Moms: how long did you berastfeed your babies?
@awonderfullife (2893)
United States
February 14, 2007 8:24am CST
I have a friend who breastfed her son until he was 4 years old. 4 YEARS OLD! You have to understand, that is VERY unusual here in the United States! I realize it was mainly a comfort thing for her kid, he was getting nutrition from regular food. I also realize that in many cultures, children are breastfed for years. But I thought it was strange and I didn't agree with it. My feeling is, if a child can talk and ask for it, they're too old. I breastfed my kids until they were a little over one year old. I supplemented with baby food and formula as they approached the one year mark.
If you breastfed your children, how long did you do it for?
12 people like this
9 responses
@rainbow (6761)
•
14 Feb 07
Bong was almost a year and Roo did it himself by 8 months. I do think once they get teeth it's time to start with a sippy cup if not before. I used to bottle feed as a top up, even if I had to express for ages, at 6 months I stopped expressing and bought formula and sippy cups, then gradually cut the amount of mummy feeds down, luckily it was never a big deal for either of them. Roo decided he liked the sippy cup and pushed me away within about a week. He still puts his arm down my top if he's tired or upset now and he's 3, but I don't mind sometimes you just need to feel close to your mum I suppose.
4 people like this
@awonderfullife (2893)
• United States
14 Feb 07
I agree about the teeth-- that can be painful! But once they're old enough to floss, it's time to go to the sippy cup, LOL!
1 person likes this
@CarlaEllyn (4)
• United States
14 Feb 07
Just a year for both my kids. And I got a lot of flack for even continuing that long.
Carla
@mythmoh (3984)
• United States
15 Feb 07
4 years is very unusal.I am having a kid of 13 months old.my doctor advised me to stop feeding her.but as she is little bit underweight i just reduced the number of times.will stop within 2-3 months.it will be good to stop feeding them when they start to take semisolid foods and formula and the routine of food pattern just like adults.
@tendaheart2002 (495)
• United States
14 Feb 07
My daughter was about 10 months old when I stopped. Although I have heard about people doing it for a much longer time. I agree with you on that if they are old enough to ask then they are too old. But everybody has different views on it, and as long as she and her child are okay with it then there shouldn't be a problem. I would just worry that it would cause some type of developmental issue in a child that old, but I guess it is not like you hear any issues about children that are breatfeed in there pre K years. Great discussion topic!!
1 person likes this
@Ailey1975 (20)
• United States
14 Feb 07
I am currently nursing my 7 month old and will until he turns one. I pumped for a whole year when my now 5 year old was a baby until he turned one also. I feel that nursing is the best and I wanted the best for my kids. BTW, my older one wouldnt latch and thats why I pumped.
I have a friend who has a 3 year old and he is still nursing. She wants to wean him but doesnt know how. I think more people in the US nurse longer than say age 2 but do it privately. Its hard enough to get judged by those who think nursing an infant is wrong, never mind a toddler or preschooler. So they do it at home where no one can see. Thats my theory.
@Kaeli72 (1229)
• United States
14 Feb 07
Scrat: 6 months because I had to go back to work
DW: 18 months because he had anxiety issues and separation was a big thing for him. Whooo weeee...he would cry and cry if I was gone from him for an hour!
KC: 9 months because I had developed an infection and didn't know how to get rid of it.
Little Man: 6 months. I wanted to go much longer with him but my husband HAD me go to a meeting in another state and Little Man liked formula. When I got back, I tried and tried to get him to nurse again, but he licked my nipple and said, I kid you not, "Blech!" That was the end of that.
~Jael
1 person likes this
@happythoughts (4109)
• United States
14 Feb 07
I nursed my son for 13 months. I let him quit on his own. My daughter is almost 2 and she stll wants to nurse. I always said I would let my kids decide when to quit but she dosent want to, so I am deciding for her. I felt like 2 was to old but the LaLeche League is now saying 2 years old is best.
As soon as the kids walk up and start lifting my shirt to get at me it becomes strange for me.
@lilmissy2700 (2)
• Canada
14 Feb 07
I have 3 kids, and although I aimed to BF each for about 6months they ranged from 6 weeks to about 1yr. I also know of several people who continued long past the "norm". My SIL has 5 kids, aged newborn-8yrs ALL of them still nurse. They actually have a leather arm chair in their living room that they refer to as the "Boobie Chair" I know to each is own, but I don't imagine that 8yr old boy tells any of his friends what he does at home with his mom and in my opinion if you are ashamed to tell people you are doing something - you likely shouldn't be doing it.
