I'm in the asking mood..!?

Question

Are there any moms out there that support extended breastfeeding and attachment parenting? Sometimes I get the feeling I'm with the minority on this issue. Some support would be great. My daughter is 16.............just kidding, she's 16 months old. She eats everything and all meals. I pretty much still let her nurse whenever still. I do this until about 18 months old when my kids start mommy and me classes. Nothing negative please, I'm a little discouraged by the lack of support on my last question which by the way was about temper tantrums, not breastfeeding. For some reason people were focusing on that.

Answer 1

You aren't the only one, just those of us who breastfeed and attachment parent seem less likely to need to scream about it. You just continue breastfeeding because a) nothing magically changes when your baby reaches a certain age and b) its healthier for mom and baby.

Even the American Academy of Family Physicians says so!

Anyway I am still breastfeeding my 17 month old, and I am 5 months pregnant *lol*

PS no she *shouldn't* be sleeping though the night. Only about half of all babies do before 24 months, and night nursing is biologically normal until age 3-4.

Studies on normal infant sleep
http://kellymom.com/parenting/sleep/sleepstudies.html

Answer 2

I would have personally breastfeed for as long as my kids wanted to. Alas my oldest totally weaned himself (from breast and bottle) at about 9 months, while my youngest went about 11 before he didn't want a part of it anymore. They are both very independent boys so that may have been more of it.

I find it very commendable for you to be able to be available for them in that way :) Both of my children I started working again about 4 months after they were born, even if only for 25 hrs a week.

When I decided to breastfeed my oldest, I remember being told and or reading that kids will still get great benefits from it no matter what their age! I was 17 with my oldest, and the woman I rented my pump from was still nursing an almost 24 month old! I will always remember her advise and dedication after seeing that and knowing she had done the same for 7 other kids!

Answer 3

I'm jealous! I had to stop at 4 months because of health issues. One of our playmates is still nursed - and he's turned 3. I know a mom of twins who was still nursing after her girls turned 2. Don't let the lack of support get you too down - if you can do it, and you both enjoy it, then just do it. Though I think I'd try and stop before she does turn 16 :0)

Answer 4

I guess it's whatever floats your boat, personally I stopped at 9 months when my son started to bite me and laugh, I was also starting to babysit out of my home. My sister in law nursed until the kids were 1 I think. I am sorry people are being rude about your decisions, just remember everyone has an opinion, some are good others are not so much.

Answer 5

Nursing until 18 months is great if you can do it. I nursed my twins until 6 months and just dried up because I was just too busy and not getting any sleep -- that sort of thing. I had to stop at 3 mo with my boy because I went back to work. In both cases I wished I could have continued. It is so good for both mom and baby.

Answer 6

I support you 100% I have a daughter that i was only able to breastfeed until she was 3 months because i had to go back to work and it was so hard on me. There are so many studies saying that babies are better off the longer you breastfeed, smarter, healthier, they dont get sick as often, a stronger bond between you and your baby. Plus theres the benifits for you, you lose weight faster and easier, your happier and it can even reduce the risk of cervical cancer. I admire you for being able to last for so long and to not listen to the people who tell you otherwise. You are giving your child the best possible start on life :)

Answer 7

My first daughter self weened at 10 months, but my second was still going strong through to 16 months. I am a stay at home Mom, so it wasn't a challenge. In fact, it made things a little easier. I recieved lots of praise from friends and family, but was surprised when our pediatrician told me I should stop (at one year) because she was no longer getting anything from it. Ouch!!! We have since switched doctors. I think I would be uncomfortable breastfeeding a child who is talking or pulling at my shirt, but 18 months...I think it's great.

Answer 8

HAPPY WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK!!

I think it's great. Keep on going as long as you can!! My goal was to make it to the year, we ended up going to 18 months. We got sick, and her throat hurt so bad she stoped sucking on everything - breast, bottle, sippy, THUMB.... the thumb part is what led me to not try to get her back on the breast once we were better, I figured 18 months was plenty and I was afraid if we got back into sucking thumbs we'd have to pay for some pretty expensive orthodontia!

I know many who extend breastfeeding- some well beyond the first year. You're not a minority in my world!! But if you live in the US, you're a minority in the public world for sure... maybe someday that will change.

Good luck to you :)

Answer 9

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Answer 10

Have you tried La Leche League meetings? I've met moms there who didn't find anything unusual about nursing a child who is three or older. (I weaned my son two weeks before he turned three because we needed the milk for his younger sister.) I found that most, though not all, of the LLL moms were way into attachment parenting.