Supply of milk for 16 month old child

[ThreeBluecubs]

I wonder if someone can help me please.

I was told the other day that beyond a few months of breastfeeding, milk is no longer made in advance and stored in your breasts, but is made on demand as the baby feeds. I was told that was why you tend not to get engorged with an older child.

I was quite surprised to hear this as it is not something I have notice with any of our three and not something I have heard before.

If this is true, does this mean that I can really come and go with breastfeeding DS3 who is now 16 months? I am feeding about 4 times a day but would like to drop to 3 times when we are busy or increase if I am at home a lot that day. In the past I have tried to stick to four times to ensure a good supply because until recently he didn't like a beaker/bottle etc.

I'd really appreciate any help. Thank you.

[Elasticwoman]

You can afford to feed less often and less regularly with a child of that age without losing your supply. Indeed, if you were to give up bfeeding altogether at this stage, it would probably take quite a while for the
milk to dry up completely.

When my ds was 16 months I fed him first thing in the morning, and at his bedtime, but how much he had at other times was completely random, and he carried on bf till he was over 4 years old. (It was v sporadic at the end.)

[IorekByrnison]

I hadn't heard that, but I am still feeding dd at 2.3 and have been quite erratic with feeds on many occasions over the past year with no ill effects. Usually feed twice a day but sometimes more and sometimes less (more often less than more actually). Have gone as long as 36 hours without feeding.

Would have thought 3 feeds a day would be pretty safe at 16 months.

[ThreeBluecubs]

Thanks both

[LiegeAndLief]

I'm not sure about why you don't get engorged, but you definitely don't need to be feeding 4 times a day to keep your production up at this stage. I've been feeding ds once a day since November (he's now 17 months) with no ill effects at all, can miss a feed out no problems.

Hopefully someone more informed will come along as I am quite interested in the milk production thing!