Breastfeeding your baby over one year?

Question

How many of you that are breastfeeding or have breastfed your child for more than one year gave them whole milk? I breast fed my middle daughter until she was 2 and never gave her whole milk, the doctor said it was fine. I'm still breastfeeding my 18 month old and have not given her whole milk. One pediatrician said it's ok because breastmilk is half fat, and today another one said to start. I dont restrict her nursing so she probably nurses more than the average 18 month old, and she does eat solid food. We drink 2% milk, and that's what I give her. I plan on nursing her until she's 2 at least, do I really need to give her whole mik? What did you moms do?

Answer 1

I nursed my first until he weaned himself at 2.5 years. I'm currently nursing my second and plan on going that long as well.
You don’t HAVE to give them whole milk as long as they are nursing. It’s more for convenience. Sometimes pediatricians don't think logically when they tell you to start whole milk (Hmm...cow milk is for baby cows, and human milk is for babies, so why would I offer my human baby cow milk if they are still getting human milk? Hmmm.)

In fact, breastfed toddlers don’t generally like cow milk since it’s not as sweet as breast milk. I did offer my first whole milk, but he didn’t really like it until after he weaned. I changed to 2% at 2 years.

Honestly, with my second, since I plan on nursing him just as long, I’ll probably just do 2% if I offer any at all. I think it’s ok to feed them cow milk if you want but it’s not necessary for nutritional value as long as you’re still nursing.

Isn’t nursing a toddler amazing? Those moms who stop before have no idea how cool it is.

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry about it.

I nursed for 18 months, and only introduced whole cow's milk at 14 months because I didn't want to bother with pumping and was going on an overnight trip w/ my husband. So a week before I started giving her a little to make sure she wasn't allergic or intolerant at all that way my mother didn't have to worry about it.

If she's nursing a lot, cow's milk, even fat free, is just a beverage for her - about as necessary as juice would be.

When it comes to breastfeeding issues, pediatricians are not usually up to speed on all the "latest info" :)

Now if she weans in the next month, get her some whole milk!!

Answer 3

well I breastfed my daughter for 20 mos and gave her whole milk. She really did not love milk so it wasn't like all the time. I think you should discuss it with your pediatrician and go with that. I think they recommened whole milk until 2 I believe. My kids are older and we just do 1 % and they are ages 3 and 4. If you feel she is getting enough from breastmilk then its really up to you but I think you shoukd give some whole milk.

Answer 4

you dont need to give her and cows milk at all. actually no one really needs to drink cows milk. it's milk made for cows. there are otehr ways to get calcium. i am still breastfeeding my son nwo adn hes 5 1/2 months and i dont plan to stop until hes a year but i doo applaud women who breastfeed for longer- it is a huge commitment. i would stick wiht what you did before. most docs say it's OK to give her whole milk after a year not that you need to. if your baby is not receiving any breastmilk then you should give whole milk because they need the milk fat for good brain development but breastmilk is very good for brain development- good job on being a wonderful mother:)

Answer 5

I gave whole milk and nursed my middle child until she was 2. Was such a great experience. Third child, nursed to 17months and gave her whole milk (whe weined herself :(
You don't ever NEED to give them cows milk. Mine are now all on Soy. Whatever you choose, baby will be fine.
Only suggestion would be to introduce it now rather than later as baby may not aquire a taste for cow's milk and soy is expensive. Mine are on soy because first born had an allergy and second had an intolerance and does not like cow's milk. You sound like a great mom. I miss nursing my babies!

Answer 6

i just want to say WELL DONE! i am breastfeeding my son who is 9 months soon and i really did plan to breastfeed for 2 years. BUT....i dont know if i can go that long! i really really want to! i also am planning to give whole milk 2/3 times in the day after he is 1 so he gets abit of fat on him (he is tall and thin!) but i just want to say well done! there is no harm in givng cows milk 1/2 times in the day as long as your child is still benefitig from your breastmilk. i really hope i can go on for as long as i planned! can i just ask how you did that and was it hard?

Answer 7

I breastfed both my girls past a year. #1 self weaned around 21 months to23 months and #2 till just before she turned 3.

And they both drank whole milk because thats what I drank.
It was just when they wanted a taste of what I was drinking, they fell in love with milkshakes after tasting their Dad's milkshake. So if they asked for milk then I gave them milk. But it wasnt a forced thing in their diet.

Answer 8

You should be proud of nursing until your baby is ready to wean! I did nurse over 2 yrs with each and they went to skim milk for 3 of them and soy milk for one (milk allergy). You do not have to give baby any milk other than mommy's while nursing!

Answer 9

It doesnt matter about whole milk and fat content. Its about calcium for healthy bones. As long as you and your child are happy, carry on breastfeeding. If the solid foods are well balanced for vitamins and minerals there should be no problems. Recently watched a programme on t.v. about mothers who still have children at the breast at 5,6and 7 years old.

Answer 10

Since you are still breastfeeding, and she is getting fat from solid foods the 2% is probably fine for her.