To not want to stop BF 17 month old

@Kittyfuri breastfed my daughter until she was 3 and she’s now 5 and doesn’t even remember it. I don’t think the would be embarrassed because it’s completely normal, she has a baby sister who she’s going to see be breastfed for a while as well. So hopefully if she ever chooses to have kids she won’t be living under the mad misconception that breastfeeding beyond (sorry what age do people like you think is acceptable? I was going to say 12 months but maybe it’s 6? Or only a few weeks? Or is any breastfeeding just cringey to you people?) well beyond any age that the mother and child WANT to, is “cringy” or in some other way wrong or weird

@Kittyfur what an absolutely bizarre comment. As if teens even talk about that kind of thing with each other 😂

My 18 year old has zero embarrassment that they were bf until they were 4.

I carried on with both of mine until they were about 2. My daughter never wanted to stop but I was pregnant with ds. He lost interest when he had a cold when he was 2.

There’s isn’t embarrassment. Is your teen embarrassed when they find out they came out head first of your vagina? Or that you had sex with their dad? Ewww

Come on stop being childish.

The child that I breastfed the longest actually is the most independent and on point. They are the one that I would trust the most to follow through with something. They are also the most social able and independent.

The generation before mine, that didn’t even breastfeed, seem to have a complex about women who do.

It was unusual then but most of the children I know now have been breastfed until at least 2-3. It’s the new (and old) normal because it is biologically normal and the actual recommendation

I was breastfed until I was 3 and couldn’t care less. My mum has a personality disorder and used to try to embarrass me with it as well, I wasn’t bothered. It was the least of my concerns

What's actually cringey is sexualizing a mother breast feeding a child.
Patriarchy is extremely difficult to fight.

Carry on if you both want to. I breast fed youngest till 3 and only stopped because I had to due to medication. She is now 6 and so happy and confident and healthy! Breast feeding must have contributed to this!
I also had pressure from partner and family to stop. Only people who matter are you and your child. Well done you are amazing!!!

Too attached! The cheek! You and your child share a bond and that closeness is a lot more to do with him growing inside you and listening to you for all those months before he was born. Mine fed til 2, I got all that from everyone, just like yours he weaned himself down to just bedtime. Then he stopped which may come soon if your little one is already learning to sleep without it. I honestly think it was a comfort, he always wanted more when ill and why should we reject our child seeking comfort to please other people?

I don't think so... because its not creepy, weird, sexual or in any way inappropriate.

So why would they be? In fact do most kids even know what age they were weaned at? Lots of kids take a bottle much older than they should - should they feel completely mortified about that?

Or is your issue with it really when we boil it right down, the over sexualising of a female body part that is specifically designed to feed children?

Seems really cringey to me

Does anyone wonder wether their child will be completely mortified when a teenager to learn that they were breast fed at age 3+

They are all ill informed op and that's not necessarily their fault but it's not fair for them to make that your problem.

Refer them to the world health organisation who recommend breast feeding until AT LEAST the age of 2.

There are many reports linking extended breastfeeding to health benefits for mother and child and the health benefits for the mother directly correlate to the longer she nurses for.

I also faced a lot of pressure to wean when ds turned 1. (I bf until he was 2 and then weaned over the course of about 2 months gradually with no issues) and I would recommend la leche league or other breastfeeding support group for more informed information, and peer support. The UK has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding globally so in that respect you are going against the trend, but op that's a good thing. What matters is that it's working for you and working for baby. Other people's opinion on that is something they need to learn to keep to themselves.

Honestly I'd tell them to fuck off. 17 months is still just a baby. He's your baby and you two are supposed to be very attached to each other - it would be a huge concern if you weren't.

It's a sad reflection on our culture that anyone thinks it's weird to breastfeed a bloody 1 year old.

He’s your baby. You’ll never get these moments back so saviour every single one and do what’s best for you and babe! Sod everyone else x

The benefits of so called extended breastfeeding - ie the normal natural length and so many and varied. Go for it.

It’s mental so much pressure to start breastfeeding then blink and it’s so much pressure to stop.

You are doing the best thing for your baby and anyone who can’t see that lacks information or critical thinking. You do you. I did with mine. ❤️

Still breastfeeding my nearly 2.5 year old here. I think I am nearly ready to stop but finding it hard as I know she is my last baby and I will really miss it. People who have never done it just really struggle to understand how special it can be. You keep going as long as you and your little one want.

Don’t give in to this pressure @Sunny123Skies67 it is very wrong of anyone to criticise you for this. I had a similar experience with people referencing the Little Britain character and it was horrible. I carried on until my DS was nearly 3. It is an absolutely amazing salve for all ills and stresses, no regrets, you just carry on for as long as is right for the both of you which seems to be about 3. As my old HV once said, you will not be visiting the school at playtime to put your tits through the fence!

I manage people. I’ve just done an updated work place risk assessment (required where we work) for someone breast feeding their near 3 year old. Breast feed as long as you want for as long as suits you. Don’t give in to pressure. I had a baby who was 10lb+ at birth. My mum insisted breast feeding couldn’t give him what he needed despite him getting bigger each week. It’s old thinking. I did, however, leave him overnight from a young age for my own mental health and this was ok too. Different choices for different people, circumstances and family.

I fed my youngest until he was nearly 5, so he had started school before he stopped, but nobody really knew. DH was supportive. I don't know if parents/PIL were, but they had the sense to keep it to themselves if they weren't. DS had stayed the night with my parents occasionally with no problem.

Some people just aren't used to people feeding beyind 12 months and so think it's odd rather than perfectly normal and very handy at times!

I find that hard to believe. How can you force a child to latch on if they don’t want to?!

I breastfed until my child was nearly 4. It’s completely normal and, I believe, recommended. It was completely child led.

You sound like a really good mum! It’s hard not to listen to people close to you but you are doing what is right for you & your baby.

a quick boob puts him back to sleep.

My husband is like that.

This makes me so angry!!! My in-laws were like this. They also blamed my breastfeeding on the fact we wouldn’t leave DC with them overnight. They soon lost interest in her once the realised they wouldn’t get their own way, to the point they haven’t even met our other DC because their behaviour became so ridiculous. So thank goodness we are so attached to our children!! They’re supposed to be well attached to you, it helps their development!!