Is anyone continuing to breastfeed their 16 month old?

Alissa - posted on 10/13/2009

I still nurse my daughter (17 months) after I get home from work and at bed time. She won't drink milk, just water during the day. I'd like to wean her in the next couple months, any ideas how to do it? I nurse her to sleep, I think she'll get po'd at me if I deny her the boob :(

Cheryl - posted on 09/29/2009

Yep. we are still breastfeeding. I know several friends who have had difficulty breastfeeding for various reasons but it's been shown to be the best for your children so we committed to do it as long as the child wants to. Our first weaned herself at 11 months because I was preg with our 2nd. The 2nd went until about 14 months and the last two or so were just at bedtime. But now our almost 17mo old still nurses about 5 or 6 times a day and has no interest in stopping!!! If she's being fussy or upset, all I have to do is ask if she wants "Momma's milk" and she comes running, grinning!! I'm blessed to be able to stay home so it's not a problem but there was just a post recently about a mom here who pumps at work and has kept it up for 16mo.!! She gets my applause!!

Marney - posted on 10/19/2009

Hi! I am still nursing my son and he'll be 17 months tomorrow. We love our nursing relationship, and I was struggling with whether or not to wean so that I could get pregnant again. It took almost two years to get pregnant with him and I had to take clomid several times. So...I had decided that we would start cutting back on nursing soon and....what do you know! I just found out that I am pregnant! Yay! Now that the pressure's off, I'm going to let him decide!

Jessica - posted on 10/05/2009

My daughter is still breastfeeding. Although I have tried several times to stop. Its starting to feel like a chore more than a bonding experience.

Jayda - posted on 10/25/2009

Yes, I still breastfeed my daughter she will be 18 mos and I want to continue as long as she wants too. I feel breastfeeding is much needed during this flu pandemic not to mention all the benefits.

Christine - posted on 10/19/2009

Hi. My name is Christine and I am still nursing my just-turned-17-month-old but he mostly only nurses at night, before bed or first thing in the morning. Generally he is just too busy to be bothered during the day but he will occasionally ask to nurse if he is tired. He is my fifth. I breastfed #1 for 14 months, #2 & #3 for 16 months and #4 for 2 years. I would have breastfed the first 3 longer but I was pregnant for the next one each time and my breasts were so sensitive. I regret weaning the first one when I did since he was such a difficult baby to soothe. I adore breastfeeding.

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My son weaned himself when he was 14 months, I wish he would have gone longer. I'm pregnant now and I was hoping to tandem nurse but he would have none of it! I'm so happy to see so many still nursing! you go mommas!!

Barbara - posted on 10/18/2009

We're still nursing at 17 months and he'll drink milk when he is with his Dad or nanny but when he is with me, he wants to breastfeed. He really likes it for the comfort of reconnecting at the end of the day and at night when he wakes up, it works well for both of us.

Michelle - posted on 10/13/2009

I am still breastfeeding my baby boy Bryan and he is goin to be 17 months on the 20th of this month I do try to cut out on a feed during the day at times but fined he still needs it when he is going to sleep and when he first wakes up. I dont think he is ready to be weaned because he is very demanding at times but he has gone a whole day without booby sometimes but I try to give him the S26 Toddler milk during the day to replace what he doesnt get from me and I know he loves it and its great for mixing a bit of quick or milo with it. But I feel if you are happy to keep on feeding them then do it because Im not goin to stop yet just because some people think I should. Bryan still wakes anything up to 5 times a nite but that is on a bad nite, on a good nite he can wake 2-3 times and he likes his booby about 2-3 times during the day if I let him sometimes more but I know one day it will all be over and when it is then so be it but until then we are still going to do as we do and breastfeed for a while yet. So ladies I think great work to you all because I know we are doing what if good and best for our babies.

Paulette - posted on 10/12/2009

We are also still nursing during the day and 3-4 x a day. Jahmeer seems to not have a problem and not ready to wean...he so enjoys his feedings and get very upset when I take too long...esp.at night if I have to go before feeding him..he has a fit..poor thing. We are fine with it, but Grandma cant wait for it to be over..I think she wants more time with him..plus she also dont understand the value..even after explainig numerous times..I've given up explaining...anyway we are going strong...through the early teething, scratching my skin off as comfort, kicking me with foot in face, and pinching me, or trying to dig under my arm, and the bitting..ouch!...but I'm still standing..lol..it's all about what's best for my beautiful baby. Keep up the good work ladies and those that nursing has come to an end...congrates to your nursing time..you all rock!

PS..my son will not drink milk..I give water and no juice.

Jessica - posted on 10/11/2009

Quoting Paula:

Quoting Jessa:

My daughter is still breastfeeding. Although I have tried several times to stop. Its starting to feel like a chore more than a bonding experience.

I feel the exact same way about my son. He won't drink his milk. He'll put his drink up of try to spill it out and point and cry "boob".

oh my Daughter still drinks her cows milk and water and juice and that kinda stuff. and she still wants to nurse like 6 times a day. and wakes up 3-4 times a night.

User - posted on 10/10/2009

We're still going strong at 17 months. I pumped until he was 13 months, and I knew he was OK with cow's milk at daycare. He nurses in the morning and at bedtime right now, which is working fine. I was not too surprised to find that he will still nurse in the middle of the day, (which he hasn't done since June) - he showed me that at the Breastfeeding challenge last weekend - no trouble latching at 11:00 a.m. - even got annoyed when I took too long to shift him to the the other side!

Danielle - posted on 10/09/2009

My baby just turned 17 months and i'm still breastfeeding! it's the best experience i've ever had! it's made us really close and he doesn't wanna be anywhere without his mommy :) I really hope others enjoy it becuase it really doesn't last long and time goes by so fast!!!

Paula - posted on 10/08/2009

Quoting Jessa:

My daughter is still breastfeeding. Although I have tried several times to stop. Its starting to feel like a chore more than a bonding experience.

I feel the exact same way about my son. He won't drink his milk. He'll put his drink up of try to spill it out and point and cry "boob".

Laura - posted on 10/06/2009

Wow it makes me feel so much better to know that I'm not the only one with mixed emotions over the continued breastfeeding. When he is only nursing a couple of time per day and maybe once during the night, I still enjoy it but when he is teething, he goes back to that near constant nursing. I can't get anything done during the day and we are up a few times each night and then I'm so ready to be done.

Cheryl - posted on 10/06/2009

i know what you mean Jessa, I was ready a few months ago to stop, both my first two were done about 1 year. but like i said, it's only once in awhile during the day and mostly at night. To get your son to sleep better at night, Bronwyn, try filling him with some toast or crackers before you nurse. They say a fuller tummy equals longer sleep. We're going to be doing more of that too since my husband and I are leaving for four days in one month. I have one month to wean her completely or Grandma's gonna have a rough time!!!

Katie - posted on 10/05/2009

I'm still breastfeeding too, and thank God I am: My son's been ill for the last three weeks and has been really off his food and water - without breastfeeding he'd be dehydrated and wasting away! I'll keep going until he's ready to stop naturally, which doesn't look to be any time soon!

If you are interested in joining a really supportive breastfeeding community on Circle of Moms, click on the link below or search for Breastfeeding Is Love.

http://apps.facebook.com/circleofmoms/gr...

Bronwyn - posted on 10/05/2009

Hi, I to joined today and still breast feed my son James. Can be a bit painful at times because he has a nibble once in a while but it our special bonding time. The only problem I have is have is he wakes at between 10.30 and 11pm and nothing settles him but numnum, then again about 3ish. Can anyone help with advice to get him to sleep through the night?

Laura - posted on 10/04/2009

My little guy also is still breastfeeding. In the past 4 months, there have been a few weeks when I thought he was weaning himself but then he will suddenly start nursing more often again.

Cheryl - posted on 10/02/2009

I always tell people the world average is 2 years. Fortunately up here in rural farm country, it's pretty common. I only nurse once or twice during the day... sometimes none until evening time. It's mostly bedtime, once during the night and morning that she fills up. I agree, I can tell she loves that close time with me, especially since she's our third alive and we homeschool. This is her special time with mom and she's not giving it up

Mary - posted on 10/02/2009

My daughter is still breastfeeding at 16 months. I enjoy her cuddles and its a great comfort to her when she's tired and upset. Its been a wonderful experience. Usually my daughter nurses in the morning and evening. When I took some work trips away for periods of days this summer, I pumped a couple times a day. It was manageable, though still not fun! Has anyone encountered negativity about nursing a 16 month old? No one outright criticizes me, but I get some questions. I am starting to have to explain more to people who ask about it - "many people do it", "its normal to nurse toddlers" , "they still need the closeness and security", etc. etc.

Cheryl - posted on 09/30/2009

It was Antonette Ong is the conversation thread of "Exclusive Breastfeeding my baby for 1 1/2 year even with work and complications" Way to go Antonette!!

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Hi Cheryl!  Thanks for sharing, I will have to look for that post from the woman who is still pumping at 16 months.  I stopped a few months ago and have not met anyone who pumped for that long.  I have been curious about the lengths of time women continure to pump but have not heard alot about it.  Most of the members of my La Leache League group are stay at home moms. My little guy still nurses about 3-4 times a day.  Mostly in the evening and at night. I can't imagine doing it any other way : )

Melody - posted on 09/29/2009

Still going here as well. We decided to let our son self wean, but get some flack from family for it. It's a special time and we both enjoy it and my husband supports me on this decision.

Erica - posted on 09/29/2009

Breastfeeding was something that was very important to me before my daughter was born. I was determined to make it work and was thrilled when she latched no problem from day one. She was in daycare starting at 4 months old but i was there with her so i could continue to nurse. I nursed exclusively for the first 12 months but towards the end she was more interested in playing with her friends and did not do much nursing but i tried. On her first birthday i gave her whole milk and from that point on she was done nursing during the day however we continued at night and in the morning, i decided i would let her wean herself, more for my own reasons then her really needing it. Unfortunately for me she was done by 13 and a half months. I loved nursing and was sad that she gave it up so quickly but i am thrilled that i followed through with it... I know that the benefit of it will be life long for her!!!