When did you stop breastfeeding? I want to go as long as possible!?

Question

I'm concerned I may have to stop when his teeth start coming in. He's 4 months now. When is the soonest I can stop for him to get the full effect? And does your milk really just dry up at some point..even if you continue to pump??

Answer 1

Breastmilk continues to provide benefit until you stop. Most experts (worldwide) recommend at least 2 years. Join a La Leche League group for tips. Most women do not stop just because baby has teeth.

Women who post that doctors recommend no more than a year either misinterpreted the info from the doctor or the doctor is just plain nuts. NOBODY recommends that you MUST STOP at 1 year.

Answer 2

I am still BF my 10 month old in the morning and at night. He gets 2 bottles during the day. I had a LOT of milk frozen so he used that first and at day care. It does start to dry up the less the baby feeds and the more solids you give them. I was pumping at work and my supply definately went down at about 7-8 months so I slowly reduced the number of pumpings and now only pump in the morning before I work if he is still sleeping. I guess it would be higher if you pump a lot more often. You will be fine when the teeth come in, just deal with it when you get there. My son has 6 teeth and has never bit me. Some people choose to stop when the teeth come in but if you don't want to you don't have to. They say the best effects of breastmilk are gotten in the first 6 months but they also recommend breastfeeding atleast 1 year and longer (2+ years) for continued effects and comfort/bonding. Good luck!

Answer 3

You won't have to stop bf once teeth come in that is your choice when you want. As far as getting the full effect the baby will get it as long as you are bfing. Your milk will dry up some with pumping but not all that much depending on the frequency of pumping (more you pump the more you get vice verse). Even after you stop completely bfing and pumping it will take a bit of time for your milk glands to stop producing milk. I nursed my last one for 16mths no bottles, didn't start solids till she was 7 mths old (she had no interest in solids) and went to cup with my milk till she was 2 yrs old.

Answer 4

I stopped with my first one at 2 and he only bit once. If you tell the baby No in a stern voice, they know what your saying and wont do it again. They are suppose to nurse until 1 yrs old to get the best start. My second baby stopped at 5 mo. and the milk does dry up some but not completely- he is 17 mo. and if i squeeze by breast a little milk will still come out

Answer 5

I stopped soon after my son's first birthday. Once a few teeth grew in, he bit me a couple of times, but never hard enough to break the skin. As far as the full effect goes, I'm not really sure, but I've heard of mother's nursing until their kid is 5 years old. The milk shouldn't dry up unless you stop pumping (and nursing.)

Answer 6

What full effect? Breastmilk is ALWAYS beneficial to both the nursling and the breastfeeding mom.

Billions of women have managed to nurse children with teeth, you teach them not to bite and most learn very quickly. Some never bite at all.

As long as you continue breastfeeding your milk will not "dry up". Exclusive pumping may slowly cause your supply to decrease because it doesn't stimulate enough production but that doesn't mean that you will suddenly dry up with no warning.

Answer 7

As long as you are nursing or pumping you should continue to produce milk.

Teething is not necessarily a reason to wean. If the child is latched on properly and actively nursing, you shouldn't really notice the teeth all that much. They can't bite if they are nursing, their own tongue is in the way. :-)

The AAP recommends *at least* 12 mos.
The WHO recommends *at least* 24 mos.

As long as you nurse, they will always benefit. So there isn't a point where they get the "full effect" as they benefit the whole time.

We practice child-lead weaning, where the child stops when they are done. My son weaned at 3.5 years, older daughter at just shy of 2 years, youngest daughter at 4.5 years.

Answer 8

I can only speak from my own experiences:

1. I am working full-time and nursing a 14 month old. She got her 2 bottom teeth in at 5 months of age. I have only been bitten twice. Once was when she bit down trying to get the nipple when she was 1/2 asleep. The second time she was not hungry- just playing. Neither time was recent. So no, you do not have to wean because of teeth. Nurse him as long as possible.

2. I can't say if your milk dries up as I seem to have enough to feed my own baby and that of a small, under-developed nation. *giggle* With our son, it dried up over time, and it took some time. For our daughter, it's going strong. I am not leaking anymore but still have plenty of milk.

Good luck to you. I find "Playing it by ear" helps me a lot.

EDIT: My Lord!
You are not LOCKED DOWN when you are breastfeeding. I am nursing a 14 month old and find it to be very flexible! I have a drink or 2 every now and then, I eat anything I want and still lose weight. I had to limit spices and tomato products in the first 8 weeks because she was sensitive, but not after that. I work, pump and enjoy my life with our baby.

I am NOT the primary caregiver. My husband is with our baby when I work days and he then works at night. I pump and transfer to a cup for her- and have since she was 10 weeks old. Pumping is wonderful- and it does free you up for a night out.

Comments like these bother me because they are false and it breeds more untruths for women who are interested in nursing their baby.

Answer 9

I pump breast milk for my son. I've been doing it since the day he was born, and he's now almost 8 months old.
I plan on doing it for as long as i think he needs the breast milk.

Why stop? If your worried about teeth, you can always pump, that way your baby still gets the mothers milk, and it's cheaper... and you wont get bit!

as long as you empty your breasts... milk will keep comin' in. I dont know if i've ever heard of milk just drying up... but who knows!

Answer 10

No your milk wont dry up unless you start taking birth control pills that will effect your hormones. What happens as a child gets older and older they will nurse less and less. My sisters breasfeeding a 19 month old and she still has milk. Its just not as much as it used to be. As her little one cuts down her milk will also. Its supply and demand. Really you dont need to wean when teeth come. Most babies only bite onces. If your baby is biting its not nursing. Plus nursing is proven not to cause tooth decay! Heres some good links to look at:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/tooth-decay.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/biting.html
I totally plan on breastfeeding my baby till shes 2. Thats my goal. Im not sure if she'll want to till she's 2 so If she changes her mind we'll wean. Its best to breastfeed for ATLEAST one year! Congrats on breastfeeding and keep up the good work!