Breastfeeding past the age of one?

Question

My 18 month old son still breastfeeds- in addition to regular food. He mostly nurses when I pick him up from the baby sitters in the afternoon, and then when it is time to go to sleep at night. He also wakes up once a night, usually around the same time, to be nursed back to sleep. I was breastfed by my mother until I was 2 1/2, and I beleve that we have such a good relationship because of the closeness I endured during the breastfeeding. So far, I have enjoyed a similar closeness with my son. I have attempted to stop nursing, but have found that our (my son and I) life is much easier without such an abrubt change. I would like him to wean himself, when he is ready, but my husband thinks I should stop now. And it's not like I nurse him in public anymore, only in the privacy of our home, due to stares of onlookers who have their own opinions!!!

Thoughts???

Answer 1

Don't worry about what other people say. You are doing what you and your child prefer. Breastfeeding is a wonderful bonding experience, and it has great benefits for you and your child. You have a lowered risk for breast cancer, and your child is being given immunities (still) that will help him fight infection. You cannot make your child obese by nursing him. You cannot make him overdependent. You are doing a good thing.

I am still nursing my 21 mos. old son, and we both enjoy it. It is a great bonding experience for us, and it is just a nice way to spend a few minutes in an otherwise hectic day. Also, it works great as a rest buttin if he is having a tough day.

As for your spouse, you should educate him on the benefits of nursing past one year of age, and don't listen to ignorant people who tell you that you are messing your kid up. Even some docs will tell you that you should stop, but the American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization, etc., all recommend going for as long as you like. Your hubby may be feeling left out, so try to give him extra attention - you know what I mean.

You are doing everything right, so don't worry about it.

Answer 2

Not to worry breastfeeding is a very personal decision. Maybe you could start to wean him do so but I agree it should be gradual. Especially since you have to be away from him all day I think weaning him down to one breastfeeding session a day, maybe the one just before he goes to bed is a great idea. Would your husband be more comfortable with this? If you take away the feeding in the middle of the night and offer him a sipper cup he will probably start to sleep through the night which is good for both of you. Many people who don't or haven't nursed their children don't understand just how hard it is to give up this very special time with your child. There are no hard and fast rules on how long you should nurse, follow your heart, you know better than anyone else when the time is right. Have a long talk with your hubby about how important this is to you and for you to keep this bond a little longer. Good Luck feel free to e-mail me if you need to talk.

Answer 3

I think you are doing a wonderful thing by breastfeeding your son. Many people stop around the age of one, but I think it is due to their own issues. I nursed for 18 months, until I got pregnant again and then just decided it was too taxing on my body to be tandem nursing- ALTHOUGH it is possible to nurse and be pregnant. I think there must have been some hormonal change in the milk because as soon as I got pregnant my son refused to nurse. (We were down to once a day).
If you are working and gone during the day, I think this is an important bonding tool for you and your son and you are doing the right thing. If you would like to cut down, personally I would suggest eliminating the middle of the night feeding. It will take a couple nights, but he isn't actually hungry then, just accustomed to it.
He will decide when he is ready, don;t let societal pressures unduly influence you. This is truly the GREATEST gift you can give your child!!

Answer 4

My little sister (she is almost three now) stopped breastfeeding when she was two and half years old. Breastfeeding is very healthy and really helps with the immune system, so I think the longer you can breatfeed, the better it is for the baby!
A lot of people have mixed feelings about breatfeeding past the age of one, but I feel that if you have enough milk and your son is still receiving all the nutrition he requires from his other foods, than the decision should be up to you. When it comes to your own child, as the mother you will always know what's the best for you and him.

Answer 5

Do it as long as you and your baby feel comfortable. If you start to feel like it's not right then he will pick up on that and it's time to wean. Otherwise, just do what feels right. when it's time, cut out the least favored breast feeding of the day and so on. Just don't go cold turkey. There's nothing wrong with what you're doing. I just stopped nursing my daughter at 14 months old. It was really difficult at first, and she wanted to nurse even more for a couple of weeks, but then she got the hang of it and didn't even remember it. Good luck.

Answer 6

You know what - as long as you are comfortable with it, keep it up.

I think there is a time to draw the line, but at 18 months old, he is still a baby. I feel like as long as they are still in their infancy, there is nothing wrong with breastfeeding. When they reach the toddler stage and start asking for it - then it's time to quit.

You may want to consider holding him off of the afternoon feeding and just try feeding him before bed and when he wakes up in the middle of the night. Try that for a few weeks and when he's gotten used to that routine, try giving up the middle of the night feeding.

Sometimes, I think it's harder on us (as moms) to give up that closeness than it is for the child. I breastfed all 4 of my children and when they quit nursing, it means they are evolving into that next stage of life. For us, that's hard. (Especially if you know it's going to be your last child).

Good Luck - Best Wishes.

Answer 7

Wow. I guess whatever makes both you and your child happy. It such a political world we live in, I'm sure it does get stares. I personally, and my opinion only, wouldn't breast feed past 1 year old. I mean, I bathe with my 7 year old child, but she washes herself, etc... There has to be a line at some point with your children. When my daughter is 10, we won't be bathing together anymore, because I won't feel comfortable and neither will she, because your body is more of a sexual thing, at that age.
I think if you feel it's natural, and your child does, then breastfeed as long as you deem necessary. But, you should find a line, and not be willing to cross it at a certain age of your child.

Answer 8

Ideally you should do it until one of you is not interested in it anymore. If it is causing friction w/ your hubby you may want to just start weaning now. You will never lose the bond you have with your son. You are forever planted deep in each others' hearts. You can have close moments in other ways. I breastfed my now-25-month-old son until he was 16 mos. Now he and I do something special together once a week ( watch airplanes, go to the zoo, go out to lunch) in addition to all those special moments that occur throughout the day. Good luck!

Answer 9

Yeah, but what about the teeth???

There is no reason to stop breastfeeding just because your baby is 1. He still receives benefits from this perfect food. He will eventually learn to like regular milk and outgrow the need to nurse. Have you tried giving him a sippy cup instead of a bottle? You might also try a cup with a straw. Unless there is a pressing reason not to, it is perfectly normal for him to continue to nurse.

Answer 10

I agree with you. I think that you should follow your babies lead. someday he will be all grown up. Once you get to the age of around three, you may have to step in and put a little more effort towards weaning him but for now, he's still just a baby. And besides. I see plenty of 18 months to 3 year olds still walking around with a bottle or paci, so whats the big deal. Its all natural and follow your instinks. you are doing a wonderful job and keep up the good work! Have a great day!