And please tell me where you are from. This is just to see what everyone's opinions are. I am curious to know how differently people feel about it. I breastfeed, and my southern Alabama family thinks it is gross!! I live in California and my son is 9 months old. I also don't breastfeed him anymore in public, only at home. he is not walking yet, your opinions please??
2006-09-18 16:23:10 · 32 answers · asked by tasha 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
PS: He has 6 teeth and they have never been a problem!
2006-09-18 17:08:03 · update #1
For as long as you and your child want to. I think it's silly for anyone to tell anyone else how long to do anything with your kid. Only you know how long you want to nurse, when you should potty train, when you should send your child to school, when you should do anything. Lots of people looked poorly at me when I stopped at 6 months with my first. He just didn't want to do it anymore. I didn't want to push him. He wanted a cup and that was that. My second has reflux and the angle he would lay to nurse cause him to vomit. So we switched to formula and he eats sitting up and does great. Every kid is different, every family is different. If you and your baby love nursing, do it until you or he does not love it anymore. Good Luck!
2006-09-18 17:03:46 · answer #1 · answered by aerofrce1 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm from Holland, PA, just outside of Northeast Philadelphia. I'm currently breastfeeding my son (who's 9 months old also). I plan to breastfed until close to a year, if he'll stay still! That's what is recommended, so I don't apologize for continuing to breastfeed, even though my family is casually suggesting it's time to stop. My husband's family wasn't crazy about breastfeeding at all, but they never said anything to me. My sister-in-law did breastfeed for 3 months though because the Dr. suggested it. If I bring up this topic around here, there are very different opinions from person to person. Mostly the older generation isn't crazy about it, and people who have read about raising children think it is a good idea. Mostly everyone I've spoken to says they are very uncomfortable when the kids can carry on a conversation and are still breastfeeding. For me personally, I think 1 year is good. I'm not sure my son will last that long though. During the day, he is starting to refuse because he's so interested in everything going on. And whenever he finds a sippy cup (from my 2 year old) he picks it up and drinks from it. I think you should take your cues from your son, and what you feel comfortable with. You shouldn't feel bad about breastfeeding in public, when you can't go someplace private, as long as you do it discreetly. I used to go into the bathroom whenever they had a little sitting area. If they don't I try to face a wall and drape a cloth over my shoulder. Or, I'd breastfeed in my car. I just made sure I had something to put over my shoulder so noone could see anything.
2006-09-18 16:51:35 · answer #2 · answered by Susan W 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well I only breastfed my son for a few weeks. It just didnt work for my son and I. My best friend breast fed my god daughter until she was 1 year old. I am from Wisconsin and that seemed to be normal there, I know that a lot of doctors like babies to be breast fed for at least the first 6 months and even to a year old. There are also people that believe that they shouldnt stop until there child is ready, which for some children could be 6 years old. I am not going to say that I agree with that I just know that it can be done. I guess what I am trying to say is that you can do it until you do not feel comfortable doing it anymore. Well good luck.
2006-09-18 16:33:15 · answer #3 · answered by Monkeygirlwi 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am in MN and I nursed my kiddos each for a year. I know it made my in law's uncomfortable...but I didn't care. It was a way I felt really close to my kids, saved us a ton of money in formula and also I knew I was giving my kids the best. It is very, very acceptable here as many public places provide women places to sit down and nurse their kids. I also made sure I was discreet if I was to sit down and nurse my child in public. My family lives in CA and I know I have nursed my kids in public there. As far as the answer to your question, I weaned my kids at a year....it was so easy because they seemed so much more interested in table foods than nursing. I didn't go cold turkey...just gently cut out feedings. A lot of children will just go cold turkey and not want to nurse any more and then there are those who still want to nurse at 3. I think that is a little extreme but I know there are differing opinions. I think you need to do what is most comfortable for you. Think about the reasons why you nurse your son not about how other people think about what you are doing. You are giving your son the best and all the support to you.
2006-09-18 16:38:28 · answer #4 · answered by tod 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As long as you and your baby feel comfortable. My friend with two kids nursed both until age 2 (my wife used a pump exclusively and we phased that out at 13 months). From what I understand, tooth decay doesn't have to be a problem if you introduce brushing at a young age. Breastfeeding becomes more of a comfort issue than a nutrition issue after a while, as you probably have guessed. If you get a lot of guff from your Southern relatives, just say "He's my son and that's how we do it in California" as a gentle reminder that you aren't beholden to them.
2006-09-19 08:20:18 · answer #5 · answered by acyberotaku 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is 1 year. I am breastfeeding. It benifits the child nutritonally and emotionally. It is time to stop breastfeeding when both you and your baby is ready. If that is at a year then fine if its at 3 years whatever! As long as both of you are happy breastfeeding then keep doing it. You need to BF for a year or use formula. Breastfeeding until 2 years old is actually recommended. As for your family tell them to take a hike. I'm guessing they didnt breastfeed, if they did not for long. Kellymom.com has some good info on breastfeeding and extended breastfeeding (after a year old). I am from California by the way. Oh i'm also pregnant and will be breastfeeding that one too. My Mother in law cant stand it, for some unknown reason!
Also for the people that are telling you they only get nutrents for the first few weeks or months they are VERY VERY WRONG. Your milk will continute to change until you stop breastfeeding. They get helpful antibodies as well as fat, water, vitimins and amino acids. FORMULA DOSE NOT COMPARE AND IS NOT NUTRITIONALY BETTER!!!! EVEN FORMULA COMPANYS TELL YOU BREAST IS BEST!! Do some reasearch, it will back up my info.
Yes I do plan on breastfeeding both my children. I did not plan on getting pregnant agian, let alone so soon. My son isnt ready to give it up and I am fine with that. Why should I wean him if he isnt ready? Just because there is another on the way? That is plan silly. What if they were only 9 months apart? Put him on formula because it makes you uncomfortable or you dont understand it? People in this country need to educate themselves on breastfeeding.
2006-09-18 16:33:19 · answer #6 · answered by shannonlbuck 3 · 7⤊ 1⤋
I am from New Hampshire and I do not think 9 months old is too old...now if your son were 4 or five, that would be yucky! My personal opinion is whatever makes a mother comfortable is what she should do. In some societies, they breast feed until their children are over 5. Not for me..lol I would never look down on someone for doing something so natural. Feed on!!
2006-09-18 16:27:39 · answer #7 · answered by **KELLEY** 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it's to long when your child can say. " Mom I would like some cha cha" or milk or nummies. So about 3 or 4. But I do know a women who breastfed her 5 year old for comfort because the child was mentally handicap and not dealing with her moms pregnancy well. I didn't think bad of her, it's her body and her baby. If she feels it's best to breastfeed at that age (or any women who feel that way) then it's thier right to do so. I'm from California.
2006-09-18 16:31:32 · answer #8 · answered by Desiree 1 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I live in Northern California and nursed my daughter until she was 12 months old. It is recommended that you nurse for at least 12 months, and up until 24 months if both mom and baby are willing and able. I personally think that nursing past the age of 2 is a little too long.
2006-09-18 16:31:29 · answer #9 · answered by Melissa 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I nursed until my son was 2. He started solids at 6 months -- but didn't get any other milk products until after he was weaned.
I am in Ohio. I have several allergies, and wanted to give him more immunity to them. I fed in public (discreetly) until he was about 1 I think -- by the time he was 18 months old we were only nursing in the mornings and when I got home from work (I didn't do it before bed around this time because I didn't want it to be part of his "ritual" -- we tapered off, and I had "2" as a cut-off date in my head.... )
I pumped during the day when I was at work, and my MIL used bottles of my milk, she watched him during the day. Thoughout the time I fed "on demand" on weekends or when I was staying with him all day -- whenever he asked -- by 20 months he just wasn't asking as much.
Do it as long as you are comfortable and he and you have a good experience. I know people in this area who did it until after their child was 3 years -- it's all a matter of where you are in your comfort level. Above all, enjoy your little one. My son still enjoys rocking with me when he's tired, or needs to talk -- and he's 6. He's a bit big for my lap, but we sit side to side on the rocker, and are still close.
Take care of yourself.
2006-09-18 16:43:05 · answer #10 · answered by kaliselenite 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋