still breastfeeding at 2 1/2 years old. It is so hard to wean him. My 2nd child was not hard at all he was old enough to drink milk so he went from breast to sippy cup with no problem. I don't know if it's the child or the age if it's the age I would say the 1st year of there life because it seems to only get harder to wean them!

Krystie - posted on 06/24/2010

what is best iswhat you want to do. my 1st got 12 week, my 2nd got 10 weeks, my 3rd got 15 months, my 4th got 2.5 years, 5 months of that tandem nursing with her baby sister, number 5, who is 10 months old and still going strong

Jennifer - posted on 06/24/2010

My 1st one only did for 2 1/2 months. Never seemed to get enough. My 2nd was for 14 long months she would not take a bottle AT ALL and my 3rd decided that the bottle was much easier around 7 months.

Rachel - posted on 06/24/2010

My plan for my baby is to nurse until she is ready to stop. God has given our little ones a knowledge of what they need, even more sometimes than we parents know. I've heard of babies who refuse to eat a certain food, and it's found out later that they have an allergy to it. So, for me, the best thing is to wait until she is ready to stop, and not force anything.

Kim - posted on 06/24/2010

Nurse as long as you can. My goal was for 6 months. I am going on 12 months now. My son never took the bottle or didn't like the taste of formula. I want to stop nursing but my son doesn't. Good luck!

Crystal - posted on 06/24/2010

I nursed my twins (my first babies) for 18 months and then my daughter for 18 months as well. Had to ween my sons to go back to work as I was a single mom at the time. My daughter weened herself. Loved every minute of it. It's challenging but You can do it! My kids have very good imune systems and high metabolisms. Remember to trust your body to do what it should. Don't get scared when they suck and nothing comes out, they're stimulating your supply. Trust your intuition as a mother. don't let other people's hang ups or fears deter you from doing what you know is best. :-)

Gema - posted on 06/24/2010

I stopped when she was 6 months, closer to 7 months. I just gave it all up because I need time for "me". It can get pretty exhausting and as it is a baby is "EXHAUSTING". I figured I gave her plenty and she had no problem with formula. She is 9 months and doing just fine. I think its how you feel and how your baby feels. How you think he will do? GOOD LUCK!!!!

Kris - posted on 06/24/2010

i breastfed my daughther 2years and my son is 6months and currently nursing

Kayse - posted on 06/24/2010

I nursed my first for 8 months, only exclusively until about 5 months, then we started supplimenting with formula at night and she started to self wean, I got pregnant with my second when my first was 4 months old so she started selfweaning. My youngest is 7 months and we're still breastfeeding, she has not had a bottle of formula yet, although in her first 2 months of life I had to pump, add a thickener and add a little bit (1.5 Tablespoons of formula per 170ml of breastmilk) of formula to keep the calories where they should be. Now we're still nursing on demand and offering solids 1-3x a day

Bekki - posted on 06/24/2010

I nursed for 18 months, she lost interest before I dried up. she weaned herself.

Jeanell - posted on 06/24/2010

I nursed my twins for 18 mos - until I got pregnant with my third. The third I nursed for 17 mos - she quit on her own.

Lindsay - posted on 06/24/2010

go for as long as you can! its healthier, AND cheaper! can't beat that! i breastfed my 1st for the 1st 6 weeks, then moved the day she turned 6 wks (my husband is in the military) so the stress of moving made me dry up. im having my 2nd baby in august, and i plan on breastfeeding for as long as i can!

Angela - posted on 06/24/2010

I nursed my son (now 8 1/2 yrs) until he was 14 months and my daughter (now 5 yrs) until she was 16 months. I would have gone longer had they wanted, but they weaned themselves.

Rachel - posted on 06/24/2010

My first child never latched on properly, despite asking for help several times from health visitors and midwives. We only lasted 2 1/2 weeks. With my second, he loved it and never let me go! But he was so hungry I had to start giving him a bit of formula to fill him up. We managed 3 months and then he stopped breasfeeding in public and I was giving more bottles, until it just dried up.

As long as you are happy and he is happy, carry on! I think a year is a nice time if you can get that far. I was going to aim for 6 months both times but it didn't happen. Just do it for as long as suits you.

Amber - posted on 06/24/2010

I nursed my first for 12 months, my second for 10 months and on my third, only one side worked for us, so only 4 months :0( The night time feeding, for most, is the hardest to give up. That cuddle time for both mom and baby is precious! :0)

Morgan - posted on 06/24/2010

My first, my daughter, I nursed for 9 months. I went back to work when she was 5 months old and found it hard to pump so I started supplimenting with formula 2x/day and breastfed otherwise. I got pregnant with my 2nd child 2 weeks after I stopped breastfeeding full time! My daughter stopped nursing on her own at 9 months. I knew I was going to start again soon, so I wasn't too upset. With my son, my second, I nursed solely for 7 months, I thought my milk supply went down...it did obviously because he was not gaining like he should have. So I stopped nursing because I had a hard time getting the milk supply back up. I was also tired from being pregnant and nursing non stop for 3 years! Our next one, due in November, I plan on nursing for as long as I can! I suggest you do it as long as you want and he wants. However long you do it is great!

Tara - posted on 06/24/2010

I breastfed my son for a year. He was a happy, healthy baby. I know of a woman who still breastfed her son when he was 5 years old (which I find disturbing) but had to quit when her daughter was born. It was easy to wean my son off of breast feeding at a year old because he took to a sippy cup at 5 months old. I also would like to give kuddos to women who breastfeed... IMO there are very few who do.

Amanda - posted on 06/24/2010

My son is 9 months and still nursing. I plan on nursing him at least until he's a year. That is how long most doctors in the U.S. say to.

Missi - posted on 06/24/2010

My first son lasted about 5 weeks w/ a combination of nursing, pumping, and formula. It was too wearing to keep up, so we switched to formula. My second son was a piece of cake, he latched on and didn't stop until about 14 months. Good luck. Do what is right for you and your baby, don't rely on everyone else's advice.

Kayleen - posted on 06/24/2010

my 1st baby was 18 1/2 months, till her sister was born. my 2nd was on and off for 6 wks, found out i was sick and had to have surgery, my 3rd, was bout 5 1/2 months. i had postpardem so bad that i had to go on meds, and he went to the bottle. the longer the better... but, boys seem to think they own mommies boobies after you done breastfeeding... at least mine still thinks he owns mine. just sit back and enjoy the time with them.

Ella - posted on 06/24/2010

As long as they will nurse!
For mil issues 1) attend LLL 2) have fenugreek and blessed thistle on hand to take (for milk) 3) keep this site at your finger tips http://kellymom.com/bf/index.html 4)surround yourself with breastfeeding mamas (especially extended breast-feeders). 5) no supplementation- your body will do a great job supplying what your baby needs.

Nicole - posted on 06/24/2010

First, congrats to anyone who breastfeeds for ANY length of time. It is a wonderful gift to be able to give your child. My oldest nursed until she was 2 years 9 months, my youngest is still going strong at 15 months. Neither has ever had an ear infection. My oldest has never had more than a cold, and my youngest was born with multiple birth defects that make him very susceptible to illnesses and he too has remained more healthy than anyone can explain.

The medical world is officially recommending a year at a minimum, but beyond is better.

Be very careful with supplemental feedings. Breasfeeding is supply and demand, and if you are feeding with a bottle without pumping for that feed, then your body won't make as much milk and may be unintentionally weaning your baby. Also, if you nurse & then bottle feed to supplement, baby may be getting more than they really want or need. You babies can't control the flow of a bottle like they can control when they are nursing. The best way it protect and improve your milk supply is to empty your breast more, whether it be through pumping or nursing. A breast full of milk won't produce more, but an "empty" one sends signals to the body that more is needed. Good luck!

Jacquelyn - posted on 06/24/2010

When I had supply issues or fears of supply issues or just wanted cookies - I made these! http://thenurturingcook.com/?p=472 Both of my sons had difficulty learning to latch. It took 10 weeks for the first and he self weaned at 17 months old. My second son took 7 weeks and he has his tongue tie clipped at 3 weeks. He is now 7 months old and still nursing. It has always been my goal for 2 years but will stick with the plan of "as long as it's mutual" for both parties.

Melanie - posted on 06/24/2010

Nursed both of mine for 12 months. Did not supplement with formula. In hind sight, I think the first one should have been supplemented b/c I struggled to keep him satisfied. 2nd one was a pro at it which made it much more pleasant for both of us.

Kerry - posted on 06/24/2010

My first child (my daughter) nursed until she was two, if you can believe that. At about 18-months-old, she started becoming a night nurser. A little bit after her second birthday, she decided she was done. I remember going a week without nursing and looking at my husband and saying, "I think she is finally done." Part of me was glad and the other part of me missed that bonding. My son nursed until he was 9 months old. He was really good about it. As soon as he started the bottle full time he did really well. He was my easy going fellow. Anything involving food made him happy, so he really did not care about the source:-). Now, I am not an expert, but I believe that you are his mother and the time is up to you and him. You certainly don't want to be sending him off to Kindergarten still nursing (although in some cultures, that is the norm). But, it truly depends on you and your child. And no two Peds are the same on this topic. I have had a female Ped for years and she was very supportive while I was nursing. She said that when they are babies and toddlers there is not a time limit. She feels that children and mothers know when it's time. Just enjoy the time you have with your littly guy in this bonding experience and don't put pressure on yourself to wean. You will know when it's time. Hope this helps!

Carol - posted on 06/24/2010

What ever makes you and your baby most comfortable is best! I breast fed my first child until 3 months, my second until 7 months and my third until she was almost 3 1/2. So i say leave it up to you and your baby!

Jennifer - posted on 06/24/2010

i nursed my son until he was 3. he weaned himself it was very natural no guilt on my part. afterwards i was a little sad. i missed nursing him and i knew my bond with him would never be the same. my 15 month old is still nursing. everyone and every child is differnt. noone should do what someone else is doing. every mommy and child have different feelings on the matter. do what is best for you and your child and never let anyone make you feel wrong for what you decide. only God can judge.

Peggy - posted on 06/24/2010

first one was until 5mo, my son only until he was 3mo. all he wanted to do was eat! i felt like he was attached all the time!! my third, boy was she a treat! she absolutely refused all bottles and all food except me! i was ready to quit at about 7-9 months, but she had other plans! she honestly would scream and cry for hours, refusing all other food, formula, or even breast milk. i ended up nursing until she was about 16mo and then she went straight to a sippy cup and table food! she never ate one bite of baby food! luckily i had a friend with a younger baby to pass on all of that baby food to!

it's all a personal preference. it got uncomfortable for me when she would come over and lift my shirt for food! lol i've heard of women nursing until they are 3-4 YEARS! to me that's just creepy. once they get so old but you would like to continue the benefits of breast milk, put it in a sippy cup.

just my 2 cents. :)

Andrea - posted on 06/24/2010

my LO is just over 6 mos and we are still breastfeeding. i plan to go at least a year. she has recently gotten two teeth and sometimes bites, but for the most part it hasn't been an issue, so i am looking forward to 6 more months!

Sara - posted on 06/24/2010

I am a mother of 3 and I am unable to breastfeed, so I do not have any experience in this area unfortunately. I would have loved to have breastfed, but it just wasn't an option. However, I have a large circle of mommy friends where I live and the vast majority breastfeed until the first birthday. Some longer, but the first birthday seems to be the common length of time around here.

Carri - posted on 06/24/2010

What is best is what feels right to you! Breastfeeding is a relationship between you & your baby, and you shouldn't really go by what others did, but by what works well for your family. I'm still nursing my 9 month old, but I am home with her all day & we both enjoy it; it works for us.

Leah - posted on 06/24/2010

13 months for both of my children. Worked out great and never had to spend any $ on expensive formula!

Stacey - posted on 06/24/2010

My kids have all self weaned around age 2. 6 months to a yr is recommended.

Keila - posted on 06/24/2010

For my first daughter I breastfeed for 7 month, but right now my son is 17 month old and I keep breastfeeding him. I think is best that you breastfeed at least for 7 month, but if you want keep breastfeeding you son It would be better. Thank to God and my milk, my son barely get seek, and if he get seek he get well really fast. Many doctors that doesn't support breastfeeding says that you can stop feeding him by 6 month, but if up to you. I recommend that if he keep demanding the breast keep giving to him the breast is the better think that you can give to him. Hope that this information is answer you question.

Misty - posted on 06/24/2010

My dd is 8 months and I plan on breastfeeding as long as I can because that is what is best for her. Also It's a ton cheaper than formla lol. Listen to your baby's cues he's the one who will know when he has had enough. I would say at least a year is what most mommies do. Good luck!

Julie - posted on 06/24/2010

My first nursed for one year, my second for 6 weeks then I pumped for a bit until my milk dried up, and my third for two and a half years. My second couldn't nurse because she had reflux really bad (no medicine back then) and her collar bone broke during delivery so it was difficult for her to be held in certain positions till it healed. Any amount of time is beneficial to the child but my youngest is my healthiest. The older two suffered with cold's and ear infections more often, while she is rarely sick. My bottle fed daughter had to have her tonsils out a few years ago. I say nurse as long as you possibly can. It's why our breasts were put there anyway! =)

Umeima - posted on 06/24/2010

I breasfed up until my daughter was 1yr old and that was only because I had to have brain surgery so basically I had no choice but I had it in my mind to feed her up until 1 since that was when she would be able to take normal milk and I didn't want to keep chopping and changing her milk formulae. However saying that I wished I stopped breastfeeding before I went in since my poor hubby had a right nightmare trying to ween her off the booby. I do think it is a subjective thing and mums ought to do what is right for them. I know from my own experience that when one has a baby that the boob police ( ie nurses ) encorage you to breatsfeed so by day 2 there were many mums who were in hospital in tears since they couldnt breastfeed due to being exhausted after birth or surgery and their babies were hungry or the babies were just not latching on. Therefore this led to many mums being distraught after a very hectic experience. I will say that I nearly gave up breastfeeding after 5 weeks due to exhaustion but the health visitor encouraged me to continue and so I did reluctantly BUT Im so glad I did because it got easier and I loved breastfeeding so much. I also found that compared to other babies my daughter NEVER got ill once, so it paid off in my eyes and I didnt have to deal with the worry of my child being ill and even more sleepless nights. The only downfall is that I can't get her out of my bed but the upside is that I get cuddles every night and I love it. In short, do what's right for you and with me it was the matter of convenience, giving her the best headstart and for some mums its what fits into your life style. Humm next time I'll maybe just breastfeed for 3-6 months. Good luck

Margarita - posted on 06/24/2010

Your milk dried up because it was not being used. You produce as much if not more milk than what your baby needs by stimulation. You'll produce that early, nutrient-rich milk called colostrum for approximately 2-5 days after delivery. The length of time you choose to breast feed is up to you as it is a very personal matter. I suggest you follow your instinct. I nursed my second child exactly one year. My first 3. From my experience, I felt a year was perfect. Again, the choice is yours and yours alone. Good luck

Anne-marie - posted on 06/24/2010

with my son (now 3yo) i feed him till he was 10 months had to stop beause of biting and severe seperation anxiety and my daughter (9 mo) i am still breastfeeding. although i have tried her on formula but she voits and get diahorrea so my GP thinks she mite be lactose intolerant so he has suggested to feed her till she 12 months... every mother and baby knows when the time is right to stop.... totally up to you...

Lisa - posted on 06/24/2010

My son weaned at 19 months when my milk dried up during my 2nd pregnancy. My daughter I weaned when she was 2.5 yo. My OB and grandmother both said they nursed until 3! Whatever you're comfortable with.

Deanna - posted on 06/24/2010

Still am! Stella just turned one on the 5th of June and she is loving it too, which is great because The World Health Organization (WHO) re ccomend breastfeeding for two years and beyond! Breastfeeding your toddler provides While many of us may not start out planning to breastfeed a toddler, one thing leads to another and we find ourselves doing it! But did you know that breastfeeding your toddler can provide him/her with:

31% of his/her daily energy needs,
38% of protein requirements,
45% of Vitamin A requirements, and
95% of Vitamin C needs, http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/t... Check this out for more great information, and keep up the great work! Research shows more and more evidence of the value of breastfeeding our children beyond 6 mos.. :)

Diana - posted on 06/24/2010

it's just what you feel is best for you and your baby. Our firstborn didn't get anything, she just choked in it and got undernourished (she survived by the way, and she is a fighter :D), our second got about a month or two, and just got into porridge big time, and our third was my cosy baby, and I did breastfeed her for almost 2 years I guess. We were travelling the year when she turned one, and the breastfeeding was the most hygenic (is it said that way in English?) and convenient way to feed her. She is the most healthy of the 3 now that we are about 4 years along.
In times past, mothers did breastfeed for about 2 years to keep the kids safe for getting sick, and for prevention not to get pregnant again too soon. Maybe that's a ultimate goal?
I have a friend who did breastfeed her son for about 4 years, with the last years just as a drink. I didn't think that was healthy, because he got very close to her in not letting her go anytime, and she got wicked thin. She almost tore herself apart. After that she couldn't get any children anymore. I don't know if that breastfeeding was a reason, I don't think, but it wore her out and made me careful.

Most important: was is best is dependend on you and your baby
take care and have fun, they grow up before you know it!

Heather - posted on 06/24/2010

As long as you both want to. I personally believe at least one year.

Sarah - posted on 06/24/2010

My first weaned herself off at 17months and my second is 15months and still breastfeeding (although i would like him to go onto cows milk soon).

Patricia - posted on 06/24/2010

Breast milk is best. I had 4 kids 1 died and all of them were breast feed, but they all stop early. My son that died he breast fed d longest 9 months. The other 3 stopped at 3 months. I enjoy breast feeding my kids even though they stop early.I think some woman don,t breast feed because they think their breast will hang.

Rachel - posted on 06/24/2010

Because of medical issues that my son (my first child) was having, I had to stop breastfeeding at 6 weeks. My daughter (my second child) was quite different. I weaned her at 16 1/2 months. I think whatever you are comfortable with and what works for you is going to be what is best! Good luck! :o)

Tracy - posted on 06/24/2010

I have 3 boys the 1st fed til he was two the 2nd was a few months after he turned 1 and the third is still feeding at 8 months.

Mukta - posted on 06/24/2010

I am still BF my 8 months old and I would like to go on till he is 1. WHO recommends min. of 6 months and you can go on till 2 years but after 1 year they can have normal milk :)