Is it wrong to breastfeed for over 18months... my last baby is nursing at 18 months, never gone this long!?

Question

Just wondering the general reaction from public. Honesty please.

Answer 1

I work with familes and their babies, and am pro-breastfeeding all the way. However, after your children turn two there is not much benefit to breastfeeding other than promote closeness and comfort. And, to be honest, after a certain age it just does not look cute anymore.
Your child might still be going for it as a means of comforting herself. If you think that is the case (like when she is sleepy, tired, bored or frustrated), you might try offering comfort in other ways like, kisses, hugs, rubs, etc, if you have decided you do not want to breastfeed anymore. In this case consistency is important. If you deny her today, but give in tomorrow, you will have a harder time weaning her.
If you and you baby are comfortable with breastfeeding still, it should be only a matter between you two.

Answer 2

Yeah there are a lot of people who belive in child-led weaning. The unfortunate thing about the internet, is no matter what your view, you can find "facts" to substantiate whatever your belief is. The best thing to do is consult your doctor. Personally, I don't think kids should be nursing much past the 12-15 month range. If the kid doesn't use a bottle or sippy cup AT ALL, then there's something wrong. If you're supplementing breast milk with juices or formulas as well, that's normal. My aunt's friend believed in child-led weaning, and her son nursed until he was SEVEN YEARS OLD. It was very disturbing to see this seven year old lift up his mother's shirt at a park, or in the grocery store to nurse. He'd even use it as a form of manipulation. If he didn't want to leave somewhere, or go somewhere, he'd claim he needed to nurse before they left. It was too weird. My resolute claim: if your kid is old enough to have memories of breast-feeding, he's too old to be breast feeding. Most of us have memories from when we were 2 years old. I'd say if he's nursing beyond 2, that's extremely weird.

Answer 3

I under no circumstances stepped ahead an effective milk furnish with my first son so I only were given to about 4 months with him and that i had to enrich virtually from the starting up. I had extreme hypermesis in the time of my being pregnant and became anemic and were given a staph an infection as well contained in the medical institution so it became a actual uphill conflict. I felt undesirable about it yet he were given adequate benefit to be healthful as a horse - nevertheless is and he's 8 now. This being pregnant is going mushy and that i'm hoping that subsequently i'm getting a better physically powerful furnish considering i'm no longer ill and that i'd pick to solely breastfeed for 4 months because i have study reasearch that asserts it lessens the prospect for formative years bronchial asthma - some thing his dad and that i both have. some thing i am going to do to get him that head start up, yet after about six months i am going to't see doing it in my view except i'm pumping and utilising bottles. i pick some mobility or maybe as those little enamel start up coming in i quite do not pick them to bite ;) lol. Plus i'd pick to have the flexibility to workout habitual and lose the toddler weight and that i'm afraid if I attempt this breastfeeding it may result the provision. i imagine you probably did large going for 5 months! it isn't any longer as basic as its made to look!

Answer 4

My son nursed until 5 1/2 and my daughter until 4 1/2. They are only 4 years apart so there was some overlap and yes I got pregnant while nursing.

They have turned out just fine. I really think that children need more parental physical contact than our society is willing to give them. My children do not have oral fixations like you see with some children. They don't suck on things and are against all of the oral fixations of adults - smoking, drugs and alcohol etc.

Do not listen to doctors unless they have sound medical reasons backed up by sound medical studies. Otherwise they are just expressing opinions like everyone else. Dr. Sears, a leading pediatrician (I think) has written lots of information on this topic, but he is pro-breastfeeding. You might want to read pros and cons and reason it out for yourself.

I will tell you that the weaning process was part me and part them. I had to push a small amount.

Answer 5

It is totally up to you. Just think about other countries where women breastfeed for YEARS as someone above stated...Our childhood mortality rate is lower than any other counrty, so trying to follow trends in other countries when it comes to health is not really a good idea. My son was only breast fed for 10 weeks and he is now 23 months and totally healthy and very smart.

Answer 6

No it is not wrong to breastfeed for longer than 18 months. My sister breastfed her daughter until she was almost 4. It is healthy for your child. The only though I had was "wasn't it painful with teeth?" but I guess that's why she gave up, either that or she realized my niece was too grown or dependent on her.

Answer 7

Nope! I nurse my son until he was over 2 1/2 years old. I think they will stop when they are ready! Don't worry about it. You are giving your child the best nutrition you can possibly give it. Keep up the good work. And don't allow anybody tell you other wise.

Answer 8

I don't think there is anything wrong with it. More important though.... is how you feel about it. The world health organization recommends that mothers breastfeed for two years. I think that the bond breastfeeding creates is priceless and if YOU and your child want to continue that there is nothing wrong with that.

Answer 9

I nursed my daughter for three years...it really helped us to avoid sickness, promoted trust and closeness...and really helped us with disipline.

I personally see no drawbacks to extended nursing. I feel it helped us get through the 'terrible two's'...

You are doing a real service to your child and I would keep going as long as you both are comfortable with it...

Feel good about your choice and others will pick up on it...it is a loving, informed, compassionate choice...and I applaud you for it.

:)

Answer 10

Oh, honey good for you! You are doing the best thing for your child! Good for you guys! I would have kept on going but at 12 months, my son looked at me with a sippy cup in his hand and basically said, "Can I get that to go"? You keep on as long as you are still happy with it. If you are resentful, wean. You have earned your stripes as a great mommy!