Breastfeeding beyond the first birthday?

Question

I'm curious to know if anyone breastfed beyond their child's first birthday. My son's doctor told me today that now that he is 1 year old I "should starting the weaning process now." I'm thinking about continuing... but everyone that I talk to seems to be of the consensus that it's time I wean my 1 year old son. My mother even said that she agrees with the doctor. Is there little or no reason to breast feed beyond the first year?? Thanks.

Answer 1

Good for you for questioning your doctor's poor judgement! My son is 13 months old and still happily nursing. At his 12-month appointment, my doctor told me to start giving him cow's milk. You've already been given a million EXCELLENT reasons to continue breastfeeding, so I won't list them here, but I will stress what others have stressed to me when my doctor gave me such poor advice. You should seriously consider 1) printing out some information about extended breastfeeding and sending it to your doctor, 2) switching doctors, and 3) possibly even reporting your doctor to the AMA or the AAP. It is absurd that your doctor would even suggest that you start weaning at a year unless you had expressed some sort of desire to do so. Many doctors read the reports from the American Academy of Pediatrics wrong. It says that babies should breastfeed exclusively for AT LEAST six months (NOT that they must start solids at 6 months of age -- you can go much longer and it is in fact beneficial to do so). It also says that breastfeeding should be continued for AT LEAST one year, not that they should breastfeed for ONLY one year. One year is the bare MINIMUM that the AAP suggests, and several other health organizations (such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF) urge mothers to nurse at least until two years of age. If you can't trust your doctor to be educated about breastfeeding, what else is s/he uneducated about?? Seriously, you should look around (ask other breastfeeding mothers in the area, try LLL) for a recommendation, because you will be stuck with this doctor for as long as you live in that area. By the way, breastfeeding babies do NOT need cow's milk, either (in case your doctor told you that). Your baby already has the best milk possible and there is no reason to extract breastmilk from a different species to provide it for your already well-nourished baby. Good luck to you and your baby!!

Answer 2

I cannot believe that your doctor said that. There is no reason to wean now. You started the weaning process the first time you gave the baby "baby food". Eventually the baby will wean by his self. You may need to give some gentle guidence but 12 months is too young to worry about it.

My daughter started eating more and I gave her cow's milk in a sippy cup and she started nursing less and less. The before bed one was harder to give up because that was more about love than food and the first one off the morning was hardest for her because she wanted me that close to her after all those long hours of sleeping by herself. However, she started skipping one or the other and then one day I went to bed and realized that she hadn't nursed at all. That wasn't the last time that she ever nursed but 2 days would go by and then she would nurse 1 time and then a couple more days etc ... until it was done.

It was very natural and easy. No she wasn't 5 years old either. Matter of fact she was under 2.

The reason to breast feed beyond the first year is that your son nurses for comfort and affection as well as food and you don't want to wean him from that comfort. You can actively comfort him and hold him close during the day without nursing and that will take over for your special nursing time and he will phase out the nursing in exchange for different cuddles to fill his need for closeness.

Honestly, I am not as granola as this makes me sound. It just sounds like you are being pushed to stop. If you said by son is 1 yr old and doesn't need to nurse for food anymore how can I lovingly wean him my answer would be totally different. But, go with your instincts (and consider changing doctors so you and your sons pediatrician on the same page. He should be your allie not an advisary) and nurse your son as long as it is working for both of you.

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBweaning.html

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t026400.asp

I like Dr. Sears better than La Leche League but both are good sites as long as you don't leave your instincts at the door. You have to filter all the information because only you know your baby and you have to use your good judgement.

Good Luck

Answer 3

In most cultures it's totally normal for people to breastfeed their kids for at least two years. There are health benefits to breastfeeding up to two years. The rate for diabetes, allergies, obesity and many other issues drop further if breastfeeding is continued to two years. The mother/child bond alone is enough to get a vote for the continuation of this wonderful and natural nourishment. The weaning wil even be easier by two, because the child is eating many other things by then and won't feel abandoned by the weaning.
Good for you to ask, but even any answeres here are uncomfortable with extended breastfeeding, it doesn't mean it's not right. You sound like a devoted and awesome mom to want to do something so special for your child. When your child goes right through those math problems due to an increased IQ from being breastfed for two years, you'll know it was the right decision. Don't go by other people's timeline, it's your child and your body. I vote for another year.
(ps i had to stop at 18 months due to medication and have cherished those months like no other memories)

Answer 4

The current recommendationss from major health organizations are to extend breastfeeding beyond a year, most nowrecommendd nursing until 2 years of age. This is because the benefits ofbreast milkk and nursing continue far beyond what north american society views as "normal". The milk you produce for your child changes as your child grows and develops, unlike formula or cows milk. continued nursing will mean that your child will get exactly the nutrition he needs from milk. Keep up the good work! you are doing a great job!

Answer 5

Go with your instinct. For most of us that means continuing the nursing experience. Don't let our prudish/perverted society put pressure on you to stop this enjoyable time of your life. My daughter is almost 18 months and still nursing 10 or more times a day. Believe me, soon your son will start having a stronger opinion and tantrums...breastfeeding is a great way to quell the little beast within. It also helps all the bumps and falls that kids start taking at this age. I plan on letting my little one wean herself when she's ready....and if that's what you want to do then go for it too!!

Answer 6

My son is 15 months old and I still breastfeed him at night before bed, at night when he wakes up, and if he is sick or really fussy. I feed him regular baby food throughout the day and for dinner. I will nurse him at least until he is 2 yrs old, maybe a little longer depending on him. I read somewhere that if you breastfeed at least 2 yrs you reduce your risk for breast cancer. There are tons of benefits for you and the baby with breastfeeding. I know that my son has a secure feeling that only breastfead babies can have. I hope this helped!

Answer 7

Ugh, the pressures of society.....
I believe that you should do what you feel is right for you and your baby. I breastfed my son until he was 16 months old and only weaned him because I was pregnant with my daughter. I still breastfeed my daughter who is now 2-1/2. Although we only do it in private, once a day at home, it brings her a lot of comfort and closeness to me. My mother has made comments too, but I am the kind of person who doesn't really care what other people think or say.

You should ask your doctor why he thinks you should begin to wean and then decide if the reasons are valid in your opinion. Breastfeeding beyond the first year still had a lot of advantages.

Here are a few reasons taken directly from http://www.geocities.com/heartland/plains/7503/BF1YR.HTML

What Research Shows. Research shows that babies may benefit from nursing beyond one year. One benefit is nutrition. Research has shown that second-year milk is very similar to the first-year milk nutritionally (Victora, 1984). Even after two years or more it continues to be a valuable source of protein, fat, calcium, and vitamins (Jelliffe and Jelliffe, 1978).

A second benefit is immunity to disease. The immunities in breast milk have been shown to increase in concentration as the baby gets older and nurses less, so older babies still receive lots of immune factors (Goldman et al, 1983). A study from Bangladesh provides a dramatic demon- stration of the effect these immunities can have. In this deprived environment, it was found that weaning children eighteen to thirty-six months old doubled their risk of death (Briend et al, 1988). This effect was attributed mostly to breast milk's immune factors, although nutrition was probably important as well. Of course in developed countries weaning is not a matter or life and death, but continued breastfeeding may mean fewer trips to the doctor's office.

A third health benefit is avoidance of allergies. It is well documented that the later that cow's milk and other common allergens are introduced into the diet of a baby, the less likelihood there is of allergic reactions (Savilahti, 1987).


Psychological Considerations. Any mother who has nursed an older baby knows the tenderness and feelings of closeness generated by nursing a little one who is old enough to talk about it. We don't need medical journals to tell us it's rewarding for mother and baby.

If you decide to continue, look for support groups in your area...there are a lot of them around. A lot of people breastfeed beyond the first birthday and I cannot think of any medical reason or other reason not to do so.

Answer 8

I breastfeed both my children past their first year. It still has all the benefits it always did whether they are newborns or 2yrs old.
If you want to continue breastfeeding than do it. It is still beneficial for your child.
I found it a great help during the fussy eating phase. You get so concerned that they arent eating enough or getting enough iron or whatever, but if they still breastfed you know that they are. As the breastmilk produces all the vitamins and nutrients they need plus they are getting it from food as well.
I can not believe your Dr told you to stop, that is ridiculus.
Dont listen to poeple that tell you there is no benefit from breastfeeding after the first year they are full of crap. If it wasnt neccesary than we would automatically stop producing ilk once they hit 1 yr old.
Do what is best for you and your child. And good on you for wanting to continue, not enough women do it these days.

Answer 9

NO! There are a TON of reasons to continue to breastfeed beyond a year. Bonding, continued immunity, and it provides at least 1/3 of your child's nutrition through their second year of life. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for AT LEAST 2 years, if not beyond.

There is a great support messageboard on IVillage where you can ask all kinds of breastfeeding questions. The women there are great and have TONS of information.
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppbreastfeed

Best of luck to you! Keep breastfeeding if you feel that's what is best for YOU and your son.

~Kim
nursing a 9 month old and plan on nursing for at least 6 more months.

Answer 10

I know that there are a lot of women who breastfeed past the first year. It is VERY healthy for you and your baby. But the hard part is, the longer you wait to wean the harder it will be. It is totally 100% your choice. Good luck on your decision!