I've been Breastfeeding for 15 months..Need to quit but how?

Question

Hey everyone,

I've been breastfeeding my daughter for 15 months now and my mom told me I should quit. She love to eat so she not hungry but still wants me to breastfeed her. She can't fall asleep with out me feeding her. I didn't think there is much to help her grow. And my hair is still falling out! I lose about 1/3-1/2 of my hair already. Please is there any tips to quit? And is my hair ever going to grow back and when?

Thanks!
-Chu

Answer 1

You don't need to quit, it's still very healthy and appropriate for your daughter to have your breastmilk. Falling asleep to the breast is natural, and much more gentle for both you and baby than crying it out, and healthier than falling asleep with a bottle in the mouth. If she's still feeding 6-8 times a day, then there is plenty of milk there for her, if not well she's getting the comfort and security and love that she is seeking so she's happy, you should be too. She's also getting your immunity still, which is keeping her healthier. Breastfeeding doesn't make your hair grow out (if it did, I'd be bald, I've been breastfeeding non stop for 11 years).

The WHO (world health organisation) recommends that babies be breastfed for a minimum of 2 years, so you've still got plenty of time to go. Enjoy your breastfeeding experience with your baby, and don't seek to end it too early...let her wean herself...eventually they all do, when they are ready.

As the first poster said, go to www.kellymom.com to read a few articles, then if your mum hassles you again to quit and you don't want to, you can tell her exactly why it is so good to still be breastfeeding at this age.

Answer 2

I feel there are plenty of explanations that individuals have already mentioned - returning to paintings, issues breastfeeding that might no longer be triumph over and many others. Some individuals produce other babies and consider that at the same time they're breastfeeding they can't provide their different kids as so much concentration. Like Pippin mentioned, there are such a large amount of who're uneducated approximately it. I actually feel that there might be a better breastfeeding good fortune fee if individuals have been ready for the way difficult it may be for a few individuals and have been taught the specified advantages of it along the feasible hurdles that possibly confronted. That approach they might be ready and probably would not stop on the first signal of a situation. I could not breastfeed and I hate pronouncing that on right here since I consider that nobody believes me. I comprehend it most effective occurs to a small quantity of females but it surely did occur to me. I attempted for per week, had aid from a lactation advisor (despite the fact that there are rarely any in my field) and attempted the whole lot. He used to be consistently unsatisfied, jaundice used to be getting worse, misplaced an excessive amount of weight, NO rainy nappies and many others and many others. Should I have attempted for longer? No, he might have more commonly ended up in medical institution if I attempted for for much longer. I attempted pumping however obtained just a quarter to a part an oz. (if I used to be fortunate) pumping all sides 15 minutes every. I could not preserve up a pumping and feeding time table with a tender little one to guard, a minimum of no longer whilst I used to be pumping goodbye for any such small quantity. When I could not breastfeed I used to be so disenchanted. I trust Leah that individuals who get protective over those questions will not be one hundred% relaxed with their resolution to not breastfeed and maybe consider they get it rubbed of their faces. I did reply a an identical query to this in a protective approach which I now remorse however on the time I felt so disenchanted and ashamed that I might no longer provide my little one the pleasant begin that I simply took the query the improper approach (on no account went so far as calling anybody a bf nazi although and the asker used to be instead condescending within the nature in their query). Heck, whilst I used to be pregnant I even questioned myself why anybody might no longer breastfeed - it is inexpensive, less difficult and many others. Breastfeeding comes so evidently to a couple individuals that they can not look to understnd the significant issues others stumble upon. Now I am relaxed in the truth that I recognise I attempted and recognise that I did the pleasant in switching to formulation and I can recognize once more why individuals are curious as so used to be I.

Answer 3

First, let me just say that you're awesome for breastfeeding your little girl for 15 months and counting!

I'm also a breastfeeding mom. I still nurse my 19 month old son. So, I understand where you're coming from. For the past several months I have been going back and forth on whether or not I should wean him or let him self wean when he is ready. It's not always an easy decision. Plus, it doesn't help that everyone in my extended family thinks I'm weird for nursing this long and keep recommending I wean my son.

My son is the same way your daughter is. He likes to nurse to sleep and I completely understand how exhausting and annoying that can be at times! This is the main reason why I debate weaning. But, when it comes down to it I also think about how healthy he is and how convenient nursing makes my life with him at times. Like when he's got a boo-boo or is cranky, etc. It's a priceless advantage! :o) You know what I'm talking about, no doubt.

For now I'm hanging it there. You do what's best for you and your daughter. It sounds to me like you're a phenomenal mama and you have her best interests at heart. Remember to continue to listen to your own intuition, not everyone else's opinions (including your mom's).

And if it makes you feel any better my hair also falls out a lot but it's getting better now.

Best wishes!!

Answer 4

Weaning your daughter is your decision not your moms. I would talk to your doc about the hair loss. Nursing moms should take a multi vitamin this might help. I know right now it seems as if she will never stop however they are only young once and this to shall pass. She may not need to nurse but she does still benefit both emotionally and with the nutrients only a mom can provide. It is possible to slowly wean her one feeding at a time. At this age babies can usually be distracted if it is a bad time to nurse. When she is weaning your baby will need something else to comfort her. Remember nursing has offered most of her security.Congrats to you nursing this long and I hope whatever you decide both you and your baby are supported by friends and family good luck

Answer 5

I started to wean my daughter off of breastfeeding at 15 months also. I started giving her more sippy cups and other drinks with her meals that she enjoyed more. I only breastfed when she was hurt, sick, or needed to fall asleep up until about 17 months. It is only a comfort thing, as you know. I would rock her to sleep, singing to her, instead of breastfeeding her to sleep. When she wanted me and I was trying to wean her, I would put juice in a bottle or sippy and hold and cuddle her while she drank so she still had the closeness but not my breast. I loved breastfeeding but my daughter sort of lost interest on her own. I didn't force her to stop but I helped her stop. It was very peaceful and natural, and I'm pleased how it ended. I'm 8 weeks pregnant and can't wait to breastfeed again. I never lost my hair like you (I have a ton), but I also took prenatal pills when I breastfed and I drink tons of milk (nonfat) because I love it. Good luck!

Answer 6

Don't listen to your mom. Why do you have to quit? Because others think it's been too long for your baby? Are you gonna give her COW's milk? She isn't a baby cow!!! My daughter is 17months and still breastfeeds. Your daughter will wean herself. And as far as your hair goes, eat healthier. Losing hair isn't from breastfeeding-you'd be bald by now if that were the case. Try a multivitamin-they are for pregnant AND lactating women.

Answer 7

If you don't want to quit, DON'T. They're only little for so long.

I nursed my first until he weaned himself at 29 months. There IS a lot to help her grow: your milk gets more concentrated after the first 12 months in nutrition, good fats, and proteins that build her brain. Nursing toddlers are sick less, have fewer allergies, and still get your antibodies. Scientific studies prove that the longer a child is breastfed, the higher their IQ. YOUR risk of breast and ovarian cancers goes down the longer you nurse, as does your baby's.

I don't fault you if you want to wean now, you've done an amazing job!

However, if you're quitting to please your mom, that's not a good reason, you might regret it.

Answer 8

It doesn't matter how long you carry on feeding your child (though you are right, she doesn't need it any more), but you do need to teach your child to fall asleep without you. Imagine you suddenly have to be in hospital overnight - that's going to be traumatic enough for your child without them also being unable to go to sleep!

I'd advise you to get help from someone else - husband? Or maybe your mum? You need to simply not be there at bedtime, or naptime (explain to your daughter beforehand that you are going somewhere and will see her in the morning, she'll understand more than you think). Then when she is put to bed there simply won't be a breast to suck, just a trusted adult to cuddle her. It won't be fun, but she will go to sleep when she is tired enough. And once that's working, you can move on to getting her to fall asleep not in someone's arms. I'm sure she has dropped off at other times at least once - in the car, maybe? She can do it, but she is going to cry at first. You have to be strong for her sake.

It's normal for a lot of hair to fall out after you have a baby (because you grow extra in pregnancy and then you lose it again) but if it looks like it's going really much thinner than it was before you were pregnant, talk to your doctor.

Answer 9

don't listen to uneducated ppl nag you about still breastfeeding when in fact what you are doing is the best hands down for your daughter's health....mentally and physically

your hair loss doesn't have anything to do with breastfeeding

don't stress......just go with it and cherish these moments......before you know it she wean herself and you will be heartbroken

awsome job for breastfeeding!!!

Answer 10

hair falling out is a sign your body is out of balance, maybe producing all that milk is having an effect. Talk to your doc and consult a nutritionist.

Insofar as quitting, you are avoiding the move out of fear your daughter will be distraught. Now is as good a timer as any to gently get the message to her that we don't always get what we want. she is going to cry right? I never heard of that being bad for a baby. If you want to be there for her, keep in mind that you must take care of yourself or the notion pops up you wont be there for her. Doing what is right is hard sometimes. This is one of those times. Do see your doc. Losing that much hair is something that must be looked after. there are certain diseases that cause alopecia and the baby may not enter into it. Go see what's going on.
God Bless, and good luck