How old is too old to breast feed a child?

Answer 1

I think... if they can walk up to you and "self-serve"... it too old.

Answer 2

There is so much variety with each child as to how long to breastfeed. I would recommend at least one year to 15 months if you can...some women cannot nurse that long and their milk supply is limited, but it really is the best nutrition your child can have. I totally don't agree with the other person that posted and said she only bottle fed her children and they all have PHD's and her friend's kids were all sick and they nursed, ect. Give me a break! Nursed kids are usually healthier because they are getting all the antibodies from the mother right after they are born--mother's breast milk is packed full of nutrients.

I have 6 children and have nursed all of them, however, none of them nursed the same amount of time as each other! The longest I ever nursed one of my children was for 2 years and 9 months! It was a wonderful bonding experiance and he was not ready to stop until then. My last baby I only nursed about 3 months because my milk supply was pretty low and it was very frustrating for him not to get enough so I had to supplement, and then it was just easier to give him the bottle instead of pumping several times a day to build up my supply.

So it totally varies---each child is unique and I don't believe there is any set age that is too old....except if they are entering Kindergarten, maybe then!

Answer 3

Breastfeed until you decide you want to stop. I cannot believe some of the awnsers you have been given. If you dont like that women breastfeed their babies fine. to each his own. Women have breasts. Some small, some big. Breasts are not just playthings for men/women, they have a purpose. to give a child the nourishment they need. It shouldnt matter whether the child nurses or drinks it from a bottle, a sippy cup, or for how long, it should matter that the mother is giving her baby the best. Check the links out, there are other benifits to breastfeeding a baby, possible lower risk of breast cancer? Uhoh, my 15 month olds awake, nursing time!

Answer 4

I breast fed my first till just after she turned two. My second I hope to wean soon, just before her second birthday.
I will tell you that you get a lot of grief after 1 year even though the doctors are really for you going on well into the second and third year if possible. My father used the first tooth, talking, walking deadlines to push me towards weaning.
I have to admit my older daughter not only asked for nursing, she would tell me that there were two and that they were circles. lol.
I think the 3-6 year olds may have more difficulty if their friends know. I wouldn't want to make my kids face the grief I got from friends and family. For my girls I was strong enough to tough it out until it was the right time for my family.

Answer 5

Myself and many others have nursed through 4 years. I've known some that have nursed to 6. I personally wouldn't have been comfortable with that, but that's me.
At that age (older than 1 yr), they typically only nurse when they've been hurt or cranky and exhausted...or at bedtime. It's nothing like the constant nursing they need for nutrition through that first year. :o)

You nurse until you feel it's time to wean. I simply felt it was time. Another of mine chose to wean herself at 10 months....

Whatever you do... don't listen to what anyone else feels is "best".... It's entirely up to you and what YOU and YOUR CHILD feel is best.

Oh...and I HAVE been bitten... You can stop that with a sharp "NO" and remove the baby from the breast. They learn pretty quickly to stop that.

Answer 6

That depends on the child and the parent. If the parent is comfortable with nursing an older child, and the child is still willing then go right ahead. Most mothers stop after the child gets a few teeth and starts to bite.

Answer 7

the American pediatric association recommends that you nurse for the first 12 months and as long after wards at it is mutually desirable. I think up to about age 2 and a half would be best but that's my opinion. people used to breastfeed for the first 4 years. Breast feed as long as you and your baby are comfortable with it!

Answer 8

http://www.martindir.com/vid/wttf.wmv Haha!

But really, all the health organizations in the world recommend breastfeeding for at LEAST the first two years, and it's silly to argue against them when there are proven benefits to nursing that long and beyond.

If you wean before the first birthday, you have to substitute with Artificial Breast Milk (formula), which we already know is inferior to breast milk. Why would you want to take away the best food source to substitute it with something that not only costs more but is also clearly inferior?

If you wean before the second birthday, you are supposed to push cow's milk on your kid. Cow's milk, which is essentially breastmilk from cows, is loaded with vitamins (like human milk) but still only a substitute for human milk. Cow milk is also composed differently than human milk so that baby cows can have strong bones to be able to run from predators. Human milk has a higher fat content to make brains for baby humans. Hence, fast cows and smart humans. So again, why offer breastmilk from another species if you are still able to provide the best for your child?

After the second birthday, child-led weaning has been proven to be the least traumatic and most nurturing way to wean.

If you were referring to the mother, I'd guess after menopause, but don't quote me on that -- even adoptive mothers who have never been pregnant are able to induce lactation, so it may even be possible for post-menopausal woman to breastfeed.

Answer 9

OK first of all, if you have never breastfed a child you really shouldn't bother answering this question. Before i had children, i would have told you 6 months to a year is what a woman "should" breastfeed for. Now , as a mom of 3, i know just how ignorant that was. Firstly, the American academy of pediatrics recommends that ALL children be breastfed for a MINIMUM of two full years. This is to provide the best benefits for the child.. and let me tell you, breastfeeding isn't just about food-- its a bonding experience with your child, and it gives them security. When you are breastfeeding, its not like one day your kid turns a year old and it suddenly becomes "weird", that's ridiculous! A one year old child is still very much an infant.. even at two they rely on you for virtually all of their needs, they aren't usually potty trained, they cant usually dress themselves, etc. I'm just saying, that is your child, your baby, breastfeeding never becomes "weird" to you. Most children will self wean before preschool age, or at least lose a lot of interest in it.

and saying a child should quit then they have teeth is preposterous! my daughter got her first teeth at 4 months old! Breastfed babies who are breastfeeding properly do NOT bite you with their teeth.. if they do at first b/c they are not used to it, they can be easily trained not to bite.

Answer 10

Globably 4 years old is the avg. age to stop breastfeeding; however most women in the U.S. stop after the child reaches 1 years old. Personally for me its after they have teeth! lol I think its great to breastfeed, but even I get uncomfortable seeing a mom breastfeed a child who is able to ask for it.

Answer 11

According to the American Pediatric Association children should be breastfed for AT LEAST one year and for as long as is mutually desireable.

The World Health Organization says AT LEAST TWO YEARS.

The worldwide average age of weaning is 4.2 and that includes North America and Europe.

Nursing a toddler has PROVEN benefits.

Lactase levels (the enzyme that digests milk) do not BEGIN to decrease until age 2-4 indicating that toddler's are meant to be consuming a large quantity of milk.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html
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
[see details at link]

Extended breastfeeding: Are there still health benefits?
http://parenting.ivillage.com/tp/tpweaning/0,,3x5j,00.htm

http://www.kellymom.com/newman/21bf_toddler.html
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