I am still breastfeeding my 3 year old boy it is OK or I should quit?

Question

at what age should be healthy to quit breastfeeding?

Answer 1

Here is some info that will help you make the right decision:

1. It is unlikely that your breastmilk is of any value to your 3 year old child unless, you have had another pregnancy between the 3 year old and now;

2. Breastfeeding your 3 year old, will definitely have an effect on your own nutritional level, that you may not desire.

3. Is the child growing well and adequately nourished? Is he taking other foods ? It is less likely that he is eating well other foods, when he has the easy breast available for him

4. Are you tending to use your breast more as a pacifier than real means to nourish your 3 year old?

If you were only breastfeeding your 3 year old, say just once in a day and it has many uses, then you may not need to worry much; on the other hand, if it is more frequent, ask the questions that i have put down above; it will help you make the right choice.

Answer 2

You should breastfeed as long as you and your son want to continue. Every child weans at a different time. If you are uncomfortable with it now, it might be the time to stop. However, please know that even though it is not so common to nurse a toddler (or beyond) in the USA, it is not weird or uncommon elsewhere. The natural age of weaning as someone else pointed out is 2.5-7 yrs old.

I nursed my first daughter until 2 yrs 11 months. She weaned on her own terms and it was such a wonderful experience. My younger daughter is 28 months and still nursing.

I'd like to clear up a few myths about nursing toddlers.

1. They don't nurse ALL the time. Most children nursing past 18-24 months only nurse 1-3 times a day for a few minutes.

2. They eat other food. Silly... I'm not sure why people assume breastmilk is all a nursing toddler eats. They drink juice, milk, water etc. They eat 3 meals a day and snacks. very normal.

3. Yes, alot of the time nursing may be for comfort at this point, but what is so bad about that? No one questions when a 3 yr old still sucks on a bottle before bed...or uses a pacifier.

4. As mentioned with #1, this is not a time consuming process or major part of their lives... they can go to play dates, go out to the mall or park, go to school, church etc. Nursing is not their life! (like it is for a newborn baby)

5. They manipulate their parents... only if the parents let them. I hear people say it's gross that a toddler "rips of their mom's shirt to breastfeed in public"-- I've never seen that! if your child did that, the good thing is they are old enough to follow directions and you should tell them NO!

6. They are spoiled. Not in my experience. My daughters know I am there for them. Breastfeeding created a tight bond between us. Letting them wean on their own terms is very empowering for them (and me). They are learning independence just by that...they've made a big decision that they want to/can give up nursing. I wasn't forcing it on them...but gentle hints and suggestions in that direction are definitely OK!

7. they are too attached to mom and don't like anyone else. Not true. As mentioned, breastfeeding isn't their life...they have other interests and plenty of time to socialize with other family members and children!

Answer 3

I would consider stopping soon. I don't feel that its wrong to breastfeed that long but my concern is that hes going to be starting preschool in the next year or so and he probably should develop the social and physical skills that he will need there. The APA(American pediatric association) recommends breastfeeding for the first year and after the first year as long as its mutually desirable. I imagine your only doing 1 or 2 nursing sessions a day at that age. i would slowly cut down on a session then cut them out compleltly
oh and breastfeeding at that age isnt wrong, back before there was baby formula most women breastfed their children through the 3rd year of life.

Answer 4

Breastfeeding a 3 yr old is fine and healthy.The majority of responses you have got are ignorant.#1. Breastfeeding a toddler wont make him a wimp and he can still go to pre-k if he is still nursing,im sure he is not nursing all the day away but just at certain times and he can nurse when he comes home...dont other peoples kids do comforting things when they come home like snuggle a blanket or hold a teddy bear?Somehow that is fine and so is giving cows milk but breastmilk is bad? Its better and healthier to give a human cows milk than human milk? I dont think so.Its also not "sick" like people mentioned whats sick is people who find perverted thoughts with a toddler breastfeeding.And you CANT force a child to breastfeed so when he is ready to wean he will do it.Your doing great dont listen to these people and keep the milk flowing for as long as you and your son are comfortable.

Answer 5

Doctors and some sources say that you should continue to breastfeed even after the first year. And you can breastfeed for up to 5 years of age. But most women stop breastfeeding shortly after the child first birthday, but some women will switch on the second birthday.

Some transition them by doing half breast/half Whole milk. But I only wonder if you are actually holding him and breastfeeding, or do you pump it into a cup and give it to him? If not you might want to start it is just the same.

But whatever age you decide to stop breastfeeding, your son will be better of than other children.

Answer 6

There are a lot of sadly misinformed people answering this question and I feel for you. The question "at what age is it healthy to quit" is a hard one to answer. It's certain that children can "survive" with no breastmilk at all....but we want what's best for our children, not just what's good enough. Breastmilk is the BEST nutrition that any young child can get. So while your son would certainly be just fine if HE weaned right now, he will be even better off if you let him nurse until he's ready to stop!

Answer 7

It is perfectly fine to still be breastfeeding a 3 year old. Mine is 2.5 years old and we are still breastfeeding. If you want to wait until he self-weans, go right ahead. If you want to wean him now, it would be perfectly fine to do so. Whichever you choose at this point will be the right decision as long as it is YOUR decision and you are not giving in to any pressure from others. Do not give in to what others say you SHOULD do, just do what is right for you and your child.

Answer 8

Don't listen to the non-believers. :] Meeting your child's needs is never wrong. Breastfeeding your three year old is entirely fine. Every child is different. Some need that attachment longer than others. The average age in the world for weaning from the breast is four years old! When my daughter was three years old, I stopped nursing in public because it was easier than dealing with the uninformed. But she nursed until she was 5 years old, when she weaned herself naturally. She has grown into a healthy, well-adjusted teenager who never gets sick and has never had a cavity. She's also extremely bright. Breastfeeding beyond infancy is the best thing you can do for your child. Good for you!!!!!

Answer 9

Come on now.. You obviously know that this is an issue otherwise you wouldn't be asking the question.. Someone else who answered this question said something about how could you breastfeed a kid that's old enough to eat a happy meal, and I couldn't agree more... I think breastfeeding is great and all, but not past a year old.. You could give your kid a complex if you don't stop now.. So here's my answer... You should quit breastfeeding your preschooler.. Good luck to you

Answer 10

I breastfeed my two girls, ages 3 and 1, in tandem. They have never seen their father, so I try to be the best mother I can be. Extended breastfeeding is the best way I know to do that.