My little guy is nine months old and is showing no signs of being ready to wean. It does not bother me any. My neighbor actually said, "Eww - yucky" when I told her I was still nursing. *rolling eyes* When did you guys wean?
2007-12-06 06:24:03 · 21 answers · asked by Sarah 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It always kills me when someone says a child should be on regular milk and a sippy cup by age 1. What exactly is regular milk? Cow's milk? Meant for a calf? Oh yeah, that makes a lot of sense, because children turn into calves after age 1.
It's recommended by the WHO and the AAP to breastfeed until the baby has all their teeth, or at least until age 2. I think children should self wean. They know better than anyone when the best time is.
My daughter is almost 1 and I still nurse on demand. I say nurse your baby for as long as he wants. You seem to be fine with it, so keep going.
Good for you for giving your baby the best start in life.
2007-12-06 06:47:03 · answer #1 · answered by chloe 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It's best to breastfeed until your child self-weans. Current reccomendation by the AAP is 1 year or more, and by the WHO is 2+ years.
My son is 13 months old and still breastfed. He will be allowed to decide when he no longer needs it. I'm not fully comfortable with the thought of nursing an older child, but I'm willing to get past that - it's the healthiest thing I can possibly do for him.
Here is a factsheet on the benefits of extended breastfeeding (past 1yr):
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html
This decision is between you and your son. Don't let anybody else make it for you.
ETA:
Breastmilk is best right from the source. It loses nutrients when it changes containers. The average age of self-weaning is 3-5 years, but can happen anywhere from 2.5-7 years.
2007-12-06 06:32:14 · answer #2 · answered by xxunloved_little_angelxx 4 · 8⤊ 1⤋
I weaned my first one when he was 14 months and my second one i started to wean at 14 months but it took me until he was 16 months old to be done. I think you should wean when you are ready to. I started to wean my second one because he was starting to lift my shirt in public so he could eat and that was the sign for me that I was done.
2007-12-06 09:04:05 · answer #3 · answered by Jessy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had to wean at 2 months much to my dismay. All of the books say up to like a year. I don't see a problem with it, but then I look at my son (who is a year now) and I think there is no way in hell I would do that, just based on how hard he bites. But I wish I did it a little bit longer, but it was impossible to pump while at work.
2007-12-06 06:36:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'm a big fan of child led weaning. I get the "ew" comment a lot too. Just know that she's probably just misinformed about breastfeeding in general.
The AAP states that breastfeeding is best for one year and beyond and the World Health Organization says 2 years and beyond. You could try quoting them if you think it would help. Breastmilk is so good for toddlers, too. I think a lot of people just don't know that.
You're doing what's best, don't let someone elses opinions stop you from that.
2007-12-06 06:36:23 · answer #5 · answered by Mandy 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I can't believe there are still people out there who do that. Baby haters!
My first lost interest in nursing when I was pregnant with my second child. She was only 14 months old.
My second child is now 25 months old and she will wean when she's ready! It won't be for a long time, I can assure you.
2007-12-06 06:34:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Well I tried with my first only worked for 1 month. My second well she is 17 months and still working on it a few nights a week. Go with what you and your baby want. My goal with time was to go a year and i did it. Now i am trying to get her off so I can have a break before the next one comes.
Go with your hart. You are the mom no one else
2007-12-06 06:40:11 · answer #7 · answered by JustAsk'n 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I say nurse as long as it works for both you and your son and you guys are comfortable. My daughter is 4 months old and I plan on breastfeeding until she is at least a year, we'll see how things are going then and make a decision from there. I don't think it's "yucky" at all! :)
2007-12-06 06:31:36 · answer #8 · answered by jatay 5 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I used to think anyone who breastfed past a year was strange. I breastfed until my daughter was 15 months. I'm due in April with #2 and will breastfeed my son as long as possible, but not past 18 months. As long as both you and your baby enjoy it, do it. Towards the end, I usually only breastfed my daughter in the morning and at night and maybe once during the day if we were home because she was eating and drinking everything by then. Good luck and don't pay attention to other people. They don't get it!
2007-12-06 06:31:35 · answer #9 · answered by Precious 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My mom breastfed my brother (he self weaned) til he was 2 yrs old.. She breastfed me (also self weaned) til I was 10 months.. I think it all depends on when baby wants to stop..to an extent. I personally thing over 2 yrs old is a bit much.
Some women though allow their children to breastfeed up to the age of like 8yrs old.. (now that is EWW)
Don't listen to your neighbor, she is an idiot. Most women on average breastfeed til age one.. when the child is able to drink regular milk.
BTW, I breastfed my daughter for only 3 weeks, but due to medical reasons, had to stop..I would have breastfed her at LEAST til one yrs old if I could have..
I plan on breastfeeding my son (currently 39 weeks pregnant) for as long as possible as well.
Good luck and congratulations.
2007-12-06 06:37:31 · answer #10 · answered by justplainsweet83 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋