serious breastfeeding questions?

Question

I want to know how many women breastfed there babies for a full year or more I'd also like to know those of you who did not why did you stop ? I need to know the best pump to buy I need to know what kind of storage containers are affordable and work best for storing and freezing breastmilk. I am very determined to breastfeed as long as possible I only breastfed my son for two weeks I got frustrated and stopped I was a lot younger and less determined than I am now so any advice or good websites would be helpful thanks in advance!!

Answer 1

The best breastfeeding website by far:
http://www.kellymom.com

You don't need a pump if you are going to stay home.

And for those *ahem* alleged nurses among others who think you should stop breastfeeding at 12 months or earlier:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html
Extended Breastfeeding Fact Sheet
By Kelly Bonyata, BS, IBCLC

PDF version (great for printing) | Portuguese | Bulgarian | Russian

Breastfeeding benefits toddlers and young children...
nutritionally, immunilogically and psychologically.

Nursing toddlers benefit NUTRITIONALLY
Nursing toddlers are SICK LESS OFTEN
Nursing toddlers have FEWER ALLERGIES
Nursing toddlers are SMART
Nursing toddlers are WELL ADJUSTED SOCIALLY
Nursing a toddler is NORMAL
MOTHERS also benefit from nursing past infancy
Additional Resources
Nursing toddlers benefit NUTRITIONALLY
Although there has been little research done on children who breastfeed beyond the age of two, the available information indicates that breastfeeding continues to be a valuable source of nutrition and disease protection for as long as breastfeeding continues.
"Human milk expressed by mothers who have been lactating for >1 year has significantly increased fat and energy contents, compared with milk expressed by women who have been lactating for shorter periods. During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet might be significant."
-- Mandel 2005
"Breast milk continues to provide substantial amounts of key nutrients well beyond the first year of life, especially protein, fat, and most vitamins."
-- Dewey 2001
In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:
29% of energy requirements
43% of protein requirements
36% of calcium requirements
75% of vitamin A requirements
76% of folate requirements
94% of vitamin B12 requirements
60% of vitamin C requirements
-- Dewey 2001
Studies done in rural Bangladesh have shown that breastmilk continues to be an important source of vitamin A in the second and third year of life.
-- Persson 1998
It's not uncommon for weaning to be recommended for toddlers who are eating few solids. However, this recommendation is not supported by research. According to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):
Some doctors may feel that nursing will interfere with a child's appetite for other foods. Yet there has been no documentation that nursing children are more likely than weaned children to refuse supplementary foods. In fact, most researchers in Third World countries, where a malnourished toddler's appetite may be of critical importance, recommend continued nursing for even the severely malnourished (Briend et al, 1988; Rhode, 1988; Shattock and Stephens, 1975; Whitehead, 1985). Most suggest helping the malnourished older nursing child not by weaning but by supplementing the mother's diet to improve the nutritional quality of her milk (Ahn and MacLean. 1980; Jelliffe and Jelliffe, 1978) and by offering the child more varied and more palatable foods to improve his or her appetite (Rohde, 1988; Tangermann, 1988; Underwood, 1985).

References

Nursing toddlers are SICK LESS OFTEN
The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001).
Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers (Gulick 1986).
"Antibodies are abundant in human milk throughout lactation" (Nutrition During Lactation 1991; p. 134). In fact, some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process. (Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991).
Per the World Health Organization, "a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness." [emphasis added]
References

Nursing toddlers have FEWER ALLERGIES
Many studies have shown that one of the best ways to prevent allergies and asthma is to breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months and continue breastfeeding long-term after that point.

Breastfeeding can be helpful for preventing allergy by:
reducing exposure to potential allergens (the later baby is exposed, the less likely that there will be an allergic reaction),
speeding maturation of the protective intestinal barrier in baby's gut,
coating the gut and providing a barrier to potentially allergenic molecules,
providing anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of infections (which can act as allergy triggers).
References

Nursing toddlers are SMART
Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest.
References

Nursing toddlers are WELL ADJUSTED SOCIALLY
According to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):

"Research reports on the psychological aspects of nursing are scarce. One study that dealt specifically with babies nursed longer than a year showed a significant link between the duration of nursing and mothers' and teachers' ratings of social adjustment in six- to eight-year-old children (Ferguson et al, 1987). In the words of the researchers, 'There are statistically significant tendencies for conduct disorder scores to decline with increasing duration of breastfeeding.'"
According to Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. in "Extended Breastfeeding and the Law":
"Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood."
Baldwin continues: "Meeting a child's dependency needs is the key to helping that child achieve independence. And children outgrow these needs according to their own unique timetable." Children who achieve independence at their own pace are more secure in that independence then children forced into independence prematurely.
References

Nursing a toddler is NORMAL
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)
The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that breastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that "Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired." They also note that "If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2001)
A US Surgeon General has stated that it is a lucky baby who continues to nurse until age two. (Novello 1990)
The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond (WHO 1992, WHO 2002).
Scientific research by Katherine A. Dettwyler, PhD shows that 2.5 to 7.0 years of nursing is what our children have been designed to expect (Dettwyler 1995).
References [see also position statements supporting breastfeeding]

MOTHERS also benefit from nursing past infancy
Extended nursing delays the return of fertility in some women by suppressing ovulation (References).
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer (References). Studies have found a significant inverse association between duration of lactation and breast cancer risk.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian cancer (References).
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of uterine cancer (References).
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of endometrial cancer (References).
Breastfeeding protects against osteoporosis. During lactation a mother may experience decreases of bone mineral. A nursing mom's bone mineral density may be reduced in the whole body by 1 to 2 percent while she is still nursing. This is gained back, and bone mineral density may actually increase, when the baby is weaned from the breast. This is not dependent on additional calcium supplementation in the mother's diet. (References).
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. (References).
Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease insulin requirements in diabetic women (References).
Breastfeeding moms tend to lose weight easier (References).


Page last modified: 01/04/2006
Written: 3/12/98

Answer 2

I nursed until my son was a year old, which suprised a lot of people because I was only 19. ?? It's really good for them and the pain goes away. And after 4 or 5 months the swollen, always leaking thing goes away too. I bought the little gerber bags to store milk in. They have a ton of brands. I never found a pump that I liked. This might sound weird but my doctor said he heard it a lot. I got a lot more milk manually than with a pump. The pumps always hurt. Wow, I know I'm gonna get some comments on that from some perverts on here ;) Anyway, don't give up it's wonderful bonding and great for your child's health. Also, I found that Lansonil ...that may not be exactly right but you'll know i t when you see it, it's in a purple box. Their breast pads work the best because theyre thicker but dont look all bulky.


TO the nurse above who said the longest you should breast feed is 6 months then switch to whole milk, where did you learn that? I've read books went to websites asked my pediatrician, i've NEVER heard that. I've always heard no milk before a year.

Answer 3

I nursed my 2 of my 4 kids for a year. The other two I gave up out of frustration.

I would definitely get involved or at least in contact with the La Leche League. They are very militant about breastfeeding, IMO, but they have great information and support services.

As far as pumps, I found the Gerber manual pump the easiest. I couldn't get milk with any others, including a high grade rented pump. You could definately find some rental locations in your area for short term rental of pumps to decide what will work best for you.

Both Lansinoh and Gerber make breastmilk storage bags that I loved. You pump into a bottle then pour it into the bag, seal, write the date and freeze or refridgerate. When you are ready to use, just warm up in a bag of hot water (takes about 10-15 minutes) and pop the bag into a Playtex bottle. I loved them.

Also, I had an issue when I was nursing, my daughters would fuss and cry and I felt like I was feeding way to often for way too long. I thought it was a shortage of milk. It turned out after several sleepless days that I had wayyyy too much milk and all my daughter was getting was foremilk. Just an FYI.

Answer 4

I nursed each of my little girls for over a year.

I work outside the home, and had to go back to work when each was about 8 weeks. I had a Medela Pump'n'Style, which was a double, electric pump. I ended up leaving that at work most of the time, and just carrying the pieces that needed washing. At home, just in case, I had an Isis hand pump, which I LOVED. I just heard that there's now a double, electric Isis pump, and if I were to nurse another child, I think I'd give that a go. The Medela worked fine, but the Isis is more comfortable and more like a baby suckling.

I just used the Avent or Medela bottles that came with the pumps, and transferred everything to Gerber breastmilk freezer bags. I never had to store milk for long, since the kids drank it up as fast as I could make it, but freezing was handy for both me and our daycare provider, so that's what we did.

Answer 5

i still breastfeed my 10 month old and will probably do so for another few months. it has worked out really well for me, i have never had any serious problems and my baby always attached easily etc. it was tricky and sometimes painful at first, but if you are determined to do it then you should be ok. good for you. it is a lot easier than i thought it would be and a lot more enjoyable etc. i never need to worry about bottles and sterilising etc. i have a medela breast pump but i only used it a few times. my baby won't take a bottle, the clinic nurse said i had left it too long to introduce it. i found the pump easy to use, and you can get bags that you can freeze the milk in. i just never persisted with it, because i was always around so could easily feed my baby without the 'double' job of pumping then feeding, it seemed a bit pointless. sounds like you have the right attitude which will take you far and help you to succeed with it. here in australia we have a lot of support for breastfeeding, when i was in hospital, the midwives helped me a lot and when i got home that continued. good luck

Answer 6

I worked full time and breastfed my daughter for 14 months. It's difficult at times, but well worth the hard work!

Every pump is not equal. If you are working, you will need a double pump, an electric one. The Medela Pump in style is probably the most popular, and works great for most women. If you're not working, then a manual pump or single pump should be okay, but you will get more output from the electric double.

As for storage containers, I found the Gerber Milk storage bags are great, and not too expensive. There are also some plastic storage containers that are great for keeping it in the fridge, but not great for freezing (Avent makes these) http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-3/qid=1168817412/ref=sr_1_3/601-6766193-2920929?ie=UTF8&asin=B000B6M1AA

Remember - you CAN do it, just keep working at it!

Answer 7

I breast fed for 15 months with my first, about 10 months with my second, and am still breast feeding our 5 month old. It depends on the baby what they want and how hungry they are. Although Medela electric breast pumps are great, they are really only necessary if you are going to work or school. I had one when I was in college. However, as a stay at home mom, I use an Avent hand pump, just for emergencies or going out. And although it will cost a bit more, using plastic bottles for storage is cheapest in the long run.

Answer 8

I applaud you for being determined to breast feed your baby for as long as you can! I am a breast feeding mom and I plan to breast feed for at least a year. Some pumps are better than others, I recomend a hospital grade electric pump. The best pump I've found is the Ameda Purley Yours pump, quite pricy but worth it. It has the strength of a hospital grade pump but is more affordable and portable. It also comes with a backpack, bottle bag with freezer packs and storage bottles. You can store breast milk in the freezer for up to 6 months and there are all types of containers for this, Playtex makes a good storage bag for their bottles that go into the freezer, but there are other brands as well.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Well, hands down, I love the Medela electric breast pump. I had the manual, and there is just something about pulling that pump that makes me whince just thinking about it.....

Check with your pediatritian. Mine sold me the pump at cost, not at a markup like retailers will. If you're not sure about buying one, your doctor will also be able to rent you hospital grade pumps that have been professionally sterilized.

The pumps all say not to buy used, but I am not sure why. All the parts that come in contact with breast milk are able to be taken apart and boiled......

I like the little plastic bags for freezer storage.

Good luck! I am also trying to breastfeed for the first time. It didn't go well with the first two kids, but I was also quite young, and was easily frustrated. It is still hard, and a little frustrating. I worry constantly that she isnt getting enough to eat....but it is well worth it!

Answer 10

All three of my kids have nursed well beyond one year. They have all been allowed to self wean.

Determination, information and support are important.

Get to a La Leche League meeting while you're still pregnant and meet the Leader so you'll be comfortable calling her with questions later if you need to do so.

Nurse, nurse, nurse and nurse some more. The more you nurse, the more milk you'll have. Don't be quick to supplement. Remember that it is NORMAL for them to lose some weight in the first week.

Check out the links below.

Answer 11

I nursed my first one until he was 15 months old. My second one just decided that she did not want to nurse anymore last week. I wanted to nurse her for a year but for some reason, she just doesn't want to, so I had to start bottle feeding her formula. She is 7 1/2 months old. I think you should try to breastfeed for as long as you can. It is the best thing for the baby. I am sad that my little girl does not want to nurse anymore. I hope everything works out for you. :)