Moms who breastfed for more than one year...?

Question

How did others react to your decision? Not strangers, but family, friends, your pediatrician, etc? My daughter is almost 4 months and I plan to breastfeed her past the 12 month mark, and just mentioning it to some people has led to some awkward moments. Hubby has come around to the idea, but some other people I have mentioned it to acted like I'm crazy. My aunt (who is a nurse, for goodness' sake!) got very weird when it came up, and was very firm on the fact that she thinks I should stop at 12 months. I'm just wondering how other moms handled the negative reactions!

Answer 1

Your aunt should know that the World Health Organization recommends women breastfeed for at least two years, then for as long as the mother/child wants to. But, sadly, medical professionals are lacking in accurate breastfeeding information. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a year because if they recommended longer, the formula companies would give them hell about it. The AAP receives 30% of their funding from formula companies.

I breastfed my son until he was 3 1/2 years old. He still asks for a sip now and then when I am nursing his baby brother. I did child led weaning with my first and I will do that with my second too. When family members would ask when I was going to stop nursing him, I would say "When he is full". Or "Why? Are you hungry?" Other times I would inundate them with statistics and research that supported extended breastfeeding. They eventually stopped asking. It's really none of their business anyways.

*edit* The person that answered that "after the first year the health benefits are not that great" has obviously not done any research on extended breastfeeding. It is also not an "attachment" issue. I guess every other mother not in in the U.S. has attachment issues. God forbid you be attached to your baby.

Answer 2

Well people don't know very much about it probably. The fact is that it's best to breastfeed at least 12 months, and longer if both baby and mom are willing. I stopped when my daughter was 13 months, but would have continued for a few more months of she wanted to.

Answer 3

My daughter is 11 months now and I plan to breastfeed for a while after she turns one year. I see that your little one is indeed a little one, so I just want to encourage you that you will know what your baby needs when you get there. Cows milk can be started at a year, but is typically used only if you are trying to ween your baby. If s/he is still interested in nursing, there's no need for the cows milk. My daughter loves juice, though, so I do give her about 2oz of juice watered down with about 1oz of water at this point, but am careful that she doesn't choose juice over nursing. So yes, I would say that I breastfeed on demand. I am still trying to figure it out myself (it's a learning process the WHOLE way!), because sometimes she acts as if she would like to nurse, but then changes her mind as soon as I offer the breast. You will learn your baby's cues as well. Let your baby tell you what s/he wants! Best wishes to you and your little one!

Answer 4

Most of my friends breast fed past a year and the ones that didn't had breast fed but still supported my decision. My family it depended. My husband was fine with it. My parents and my in-laws were fine with it. But my sister hated it past the 3rd month. She was very vocal about it too. The kicker is that she was single and even now that's married swears that she will never breast feed her kids because it's just "gross and wrong". (her words exactly) I just told her that it was my child and I didn't care what her opinions were on the subject, if she didn't like then she could stuff it. But that's the kind of relationship we have. I don't typically handle negative comments well. But in this matter I didn't care. I was doing what was best for me and my children and I just let those comments go in one ear and out the other.

Answer 5

Unfortunately, not many people understand why toddlers should continue to breastfeed.

My son who is 20 months, loves to nurse and it seems most of my family and many of my friends just do not understand why on earth I continue to breastfeed him. I am not even sure if my sons pediatrician knows that he continues to nurse, she stopped asking when he turned 15 months.

The way that I handle it, is that I usually do not even mention it unless someone else says something. My son nurses only at home and only around me and his father, so quite frankly it is no one's business. But if it is brought up, I state that my son is happy and healthy and that is what matters.

If someone is really intrusive and just continues to persist that I should wean, I list health benefits of continued nursing such as breast milk has a higher fat content than whole milk and that is so important for a child under 2 for brain growth and development. I may also add, did you know that some vitamins for kids have DHA and ARA added to them? And then quickly answer, because I am breastfeeding my son he is already getting DHA and ARA and a higher concentration than what is in the vitamin. What a child absorbs from a vitamin will never be as high as what is in food or breast milk. Or you can say, you know how toddlers have days where they really do not want to eat? well at least if I nurse my child I can rest assured that my child is getting fat, carbs and protein in her diet. Can you say the same?

One of the biggest misconceptions about extended breastfeeding is that some people think that their are attachment issues with either the mother or the child. Most breastfed toddlers are very happy and secure and seem to be as independent if not more independent in some ways than their non-breastfed peers.

Passing research about the benefits of extended breastfeeding and legitimate internet sources about extended breastfeeding may also help others understand your personal decision.

If all else fails, just grin and ignore it and don't worry about what they may think. In the end it is your personal decision.

I wish you luck with you and your daughter. You sound like a wonderful mother.

Answer 6

The WHO recommends breastfeeding till 2 so don't let anyone discourage you. I'm breastfeeding a 3 month old but my sister in law is breastfeeding a 16 month old. Our family's been good with it. The nice thing about breastfeeding a older baby is its more private because they can get nutrition from other sources if your out in public (then you don't have to be subject to strangers and their opinions). I think its a great idea to breastfeed young toddlers. Our western society is backwards sometimes. My sister in law is vocal to others when they criticize her and lets them know its for her baby and they'll wean when her daughter is ready.

Answer 7

my family in some ways was wierded out and surprised by it.....they have never seen a toddler still breastfeeding and would make completely uneducated remarkes about it

my mother was proud and supportive of me breastfeeding my older daughter.....until she got to be around a year old....then she was like "she's too old for that"

when my daughter was still an infant my brother would rant on about kids "too old to breastfeed is so disgusting and wrong and bla bla bla"

i just continued on and ignored them/gave some facts.....they came around when they saw how wonderful my daughter turned out to be....how independent and well-adjusted she is as opposed to the whiney,clingy kid that Americans some how invision children who are allowed to nurse and co-sleep

i am very strong willed and i am not easily deterred.....i knew what i was doing, i went with my motherly instinct and i haven't regretted a second of it

good luck

Answer 8

No one really cares that I BF DS1 past 12 months. He still does today at almost 36 months but that is partly due to he is highly allergic to dairy (I have had to cut it out of my diet also).

I plan on BF DS2 as long as he likes. At 10.5 months BM is still almost all of his diet. He is not big into solid foods (less than 1/4 cup a day) and he is a healthy happy 26 lber.

Answer 9

my family was very supportive, I never heard a word of dissent. it help that we are all well educated and know what is best for a baby, and don't follow old wives tales!!!

I breast fed until 22 months, plan to do the same with the baby I am expecting.

Answer 10

Nobody would dare question my decision to let my children self wean. They know i am a mamabear who has done her research!-)