My son is turning2 & my husband wants me to stop breastfeeding.Studies say to go until age5 for health reasons

Question

Should I make him stop breastfeeding? I feel like I still want to and I don't lesson his immunity. This is my first child.

Answer 1

No, you *shouldn't* stop nursing. If you are happy with it, continue until *he* weans himself. *All* babies will wean when they are ready, you never have to do it for them.

You also *cannot* make a baby nurse until age 5, although some will choose to do so. But when a baby/toddler wants to wean, they will wean and there's little you can do to change it.

In any case, the World Health Organization recommends nursing for *at least* 2 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics has said that there's no reason a toddler can't nurse for longer than 2 years, as well.

Nursing does *not* hurt the baby's teeth. See sources section below; it was written by a dentist who is an expert on breastfeeding.

A baby doesn't "get all he can" from nursing in 2 weeks, 2 months, or 2 years. The milk doesn't suddenly turn to rat poison!! In fact, human milk is really stable in mineral and immunity content--the lower your milk supply, the higher the density of minerals and immunities so that the baby is getting the same amounts even though taking in less milk. If your baby were to be very ill, your milk could actually save his life. It is even used in *adults* who have cancer and other life-threatening conditions. It can in no way harm him and can definitely help!! (Even if his immune system is more mature than when he was hours or days old, yours is more mature still--and since you're nurisng, it's working in high gear to protect him even more than it would if you weren't nursing.)

I have, however, seen no actual studies that show that nursing until age 5 is best for any reason. Everything I have read indicates that the longer you nurse, the greater the benefits for the child (and the adult he grows up to be). Nursing for 2 weeks provides benefits to the child. Nursing 2 years increases these benefits. Nursing for 5 years would increase them further. And nursing until age 7 yet more.

Nobody should be telling you that you *have to* wean a child.

Answer 2

there are a lot of ill informed people answering this question!
the world health organization recommends BF at least until the age of 2.
I have seen no studies that say anything about the age of 5, but children can be nursed pass the age of 2 and many parts of the world is is normal and beneficial.
I think it is between you and your son. it sounds like you aren't quite ready yet. Do what your intuition tells you is best. reevaluate in 6 months or a year.

Answer 3

This is definately a personal decision. You and your husband need to make the decision together. I stopped breastfeeding my son early before his first tooth. If you still want to then go ahead as long as it is okay with your husband. Again this is a personal decision. But, if it were me I would stop now. Most women don't breastfeed after there child turns one. Its up to you.

Answer 4

There is no magic age, every kid is different. Most will wean themselves and there is no reason to think that 2 is too old to breast feed. Woman's intuition will take you a long way, don't ignore it. Perhaps you should look at the validity of your husband's reasoning that you should cease. I heard of a woman once who was still breastfeeding her kid at 7. That might be taking it a bit too far.

Answer 5

Stopping at 2 is a valid idea on your husband's part. By this point, you child should be getting most of his nourishment with food instead of milk. At this point, its more of a want of yours than a need for the child. The reason 5 is listed is because in developing countries its not always easy to get adequate nutrition for a young child. With vitamins and proper diet, your child is fully prepared and able to stop nursing now. I breastfed all my kids, but stopped before age two. It was nice to be intimate with my husband without leaking all over him. I know he is your child, but he's no longer a baby. Enjoy this next stage of his life and let him drink milk from a cup. Your child got the nutrition from you, now give your husband back his wife. He's been patient this long, so honor his request. Its not cruel of him to ask you to stop.

Answer 6

There is really no reason to keep breastfeeding after 1 year of age. By now he has all the immunities he is going to get from you. The studies that say to breastfeed until age 5 are done by kooks that have no scientific background.

Answer 7

I would love to see those studies you're reading about breast feeding until 5 years. I'm not sure how you send a kid to kindergarten when he/she is still nursing. Does that mean that they aren't potty trained either?

Most women who breast feed after the child is walking without assistance and talking in three-word sentences are nursing for themselves and not for the health of the child. At 2 years, the child should already be sitting in a high chair, around the table with the family at meal time, drinking out of, at least, a sippy cup and using a small spoon or fork.

Ween him. But you're probably going to have a more difficult time "weening" than you child is. You have made this more your "safety blanket" than your baby's.

Answer 8

if you want to then that is great. print out some facts and show them to your husband. though I say 5 is very long. by then, he will be going potty in the mens bathrooms already... but until 3 or 4 is great for both you and your son.

Answer 9

This is your issue. If he is not immune by now he will never be. Vaccines work wonders. 2 and still breast feeding that is wrong. He should be using a sippy cup by now. You are going to damage his teeth

What studies say that?......It certainly is not the New England Journal of Medicine.
Check your sources before you start believing things

Answer 10

I breast fed my 1st son to 15 months-he chose to stop. I wouldn't nurse past 2 years old. Babies don't need to nurse for nutrition past 2 years old. Once they are 2 they nurse for comfort.