How long did you breastfeed?

Question

I nursed my first for 2 years.

Baby number two is still nursing... but I don't think I wanna go that long.

Answer 1

I am just curious as to why you don't want to go that long with baby number 2? I nursed my son for 3 years and my daughter, who is 2, is still nursing. I will let her as long as she wants to. It was wrong of Kay Kay to tell you that two years is too long. Who is she to say that? Only people who have experienced extended breastfeeding can really speak intelligently about it. I would not try to advise a mother on bottle feeding because I never did it. I also disagree with the answerer who said you need to get your baby on whole cow's milk. Now I don't have a problem with cow's milk. I give it to my kids. But why would you want to stop giving your baby your own human milk just to give it milk from another animal? That seems silly!

You should do whatever you feel comfortable with. But please know that there is nothing wrong with nursing for as long as you want to nurse. It is good for both you and your baby!

Answer 2

I nursed my baby until she was about 6 months old. She started having some solids at 5 months because she seemed so hungry and then I started using formula a little while before I was due to go back to work as I knew I wouldn't have the energy to pump at work!

I have a freind who's still nursing her 18 mo old baby and another who quit around 4 or 5 months.

Answer 3

Daaaaaang you must be a stay at home mom to do it that long... and if you dont' wanna go that long that is fine. I think they say the cut off is like sometime between 2 and 3. It's time to be giving that toddler some whole cow milk. And you don't have to go that long if you don't want to. But back to me, I did it for two months, because I am a busy woman and I didn't realize if I fell back on pumping the milk would decrease so I did it as much as my boobs would let me and she was on formula and she was just fine. She didn't get her first cold until she was after 1 and I think I did excellent.

Answer 4

Nursing at least 2 years is the best thing you can do for your child. The World Health Organization suggests that you go at least that long. I know it can be hard with growth spurts, and teeth, but it really is best and remember it is NORMAL.

Now if you really need to/want to stop don't feel like a failure or like you are hurting your child. You aren't, we all do the best we can. But it would be great if you could go that long again. Maybe you could partially wean and that would help you? Is there a particular time that you don't like nursing?

Answer 5

I totally disagree with Kaykay.

There have been studies that say it is best for the child to feed up to 2 years of age.
I think it depends on the child.

My daughter turned 2 this month and I am still breast feeding her.
She got sick for the first time in her life this week. My doctor told me that my breast feeding her for so long has helped keep her immune system up to date. (When I get sick, she doesn't.... we spend all day together and when I am exhausted, she naps in my bed with me in the afternoon... she should have been sick before now but she has been getting my antibodies through the brest milk).

My mother told me that I refused to eat anything solid until I was 22 months.... she tried and tried, but I refused to eat. Then one day I saw her eating a chocolate bavarian cheesecake, tried it, and never touched breast milk again.
My brother on the other hand only fed for 2 months. His choice.

It depends on the child... within reason of course.
I am getting my daughter of the breast milk now as she has sharp little teeth and I can't cope when she chomps down if something frightens her while she is feeding (doesn't happen often, but once is more than enough!).

Do what you feel is right for you and your child.

Every mother seems to think she knows best and that her way is the only way. I have learnt to listen to my gut and do what is most comfortable for me....

Everyone can have their opinion but it doesn't mean that you have to take it on.

Answer 6

I was only able to breast feed through about 8 weeks and most of that was pumped and mixed with formula 1/2 and 1/2.... My son used nesless good start with ARA/DHA (or whatever it is) when I had to stop and he's just as healthy as any other kid.