Nursing Mommies???

Question

How long did you nurse for and did you seek outside support? Like did you go to a hospital support group every week or did your mother/sisters/aunts/... give you all the support you needed?

I'm just really curious if the type and amount of support we get has any impact on length of a breastfeeding relationship. In my circle of friends and family it has. I'm the only one who reached outside for help, and I made it past the 6 month mark that no one else did. We made it to 18 months. Family/friends were of some support/information/encouragement especially in the beginning. But none seemed to really care if I went much longer.

Answer 1

i nursed my now 5 year old for over 2 years

currently nursing newborn and plan to until she decides she is done

my mother has overall been supportive and proud of me.....but with my first she was a bit shocked that i was still nursing over a year....she would make comments that my daughter was too old to be "doing that"....my mom comes from a generation that valued breastfeeding little.......but i didn't let her deter me and in fact i have educated her a lot on the value of nursing a toddler

lots of support from a breastfeeding cousin to whom i am very close and we went to La Leche League meetings sometimes

i am planning on attending a La Leche League meeting tommorrow for the first time in years

oh and my husband is very supportive

Answer 2

Breastfeeding is the most natural thing we as mothers have left! In a calm setting and with a calm mother (despite the possible fussy baby) most babies will latch on and feed when hungry without a problem. Mom's and babies have learned this simple act of nature together for as long as time exists. Find what is comfortable fo you and your baby and the rest will fall into place. Forget support groups.... unless you like that sort of attention and simply let nature run it's course.

My oldest was an eager nurser and I had absolutely no problems. My second was slower to latch on the first few days and he seemed very irritated by this, but simply taking a minute to soothe him with quiet words and rubbing his temple gently with my thumb did the trick. My youngest was also an eager nurser. All 3 were nursed until a year old when I weaned them straight to regular whole milk from a sippy cup.

Answer 3

With #1 I had no support and my husband at the time was nto interested. I only nursed her 4 1/2 months. She got teh flu and then I did so by that time neither of us was really interested and I was prety ready to just throw in teh towel.
With #2 I am still nursing at 14 months. My best friend, while not a BF mom herself has shown me TREMENDOUS support EVERY day. ZAnother dear friend has also been there-both long distance unfortunately- to answer questions and help me out a great deal as well. Support, whiel not necessary if you are a strong enough woman, is tremendously important. I owe these two a great debt for helping me to enable myself to do what I needed to do.
#3 is due the first week of December and I hope to ne able to tandem nurse although my toddler is really slackign off on his nursing on his ownm now.

Answer 4

Nursing your child is a life long bond. A healthy choice for your baby there are support groups to give you advice I nursed my child for 18 months. It's really hard to break them once they get older.Mommy has a Physical process to go through as well. While nursing I didn't have to deal with colic,diaper rashes ,teething and it makes a really smart child. Mine is on honor roll through out the year. Contact your local hospitals to get more info on nursing moms coaches.Remember the there are so many benefits from nursing for mom and child. Also remember to keep a good diet your baby lives off what you put into your body. best of luck.

Answer 5

I nursed my babies till three years old, all except my son who weaned just after 13 months old due to a number of different reasons.

I had plenty of support available if I needed it, my workplace was very breastfeeding friendly (a health clinic) and most of the women I was around were also long term breastfeeders. My mother and grandmother had breastfed, as had all of my female in laws.

Answer 6

My oldest I nursed for 35 months and tandum nursed for 8 months. My middle one weaned himself at 30 months when I was pregnant with #3. My baby girl weaned herself at 11 months. With my oldest, I attended a breastfeeding group every week at the local hospital. My family also supported me.

Answer 7

#1 no support, 2 months. #2 no support, 3 months. #3 had a WIC lactation consultant, baby wouldn't latch...pumped for 3 months then gave him formula.