I still breastfeed my 19 month old son before naps and bedtime. Is it time to stop? I need help!?

Question

Occasionally he bites during his sleep, so I don't think it is on purpose...but never the less I think he broke the skin, because for the last few days my breast has been really really sore and I think it may be infected. I need help on ways to wean him...

Answer 1

World Health Organization says kids should be breastfed the first 2 years of life (with additional food the second year of course).

So, this is between you and your kid. It's a great way to sooth hyper toddlers and gives them all your immunities through your milk.

For help in healing the bite, preventing biting, and gradual weaning, call your local La Leche League leader for advice. And try going to a meeting to meet other nursing moms who will support your decisions!

Answer 2

You should not feel pressured to wean your 19 month-old unless you and he are ready to do so. I do think you should have your breast looked at by a physician because you could have an infection, called mastitis. If you have mastitis, then weaning at this time could be dangerous and cause the infection to worsen. I personally breastfeed my 18 month-old before naps and bedtime and whenever else she wants to. The only time we have any problems with biting is when she is teething...could that be an issue for your son?
Here's some information on plugged ducts and mastitis:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

There are many benefits to continued nursing for toddlers. The World Health Oganization (WHO) recommends nursing for at LEAST two years, stating that children who are weaned earlier than that are at increased risk of infection. Here is a list of benefits to nursing toddlers:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html

If you decide that weaning is what you want to do, it is generally best for both mom and baby to wean as gradually as possible. You might want to look for weaning help at www.kellymom.com (a great breastfeeding resource), www.mothering.com, or www.lalecheleague.org. Here is some good information about weaning for you:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/how_weaning_happens.html
http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBweaning.html

Good luck! You have already done an amazing job of meeting your childs needs by breastfeeding up to this point! I hope your breast feels much better soon!

Answer 3

If you are still happy nursing, there is no reason to wean. Continuing to breastfeed him is normal and healthy.

You said he bit you in his sleep? In most cases, that means you might not have been supporting his head well enough. If you aren't supporting their heads well, they may get a sensation of falling if they are drifting off to sleep and bite down to "catch" themselves. Work on your positioning and make sure his head is well supported and see if the biting stops.

Other reasons for biting might be teething (usually at the START of a feed) or a signal that he is finishing the session and playing around with you (if he's still awake). The link below will give you other ways to deal with biting.

If he broke the skin, you may want to use a little Lansinoh to help heal your nipple. Also, if it is sore, try to get him to start sessions on the uninjured breast since when he first starts is when he will nurse most vigorously. There is also a link on healing broken skin below.

TARA - actually, most doctors DON'T think that...at least not if they are following the recommendations of their professional organizations. The AAP recommends nursing *at least* one year, the WHO and UNICEF recommend *at least* 2 years and the AAFP is very supportive of extended nursing.

There is also a link below on weaning if you choose to go that route. You should go slowly and gently...NEVER wean cold turkey as it is hard on both mother and baby. Cold turkey weaning can lead to plugged ducts and mastitis in mom!

Answer 4

The world average for weaning is between 4 and 7 years old. The fact that few are breast fed past one year of age in this country is cultrual.

If breastfeeding is an issue for you - if you're not comfortible with it, you can wean him. He will find other ways to comfort himself before sleeping, as it's not nutritional for him anymore.

Answer 5

I watched a programme where women were breastfeeding till 12 yrs old - by about 1 thay should be on cows milk - as breast milk may not be nutritainally of value for him anymore.
Start wearing tight tops and denying him access - the quickest way is the direct way - stop him having it, keep giving him lots of cuddles so he feels close to you but offer cows milk - why on earth is he still being fed in the night!!!!! Will be a hard few weeks, but the tight bras will start stopping milk flow - might hurt your boobs for a few days - and he will probably scream alot, but in the end it'll be worth it - you've given him breast milk which most mothers dont even do - but I think its time to stop!!

Answer 6

Use Lansinoh and/or breastmilk on the bite and wean him only if that is what you want to do. Don't worry about those that tell you that he is too old.
Tara S - doctors don't recommend that you wean at 12 months. They recommend that you breastfeed for AT LEAST 12 months - way different.

Answer 7

That sounds awful! You should definitely get your breast looked at by a doctor to make sure everything's alright, but you shouldn't stop breastfeeding your son. Kids know what's best for them, and when he's ready to stop breastfeeding, he'll let you know in his own special way. ;)

These years are precious, and some children breastfeed at as old as four years - sometimes even five. Good luck!

Answer 8

My daughter is 20 months I was thinking about stopping breast feeding.. but i dont have aproblem with i and she doe snot .. Here it the US many turn their noses up.. but God made us to make milk for a reason cows milk is for a baby cow not a baby human .. the cow are is put on hormones to produce milk ..

when he falls a sleep remove ur nipple from his mouth.. when he is ready to wean he will let u know

Answer 9

It is completely appropriate and healthy to continue breastfeeding until your child reaches age 2. If he's biting, then you may want to consider switching to a breast pump and then feeding him breast milk through a bottle or a sippy cup. This will help you prepare to ween him, but he will still be getting good nutrition.

Answer 10

Congratulations for breastfeeding beyond a year!

You may want to try removing your nipple just before he falls asleep if he will let you; my 16 month old nurses to sleep and I remove the nipple and continue to cuddle him and sing to him and he will still drop off.

For the pain you could use a cool compress and Lasinoh cream. Also, make sure you are not using soap on your nipples in the shower, as this can dry them out and make them more prone to cracking.

Lastly, if his teeth are coming in contact with your nipple, he is not latched correctly, so this is another reason to remove your nipple.

Good luck to you! My son's pediatrician tells us to nurse as long as mutually desirable, so don't succumb to social pressure to wean if you and your son are not ready yet.