How old was your child when you stopped breastfeeding?

Question

My son is almost 6 months old. He has been exclusively on breast milk but he takes it from a bottle, as he wouldn't latch onto my nipple. I pump everyday, every 4 - 6 hours. I get up at 5am to pump every morning. Its ok, I am kind of used to it now but he is coming up to that age when solids should be introduced and I am wondering if I should start to pump less when that happens and if I should work towards just giving him a bottle of breast milk at night and one in the morning. I know that up until 6 months breast milk is all a child needs BUT I think my main question is, after they reach 6 months how much breast milk do they need?

Answer 1

Actually until at least age ONE breastmilk is all a child NEEDS. Solids are for fun and social development NOT nutrition.

If you want to reduce how much you are pumping you are going to have to use formula.

As to "how much" a baby really needs well obviously that is variable but some studies have found:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html
What if baby is eating solid foods?

Sometime between six months and a year (as solids are introduced and slowly increased) baby's milk intake may begin to decrease, but breastmilk should provide the majority of baby's nutrition through the first year. Because of the great variability in the amount of solids that babies take during the second six months, the amount of milk will vary, too. One study found average breastmilk intake to be 30 oz per day (875 ml/day; 93% of total intake) at 7 months and 19 oz (550 ml/day; 50% of total energy intake) at 11-16 months.

http://www.askdrsears.com/faq/bf4.asp
"Breast milk is nutritionally complete for at least the first year of life. This means that infants can go for at least a year on breast milk alone, without eating any foods, and be nutritionally complete. Offering foods between 6 and 12 months of age is simply for social development and to get infants used to eating."

Answer 2

Between 6 months and a year, breast milk should still be the majority of the child's diet. Solids at this age are a matter of exploring tastes and textures - they should not form a significant part of the baby's diet.

My daughter nursed a lot until she was over 2, less from 2-3, then occasionally until she was 4-1/2.

Answer 3

I did the exact same thing you did with the pumping only and giving it to him though a bottle. Now he will use a bottle and breastfeed too, so I was lucky with that. It is hard I know, but it's worth it. I might just breastfeed my son until he is 6 months old, I'm not sure yet. I have read that milk is supposed to be the main source of food until they're a year old at least. You can try giving him formula instead if you want to, but ask your doctor first. I tried giving it to him at bed time to help him sleep longer...lol what a joke that didn't work. But that's not what you're asking. I think by 6 months he's gotten all the nutrition he needs from the milk and the antibodies. Ask your doctor at the next appointment and he or she might tell you that formula is ok if you wish to stop :)

Answer 4

My daughter is 10 1/2 months old. We breastfeed - when she wants to first thing and in the morning and before she goes to bed. Not every time does she want to though. It's frustrating to me. But she does prefer the bottle and formula now. BUT - since this little routine of sometimes nursing and sometimes not - she has had two ear infections. Latest one was just last night. I am going to nurse her whenever we are together, like I used to, no more bottles expect during work. Trust me - nurse as long as you can! The health benefits are awesome!! My daughter was never sick until she started taking more formula than breastmilk. As soon as I get her on more boob juice, her symptoms improve - no kidding!!!
Just keep nursing him on demand - nurse first, then offer solids.

Answer 5

Our first was breastfed until he was 7 months. My wife stopped because we found out she was pregnant with our second child. All of the others were breastfed until they were about 8 months old. At that time, they were weaned to baby food and the bottle. My grandmother breastfed my uncle until he was 3 years old. Back then they thought if you were breastfeeding, you would not get pregnant as easily, so they used it as a form of birth control.

Answer 6

Once my child started eating solids, the breast feeding slowed down dramatically. By the age of 1 it was only three feedings a day, and by age 23 months when I stopped, my child was only feeding shortly before bed. I realise it's not for everybody to feed up to age two.

Answer 7

when i stopped breast feeding..
my daughter was about 7-8 months..
and then you just give her the bottle..
or the mix type of milk...
but when you stop just dont go straight to 2%milk..
give him about a month before you do that..
then try it and see if he will drink it..

Answer 8

WHO recommends at least a year of breastfeeding, if you can do it or want to do it. My sis has 1 year old twins and she still breastfeeds. They eat some solids as well, but mostly milk.

I know many women who breastfeed up to 2 year or more. Its not unhealthy and works just fine. it will save you money of formula and food too.

Answer 9

Hi. I had to stop after 6 months with my son as I needed to take damn PND tablets. But I fed my daughter for a year when she self weaned and am still going with her sister who is 7 months.

Answer 10

I didn't breastfeed my son. But 2 would be the best age to stop breastfeeding.