My daughter is 13mths and showing no signs of wanting to stop she only has it say 3-4 times a day, she is eating well and also has full cream milk. Its just that friends and family say that maybe I should be stopping now, its got me thinking maybe I should stop. But Im happy to keep feeding her and its not inconvienient for me at all, plus I see that she still enjoys it. Is there anything wrong with this?
2006-10-19 16:57:35 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
NO!! Nothing wrong and I think it's great! I am still breastfeeding my 22 month old and plan to go until 2 and then let him wean himself.
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding until 1 year and then FOR AS LONG AS IS MUTUALLY DESIRABLE for mother and child. The World Health Organization recommends to breastfeed until 2.
I asked a question here recently asking about the nutritional benefits of nursing after one year...check out the Best Answer!!
My child has NEVER come up to me and pulled on my shirt or grabbed at me. We nurse 2 -4 times a day, but only at home now.
If you're happy and baby is happy then that is what is most important. No one else needs to know or interfere in how you choose to nourish your child. You are giving her a wonderful gift that only YOU can give. Go for it!!
Congratulations!!
2006-10-19 18:45:30 · answer #1 · answered by seaelen 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is not only okay, but it is what nature intends. Your baby doesn't suddenly turn into a cow at age 1. Your milk is "regular milk." it will not be impossible to wean her when she is ready. I'm sure she is eating some solids and will add more as time goes on. My daughter nursed for 40 months and gave it up in just a couple days when she was ready, no muss, no fuss. She is now a strong, responsible intelligent, independant 10 y.o. that rarely gets sick. My 20 month old son still nurses a few times a day too.
The natural age for humans to wean is somewhere between the ages of 3-6 YEARS old!
Check out Kellymom (as a previous responder said) and also Mothering.com has a breastfeeding past infancy forum where you can find support and information!
Way to go for making this far!
2006-10-19 18:25:22 · answer #2 · answered by Terrible Threes 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is nothing sick or illegal or immoral in this at all, ignore the people who say those things. But there does come a time when you will have to stop. In a lot of cultures it is acceptable to breast feed until the baby is 3-4 years old. Once she can start eating whole foods, you should start weening her off the best you can. The milk isn't providing any nutrients that she can't get from other foods. I know it will be hard for the both of you, but you can do it.
2006-10-19 17:57:03 · answer #3 · answered by Rach 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like breastfeeding is going incredibly well for both you and your daughter. Listen to YOUR instincts--nobody knows your child (and your own feelings) better than you do! Many of the answers to your question so far reflect a strong cultural bias: here in the US many babies aren't breastfed at all, let alone past one year. The World Health Organization recommends that all babies should be breastfed a *minimum* of two years and the worldwide average age for weaning is 4 or 5 years old. This may seem strange to us, but there are many benefits (both nutritional and emotional) to continue nursing past infanthood. Everyone is so interested in making sure our children become independent as soon as possible, but I have yet to meet a nursing high school student!
I think the bottom line is to keep nursing as long as you BOTH enjoy it. As far as your family and friends are concerned, arm yourself with some knowledge by reading "Our Babies, Ourselves" by anthropologist Meredith Small and attend a local La Leche League meeting for support. See links below.
2006-10-19 17:14:23 · answer #4 · answered by LAmama 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Of course its ok!, I BF my son until he was 2 when he just decided it was time to stop overnight. I must admit though I only fed him at home in a special chair so he was never grabbing at me in public etc. As for the comments their is no longer any benefit, that has been recently found to be completely wrong there are huge benefits both psychologically and physically, maybe go to the Australian breastfeeding society web page and see just what benefits you are providing. PS: Plus its alot cheaper than toddler formula's!!. Enjoy your decisions this time passes so quick and you wont ever get it back with this baby!!
2006-10-19 17:11:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely not. I breast fed my youngest son until he was around 16 months old.If you are happy and she is happy all the power to you.Don't let the nay sayers get to you.People are often down on what they do not understand.Tell them that it is none of their business what you do with your child and you will stop when you and your baby are ready not when they think you should.When you are ready to ween I found the if the baby does not ask do not offer the breast method worked best for us,It takes a little longer but there is much less stress.
2006-10-22 05:51:11 · answer #6 · answered by blue_eyed_brat78 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing physically harmful to either you or your baby to nurse for a "longer than usual time", and emotionally as long as you're enjoying it and your baby is as well, it's great. You may want to speak with the La Lache League, They are a group who help nursing mothers or just provide support. I had trouble nursing my first son & sadly I had never heard of Le Lache League then. Our nursing experience was short lived. Very unfortunate for both of us, including some health problems that could have been lessened or eliminited. My experience with nursing my other son was wonderful. I nursed him for 2 years. Sometime during the second year I started cutting back and eased to just at bedtime before we finally quit all together. That timing just happened to be right for our family. I had many friends who nursed long past the 2nd birthday. Trust me I got plenty of static too. It's between you and your husbands and how the two of you feel about it
2006-10-19 18:21:04 · answer #7 · answered by Carol F 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think if you are OK with it then keep nursing. I knew a woman who breastfed her first born until the second one came along. The first one was weened off and the second baby was nursed until a third child was born. There was about 2 years between the ages of these kids. That's a long time to be nursing non stop. It was a bit weird seeing this toddler run up to mummy and pull up her shirt, but the rest of us mums at play group got used to it.
2006-10-19 17:08:56 · answer #8 · answered by Curious1 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I have to say i am in total agreement with everyone who said it has to be your decision. Do not let anyone rush you. When you and your child our ready then worry about. I BF my oldest untill she was about 2 1/2 it is perfectly healthy, safe, and nurturing. There are many benefits to the child and the mother. For every year that you breastfed you lower your chance of developing certain types of female cancers. The people who are telling you that it is wrong just do not have the proper information.
2006-10-19 17:24:11 · answer #9 · answered by OklahomaSweetie 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I've read children naturally begin to wean off when they start to eat solids but I've also read the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding children up to the age of two years.
2006-10-19 17:04:08 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋