I don't want to quit breastfeeding, but when should I?

Question

She is five years - just kidding, five months old. It is going so well, and she has started solids and likes them (this is going great too). Breast milk is so good for her, and not to mention cost effective. I don't want to quit, but when is it become odd?

Answer 1

Stop worrying!! You r doing the very best thing that u can do for her...i nursed all my babies until approx 18 mths by that time its mainly for soothing and the cuddle factor. BM is best for your baby and anyone who thinks its odd has personal issues as far as i know..what is more natural? we make babies and then our bodies make the perfect food for them..how cool is that?

Answer 2

Nurse for as long as *you* and *she* want to. You two are the only important ones in a breastfeeding relationship.

It's good to see that American thoughts on BFing are getting more generous. At least according to this board where most people seem willing to give you the benefit of the doubt until 18 to 24 months. When I started BF my first 12 years ago it wasn't that way. 6 to 12 months was way too long for most people back then.

As you know, in the 5 months you've been feeding already the schedule has changed a bit. It can and will change even more as you introduce solids and she has more foods to choose from. The number of feedings will slowly drop as more and more foods are eaten more often throughout the day.

But breastmilk is always nutritious no matter how old the child is. It makes a great supplement to other foods when you're worried about a busy toddler who doesn't seem to have time to do more than snack. If you're still breastfeeding you know your child is still getting a shot of nutrition that other kids don't get.

If you want to continue that long, don't worry about what others think. I BF my first for about 3 years when she weaned on her own so gradually that I didn't even realize it for a few weeks. My second BF until a month short of her 4th birthday. We kept nursing that long because it was what she needed both in nutrition and comfort during a very, very stressful time in her life. Remember, only you can decide what's best for your child.

Answer 3

You can safely continue for at least 24 months. The best way is to wean her away from breast milk by alternating feeds with baby formula and breast milk.

Next, try reducing the frequency of breast feeding till it ceases. But honestly, it's the best and no company will ever think of a recall (smile) as is common nowadays with almost everything. Other than being cost effective, breast milk is also the BEST since it is the most balanced and custom-made for your child, unlike formulas that are mass produced.

For your information- eskimos and some other communities breastfeed their children till five, six or more years. So, two years for your kid is fine. But limit alcohol and smoke, if you do, since toxins from these also enter breast milk.

Answer 4

A child normally weans between 2.5 and 3 years old. This is pretty well established historically as well as physically (you can tell by how the baby child's chin changes).

A lot of people with sexual hangups think a baby is too old to breastfeed when they are one. That is their problem, not yours. The women whom I know who did extended breastfeeding reported that public breastfeeding after age one is sometimes a hassle because of these jerks. They continued to do so, although while shopping, it was easier to give them a bottle due to lack of places to sit down and adequately support a toddler.

Answer 5

The average age for children weaning is much older in the rest of the world than in the US. In the US, people often have a very negative attitude about breastfeeding in general. Take some time to read about child led weaning, which means following your daughter's cues to figure out when she's ready to stop nursing. That doesn't mean she'll nurse as frequently at 14 months as she did at 5 months, or that she'll nurse more than first thing in the morning, and at bedtime when she's two, but that she'll let you know when she's ready to stop.

If you choose to go with parent-led weaning, then do it gently and slowly.

Answer 6

I breast fed my youngest until he was around 16 months old. I say stop when you feel you are ready. Though your baby may not give you that option and quit on it's own. Just don't let people get to you. There will always be someone who says you're wrong no matter when you quit.So as I say do what works best for you and baby.

Answer 7

I am still breastfeeding at 18 months but we are getting ready to start weaning. Her older sister was weaned at 14 mos but you always spoil your littlest one.
Pediatricians recommend that you keep at it for at least one year. Most americans will find it strange if it goes on for more than two years. The last statistics I read is that 3 is the worldwide average.

Answer 8

As long as you and your baby are both healthy, happy and enjoying your nursing relationship, then it is wonderful for you to keep nursing! It doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks if they aren't directly involved.

The AAP recommends 12 months as the minimum amount of time that a mother should nurse her child.

"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)

Answer 9

the closeness with your child is great, isn't it? I loved that part. I pumped breast milk to use later. you can freeze it for up to two years if necessary. there are a few parents who actually breast feed until the child is in kindergarten, but i think that is a little much. i would try to ween her from your breast at about a year and use breast milk in a bottle from there on as long as you want/can.

Answer 10

at least til a year old. after a year if YOU dont WANT to breastfeed her she will have cows milk so u dont have to deal with formula. but i breastfed my daughter til 18 months and u could go up to 2 years but after that, (even though i have nothing against it) it would be very troublesome i think and probably considered odd by others.