What's wrong with this??

Question

I want to breast feed my baby until she is two, but some women in my family don't like that idea and they think it's rediculous. Why might they think that? I mean when you breast feed it helps shrink the uterus, it's way better for the baby, and it helps you lose weight...I don't have a problem doing it. And then when i ween her i put her on the sippy cup. Is there any health problems to the baby if you breast feed them until their 1 1/2 or 2 years. I would absolutley not go past 2.

I was thinking that when she hit around a year u would let her experience foods other than just milk. I am not talking about just letting her have nothing but milk until she is 2, thats not good either. Or even if i just put breast milk in a sippy cup and got her used to that. Im just wondering if it is healthier to let her have breast milk, when she is around that age??

Answer 1

I think it's sad that we have been so conditioned to think there is something wrong or strange with breastfeedin--especially with a baby over one year. In the rest of the world it is perfectly normal, as of course we are mammals and our body makes the perfect food for our babies. That's actually what our breasts are for people! Not pretty decoration.

People have some pretty messed up ideas about breastfeeding--eg. doctors misguiding Mothers that babies only need breastmilk until 6 months. There are many many benefits BEYOND 6 months!

It's your baby, your body, your decision. In Canada, our government recommends breastfeeding to 2 years and beyond.

Toddlers can be weaned easier, actually, because you can talk to them about it. I think you are amazing for wanting to give your baby the best.

Here is a good page with all kinds of resources and answers to those busy bodies who like to question your decision to give your baby the best.

http://www.llli.org/NB/NBextended.html

Answer 2

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with a baby breastfeeding until 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2... even older if you want. It provides comfort for the child.

For some reason, there are a lot of people in the U.S. who freak out about breastfeeding (especially extended breastfeeding,) but in other countries it's much more highly accepted.

My children nursed until the youngest was 2 (her older sister was still nursing before she went to sleep at night as well). They both wanted to - and would have probably continued. I got tired of it, so one night I just told them, "There's no more milk, you girls drank it all up!"

They were fine with that. There were no tears, no issues. It was easy. And they were already drinking water from sippy cups, so we never had to worry about bottles unless I was going to be away from them for an extended period of time.

As other posters have said, do what YOU feel is right. If people make negative comments, just say something like, "You can direct your negativity elsewhere. Her doctor is fine with breastfeeding at this age."

Answer 3

no, theires nothing wrong no health problems to the baby with breast feeding them till theire 2,
but by the time theire 2 they will have teeth, and it will hurt to breast feed, they are old enough at 2 they walk and talk some why should you still be brest feeding them,
your family is just concerned about your feelings, about what ppl will say in public when they see a 2 yr old still breast feeding,
they dont want you to be publicly humiliated.
but at 2 they should be on a sippy cup already they are to self dependant by two to still be breast feeding, when they get teeth and can hold a cup alone is when i would stop breast feeding.
i mean 2 is to old to still be covering up in public.
its gonna be hard on the child and you when you wait longer to stop, its gonna cause closeness seperation problems the sooner the better, if you want you can still pump but dont breast feed till shes 2 pump your milk and give it to her in a sippy cup or bottle.

Answer 4

You can breast feed for as long as the baby and you want to...however..you dont' want to be like that lady on Desperate Housewives with an 8 year old hanging off her chest...lol...

I think the older the kids are...the more it freaks people out.

This society seems to have issues with breastfeeding...

I think the health benefits over rule society's hang ups

I myself am breastfeeding my son and I plan to go as long as he lets us....I may however ween him from the breast (I'll just pump)sooner than later. He can still get the benefits from the milk without actually breastfeeding.

The only family you have to worry about is the immediate one that includes your baby...

You do what YOU think is best for you and your baby...the other women in the family...are entitled to their opinion...but it doesn't mean their opinions hold any value in regards to your decisions on how you plan to raise YOUR child.

My mother is baffled as to how I'm working full time and breastfeeding my son at all...so go figure...I love her...and she can express her opinions all she wants...but I'd never give my son any less because she thinks its "right".

Do what you think is right mamma...forget everyone elses two cents.

Answer 5

My personal rule is that if they are big enough to unbutton your shirt themselves they are too old to be breast feeding.

Don't listen to anyone other then your baby. You two are the only two that count when it comes to this.

Most women stop at 1 year, when they put the babies on solids. Many keep with one or two breast feeding sessions during the day for the health benefits. There are many, not to mention the emotional bond.

Stay on your babies side with this one, it really doesn't matter at all what any one thinks. Your child will only be a baby once, and you will regret making choices that had anything other then your childs best interest behind them.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

There is nothing at all wrong with nursing a child to that age in fact it is perfectly acceptable to nurse a child until they self wean. Also there are plenty of advantages to extended nursing including a immune boost that is received by breastfeeding children at the age of two. You family is reacting to there own preconcieved notions of what is "normal" in our breast obsessed society.

I only wonder why you will "absolutley not go past 2"?

Answer 8

Children in second and third world countries are breastfed much longer than American children because people in those other countries often don't have enough food to feed adults and children, is what my doctor told me. They don't have the availability of food and therefore, supplement their children's diets with breastmilk far longer than American children. As I understand it, a baby gets all the antibodies she will within the first six weeks of nursing and that breastmilk has less nutritional value for the child after one year of age. By four to six weeks after birth, your uterus shrinks back to its prepregnancy size. NOW, I breastfed. I did it for eight months. My son self-weaned. I would have nursed longer if he would have. SO, with that, I will say, you go right ahead and nurse as long as you want, but I would say that you should do a little nutritional research. You don't have to worry about what anyone else says about your nursing decision. Just don't ask for others' opinions and shake off negative comments about your decision. Good luck!

Answer 9

Yes breasfeeding is best and it does help your uterus shrink but your uterus will be back to it's regular size in a month of two. Breastfeeding after the first year is stricktly for the mother. After a year the baby has all the antibodies and such from you at that point your baby won't nurse that often so it's not going to help you continue to loose weight. Running after a toddler will help you loose weight.

Answer 10

Go for it. The fact is that the world health organization recommends breastfeeding until age 2 ( read the second paragraph on this link http://www.engenderhealth.org/wh/mch/pppcfeed.html)

I think it just makes most people squirm to think about breastfeeding a child who is old ebough to ask you to cut back on the garlic a bit.

The bottom line is you must do what you feel is best for your baby and yourself and forget about the rest of the world. If it makes your family uncomfortable, then just don't discuss it with them.

Good luck