How long did you breastfeed?

Danielle - posted on 02/18/2011

6 months.

Valerie - posted on 02/17/2011

I breastfed a week after my son was born before I used my electrical pump. Then i did both for elevan months though i went back to work after 4 months. It helped me to attend a nursing mothers support group at the hospital i gave birth. Mothers discussing issues relative to nursing or pumping allowed the lactation nurse to address individual concerns and share with the group. She said stop drinking plenty of water will aid in reduction of lactation and she was correct. Once my son realize he was not full from the breast he turned more towards the bottle breast milk and then whole milk! Everything was smooth sailing as far as the nursing and weaning! Ask herself is your baby ready for weaning? This will determine if weaning will or will not be a challenge. Sleeping through the night on the otherhand was my dilemma!!! :-)

Kae - posted on 02/17/2011

I breastfed my daughter until she wanted to stop which happened to be a little over a year. One day she just didn't want to anymore...We happened to move around that time, so I don't know if that had anything to do with it?

Joanna - posted on 02/17/2011

My son was breast fed exclusively until he was 6m, then it went gradually down to 1-2 times a day until he was 20months. I would have continued, but was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism so had to start medication which was incompatible. It took me over 3 months to dry up completely, and my son still asks for it!

Olga - posted on 02/16/2011

Similar to Sylvia and Rebecca. I was lucky that we have 12-month mat.leave in Canada, so by the time I returned to work, I didn't need to pump, they were on regular milk. They both never tried bottle or formula. I had them 1 year 8 month apart, and I tandem-breastfeeded them (and B/f'd through my 2nd pregnancy). My youngest was almost exclusively on BM until 11 month, he refused to eat enything else until then. But maybe he had good reason - he is more sensitive to some foods (like shrimps), so he probably needed to start solid later.
My older son weaned himself at around 4 y.o., and my younger at close to 5 (and I had to be persistent with him). But the last year or so they did it only 1-2 times a day, so it never bothered me (but of course everyone is different, I don't mean all should be like me of course). I didn't have problems with milk supply except for the first 2-3 weeks after each birth.
Good luck to you Julia on whatever works best for both of you.

Barda - posted on 02/16/2011

Okay, here goes... I stopped nursing my first child when he was 9 months old, because he bit me. I was in my early 20's. When I was 28, my oldest daughter was 1year old and she stopped nursing. She wasn't interested and more. My next child nursed past a year and kept nursing until I was about 6 months pregnant with his brother. Same thing again, nursed until I was 6 months pregnant with another brother. Both of those times was because my nipples hurt like crazy. The 3rd brother nursed not quite as long as his older brothers, because I was pregnant with our last child and everytime we nursed, I bled, so Dave was the first person to really know I was pregnant. I told him we had to not nurse, because everytime we do I bled and that I had a baby growing inside me. He goes "okay, I'll wait'... When his little sister showed up, I said Dave you can nursy again and he said nursings for babies, lol! His sister nursed the longest. when she was 4, her older siblings asked her when she was going to stop nursing. She said when she was 5 she would quit. So on her 5th birthday, they said okay, you're 5, you said you would stop nursing. She smiled and said, yes, but I'm 5 for a whole year. The day she turned 6, she stopped!

Aren't you glad you asked? ;-)

Jen - posted on 02/16/2011

I went back to work when my daughter was 6 weeks old. It was hard, but I was able to pump (and was lucky enough to be close and could visit) so that she was strictly on breast milk. Pumping IS exhausting, though. We started solids at six months, and then cows milk at 9 months old. This helped immensly in the weaning process and I cut feedings down to just 2-3 per day by the time she was about 10 1/2 months old. She just turned one and we had a successful year of breastfeeding. Once her top chompers came in it got more uncomfortable to feed her, and then she sort of weaned herself about a week before her first birthday. It was great timing for both of us and she's a very happy, healthy one year old!

Mila - posted on 02/16/2011

I went back to work when my daughter was only 6 weeks, pumped at work the whole time til she was 9 months old, but was planning to do it for a whole year. Only reason I stopped was because I got pregnant again and the milk stopped. I would do it for as long as possible, remember its not about you or convenience, its about the baby and whats right for her. As a side note, I work really long days, 12 hours shifts, health professional so it was not convenient at all for me to keep pumping but I found a way and kept at it.

Connie - posted on 02/16/2011

My first daughter I weaned her at 7 months and completely on cows milk by 9 months old, due to work. My second daughter, she is almost 7 1/2 months and I pump bottles and the sitter uses formula, and I breastfeed when I am home. Pediatrics Society of Canada says you should (have) to feed your baby breast milk or formula until they are 1 year old. Then start switching to cows milk (3%). I love breastfeeding, but am looking forward to not pumping anymore.

Leyla - posted on 02/16/2011

Hi all
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Colleen - posted on 02/15/2011

I have four children and breastfed all of them until they were ready to wean themselves. Each was different, my oldest was 9 months, the next made it to 11 months, the longest was my third who made it to 18 months and finally my youngest who was just over a year old. None of them ever had formula and I am very proud to say that they are extremely healthy kids! It was difficult when I went back to work as pumping is very time consuming. I was lucky enough to get home to my children during my lunch hours to feed so I was only pumping 2-3 bottles a day.
Every child is different and so is every Mom. Just enjoy the experience for as long as you are able.

Danielle - posted on 02/15/2011

Julie, I also went back to work ft when my son was 2 months. I breastfeed him & pumped 2 twice a day at work. From the time he was 2 months, he had both formula and breast milk and I stopped breastfeeding/pumping when he was 7 months old, but I still had some frozen, so he was able to still have breast milk until he was almost 9 months. Don't feel guilty. It's tough, especially when you have to work. Any amount of breast milk is better than non. So be happy you've done it as long as you have.

Annette - posted on 02/15/2011

I breastfeed for 3 months. Then when I return to work, I pump until my son was one year old. Yes, it was very demanding of your time. I would pump during my breaks and lunch hour. But it was worth it, knowing mommy's milk is the best milk for our babies. He was a well baby while he was on breast milk. But, once my son was off the breast milk, his immune system seem weaker. He would easy get sick. After numerous ear infections between 13 months old until he turned 2 years old, he had to have ear tubes and adnoidectemy surgery. Weeks after the surgery, we found out he had allergies. But, now at age 8 years old, he's outgrown most of them. Praise the Lord!! :) If the Lord blesses me with another baby, I will try to breast feed (and express the breastmilk) as long as I can.

Carol - posted on 02/15/2011

I breasfeed my children for 2 1/2 years. I still had milk 6 months after my last one had stopped breasfeeding. I express basically. I had so much milk that I self express it and was successful that way.

Christie - posted on 02/15/2011

My first child I breastfed for 9 months and he went straight to a sippy cup no problems for either of us, 2nd was 3 weeks cause I was not producing enough to satisfy him so that was really easy to wean and 3rd was 3 months and she had to go onto a formula because I was having trouble filling her up too. So I didn't have any bad experiences other than losing that contact so early.

Jackie - posted on 02/15/2011

I went back to work when my eldest was 3 months old and tried to express at work, unfrotunately no area was private enough to express and I had to wait until I got home each day. I breat fed her until she was 4 1/2 months old before it became too difficult and I ended up with mastytist because of infrequent express (sorry for spelling). With my second child I had the benefit of not going back to work until she was 6 months old and again lasted about 6 weeks before I ended up with Mastytist again. Moral of my story...find somewhere suitable at work to express otherwise consider whether it is the best step and be aware of symptoms of Mastytist...which in my case was just like the flu.

Megan - posted on 02/14/2011

With my son, I went back to work when he was almost 6 months old. He was always partially formula feed, so reduced his breastfeeds to morning and bedtime. After about a month my body couldn't handle it and he was completely formula. For our wee girl I was back at work at 5 1/2 months and from 4 months old tried to get her to do the same, knowing I was going back to work soon. She didn't want me at all - weaned herself within a couple of days.

ANTOINETTE - posted on 02/14/2011

Hi! With my first I could not get him to latch so I pumped every 4 hrs for 9 1/2 months and now with my second he is almost 10 months and nursing from time I get off until he goes to daycare in the morning. He does well with formula and solids during the day. As a nurse I know the benefits of prolonged nursing. So that along with the bonding is whiy i continue. It's totally your choice and you nursed during the most important times already

Delrina - posted on 02/14/2011

I was lucky to breast feed for the entire 1st yr of both my sons lifes. My 2nd son drank more milk than i can produce so i gave him half breast and half can. With my 1st son I made the mistake of only giving him breast instead of pumping it in a bottle so he always had to be with me he rejected the bottles even with the breast milk in it

Lisa - posted on 02/14/2011

I nursed for 17 months, 20 months, and still nursing at 6 months. I had to go back to work at 8-9 weeks postpartum with all of them and pumped at work for a year. I only weaned #2 because I was pregnant with #3 and nursing was making my skin crawl (sorry, honey!). I see no reason why I won't be able to nurse #3 until he's at least 2 (no more babies planned!).

Maggie - posted on 02/14/2011

you can cut back on the breastmilk once she's eating solids. I did three times a day for a while, then only at waking and bedtime for a long time. I breastfed my boys until 13 months and 10 months (#2 weaned himself).
You aren't giving up - you really did well to do it for 6 months. Pumping is hard and time consuming and uncomfortable. You did what was best for your baby! GREAT JOB!
Be careful which formula you decide to use. Most of them have huge amounts of high fructose corn syrup and/or sugar.

Diana - posted on 02/13/2011

i nursed my son for two months because i have to go back to my work. i planned to mixed with formula but when my son tasted the formula milk he does not like to be nurse already..

Tara Jane - posted on 02/13/2011

My Jayden is 7-1/2 months now and I'm still breastfeeding. No plans to stop anytime soon. My goal is to continue until he is 12 months and I will try continue until he is 24 months and then that's it. My reason is that he doesn't want to drink bottle from anybody including me. I exhausted all efforts of training him "by the book" suggestions but he's just so stubborn. So finally I gave up when he stayed in the hospital for 3 days due to dehydration. He's so stubborn that I don't know what else to do to make him drink milk from bottle. He was exclusively breastfed until I started working again 1 month ago. During daytime he would eat his homemade baby food - blendered congee (mix and match of rice, pumpkin, spinach, eggyoke, potato, chicken breast and cauliflower). He likes this very much. But during the night time he would make up by breastfeeding every 3 hours starting from the time I pick him up from his grandma's house until the next day on the way to his grandma's house. During day time, I pump 2x to keep my supply up. It's not easy but I do it because I want to due to the benefits my baby gets. It's a woman's (or for others the baby's choice) when to stop breastfeeding.

Alexandra - posted on 02/13/2011

Katie was about six months old when I stopped breastfeeding at night, because she started refusing to eat, but I had enough pumped to supply her for a few more months after that, so I added the breast milk to her rice cereal when she started eating solid foods, and she still got a bottle of it at night for a month or so, until she weaned herself. (I cried almost every day that week, but I'm glad she weaned herself, because I'm not sure I could have done it for her.)

Lauren - posted on 02/13/2011

I BF for 9 months to the day...my son had a mouth full of teeth early and I just couldn't deal with the biting... lol. I too got tired of all the pumping at work, Im a nurse an it wouldnt be anything to go 8-10 hours before I could pump OUCH!!!! It was bitter sweet to stop. Keep up the good work 5 1/2 months is great :)

Tesynia - posted on 02/13/2011

With my first two children less that 6 months. With my youngest nearly 2 years.

Tessa - posted on 02/13/2011

Until my son was 19 in a half months! Very long... He is three now and still try's to put his hand in my shirt. Does not want to nurse, just finds my boobs to be security I guess. I am struggling with that milestone now! Very frustrating..

Scarlett - posted on 02/13/2011

I breastfed my daughter till she was 13 months old (she is now 20 and expecting her first child. She will breastfeed also). I breastfed my son till he was 1½ years old. Neither one of them ever took formula. It was hard. I worked full time for both of them. There was a lot of pumping involved. I wouldn't change a thing!!

Erin - posted on 02/13/2011

I breastfed for the first 2 years, but I was at a place where I didn't work everyday even though I did work full time, and they were very understanding about pumping. When I did wean my daughter she did great, we had no problems. She was really ready to just eat food.

You have done a great job and more than most moms do by breastfeeding this long. Don't feel guilty about stopping! There is a right time for everyone and that varies with each person and the situation. She will do just fine on formula and she had already gotten so much from you breastfeeding this long.

Alana - posted on 02/13/2011

Don't feel guilty. Do what is right for you. Due to complications I could not breast feed at all. I was made to feel guilty as todays society made me feel like a failure. But you have given our daughter a great chance.

Clare - posted on 02/13/2011

I also was breastfeeding and returned to work when my son was 4 months. I was able to keep up with pumping until he was about 6 or 61/2 months. I probably could have kept going but he started to ween himself because he preferred the bottle. Your daughter will still benefit from 6 months of breastfeeding. Remember you are not giving up! Pumping can be stressful! Do what is best for you and your little girl:o)

Rochelle - posted on 02/13/2011

I did for 4 months.. then I enrolled my son in a daycare full time. Kudos to you for expressing milk as I hated it so much I didn't do it..

Linda - posted on 02/12/2011

I breastfed till Christopher was 3yo. We stopped because he said that I started to taste "funny". That was why we stopped breastfeeding.

Nora - posted on 02/12/2011

I kept up with my son until he was 1 year but it was extremely hard. His daycare was actually in the same building as my office so I was able to nurse a couple times a day and only had to pump once a day. I probably would have stopped much sooner had he not been downstairs.

Kat - posted on 02/12/2011

I breast fead my son until he was 8months I also went back to work when he was 2months and had to pump, it was hard to stop but o was.so worn out! Happy well rested mommy is a good thing! Do not feel bad about stoping!

Tania - posted on 02/10/2011

Do not let the guilt get you. Only you know what is best for you and your little one.

Linda - posted on 02/10/2011

Congratulations on making as far as you have. I stopped breast feeding at 4 months. I was already giving my daughter formula every other bottle cause I couldn't take enough time to pump every day so she was already used to it and it made the transition easier. I had to pretty much wean my self as well as weaning her. If I tried to just stop pumping it hurt alot cause my body was still making the same amount of milk, I had to go from pumping three times a day to two then eventually one. Even when I finally stopped altogether my breasts still got tender and a little leaky during the night. Just take it slow and listen to your body, good luck

Tiffany - posted on 02/10/2011

I breatfed my daughter until she was 9 months. The only reason I stopped was because she got teeth and I thought she would bite me. I wished I had finished the last 3 months until she was a year old. It wasn't a hard transition for her, She never drank formula while I was breastfeeding and she was already drinking from a cup.She didn't like formula too well so she didn't drink very much. Dr said it was ok to give her whole milk.

Salome - posted on 02/10/2011

I am still breastfeeding, planning to wean her when she turns one, but i am not very sure if i will be successful beacuse she just love to feed, and can you help any tips on how to wean her, i just dont have any idea, she is much of the breastmilk than any other food, she cant eat baby food, tried to blend am failing may be i dont do it well, so any tips please!

Fikile - posted on 02/10/2011

i can understand how you felt when you went back to work and leaving your child behind. it is very hard for any mom.
When it comes to breast feeding. my opinion is that for me the longer you take to stop breastfeeding the better for your baby. You are protecting him or her against the illnesses that can attack them. I am still breastfeeding and my child is 20 months and 1 week, and i take him to work with me everyday. I think it is up to an individual, no one can make the decision for you on when to stop breastfeeding. Good luck and take care of your baby.

Nermin - posted on 02/10/2011

Dear Julie,

Nice to let me give you my opinion. I was breast feeding my child during his first 8 months then i stopped as i was having a severe fever and i should have been totally isolated from my child for 2 whole weeks and that was the easiest way to wean but I was feeling a deep sorrow during that period. Then I pumped my breast milk and then took a drug to dry the milk in my breast. The most important thing that my child was not suffering a lot of weaning.

My Best Regards, Nermin

Khanyi - posted on 02/09/2011

It took me about 7months. I think that was too short but I didn't have that much milk to go from the beginning. I did'nt breast feed my son for like 3 days when he was born because milk would'nt come out. I wish I had breadstfed much longer.

Jill - posted on 02/09/2011

I have been able to breastfeed my son for about 4 years, slowly he decided he didn't want it as much anymore...but he had no interest in stopping sooner...I also live in Canada though and have been able to be at home with my son since he was born.

Avis - posted on 02/09/2011

Hi Julie,
All of my children breast-fed for different periods of time. My oldest was bottle fed because I was sick. My son, until he was 4, my second daughter until she was 4 mos., my third son was 3 yrs.old, and my last son until he was 18 mos. My sons seem to better than my girls. I loved the experience and since we have a history of asthma in our family, breast feeding help me not feed them food until later. Try your best not to feel guilty because you don't want your milk to dry up. I also used to have an occasional glass of red wine. My son taught me that you can also get pregnant while you breast feed. It's supply and demand, and my children let me know when they were ready to give it up. I would do it all again. - Avis

Lisa - posted on 02/09/2011

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Nancy - posted on 02/09/2011

I breastfed for 6 months before introducing any solids and weaning was a piece of cake for him. Not so much for me (I cheated for a few months).

Holly - posted on 02/09/2011

I nursed my son until he was 3 years old. I went back to work when he was about 4 months old so he had me full time up until then. I remember pumping in the bathroom stall at work for a little while. Hated it, but it was necessary. I moved him to a sippy cup asap as I didn't like pumping, probably done with pumping by the time he was a year. Once he was on a sippy cup during the day, I only nursed at night. It was our cuddle time together. I felt bad about giving up because I was never going to have that bonding time with him again... but it was time because he was 3 and I also wanted to have my body back to myself. I have 4 children and bottle fed my first two and my last two I breastfed.

Samantha - posted on 02/09/2011

I have had 3 children. All 3 were breastfed for different amount of times. My first nursed till he was 3 1/2 yrs old, 2nd weaned herself at 2 yrs and my 3rd weaned at 3 months. Granted I was not a working mom. I was a very busy mom involved in church, and other things. Breastfeeding is such a personal decision and a selfless decision. My 3 month old was not progressing and was miserable because I could not keep up with his demand and I felt worse when I put him on the bottle and he was a changed lil man. It was such a difficult but I was exhausted all the time and when he was sleeping he was crying and I had undianosised post pardum depression. Our 1st 3 months were miserable!!!! But the decision to wean was still difficult. The pressure to continue to breastfeed and the expection of us to BE SUPERMOM is so un-nerving. You have to make the decision that is best for your family and most of all your health as well as mental health. Not based on any other thing than what do YOU want. Your baby received the best that you could have ever given him/her. And the very important 1st 3 months. So relieve your mind and know that he/she will be just fine and quit being so hard on yourself. I am sure you are a wonderful mother and that will not change just because you choose to wean your baby, not to mention he will never remember it anyways LOL LOL LOL Take care of yourself and your family!!!

Peace, Love and rest,
Samantha

Kirsten - posted on 02/09/2011

Hi there,
I work nearly full time and I am still breast feeding my 20 month old daughter. Luckily I could stay at home with her til she was 8 months old. When she went into the nursery I was able to visit at lunchtime to give her a feed in the middle of the day. She adapted to three feeds easily. When she was about 15 months old I stopped going in at lunchtime and just gave her a morning and night feed. I have only had to pump a couple of times when I got a bit full and uncomfortable! I was determined to keep feeding her as her older sister was premature and I couldn't breastfeed her and I knew this would be my last child. It has been so worth it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Camille - posted on 02/09/2011

I was lucky. I had an understanding work situation. I BFed exclusively for DD's entire first year for both of my girls. I pumped up until each of their first birthdays. By their first birthdays both girls had pretty much lost interest in nursing, but I had frozen milk that I bottle fed them. My youngest still likes to nurse at night before bed (13 months old). It's a relaxation thing for both of us. I applaud all moms that attempt to BF. It is definitely a rewarding experience for both mom and child. The guilt thing is a killer though. I went for a full year and still felt guilty when I couldn't produce as much as I thought I should have. It's funny. Before I had kids, I was dead set against BFing. Now, I wouldn't do it any other way. Good Job Moms! I agree, Breasts are Amazing!