To not want to stop BF 17 month old

I bf for about 10/12 months each time. Would love to go back for an evening cuddling and bf my baby. Keep going as long as it suits you and your little one

You are not being unreasonable at all. For your and your little one's health, the world health organisation recommends breastfeeding until at least 2 years old, does your partner know that? Don't listen to the family members and friends, it is none of their business. It's completely natural to be breastfeeding a toddler. And it works for you. You have to do what's right for you and your family. I was the same and fed both of mine until they were nearly 3 as did many mums I know. There is no reason to stop right now if it's working for you.

Fuck em, fuck the lot of em, your child isn’t even 1.5 … the fact that their argument is your child is happy settled and well attached? Twats!!

You're doing a lovely thing and its sad and annoying to hear how so many people are being negative about it.As hard as it is, try not to let them get under your skin.
He is still so young anyway! The official health guidance is to breastfeed til at least 2yo for optimum health benefits.

I breastfed both my girls til they were 3.5/4. Out and about til about 18mths/2.From 2ish I stopped at night time feeds as it was quite disruptive for my/their sleep, and just did first thing in morning/evening feeds, and then only evening until stopping.Stopping was still my choice though....at 4.5 and 8.5 both would probably still be going now if I let them! Lol.People probably judged me for it behind closed doors but never dared to to my face.DH liked it as he got out of doing night feeds/bedtime settling for a long time!

If you and him enjoy it, carry on.... X

I breast feed my 2 and 4 month old, no plans to stop anytime soon. You have to do what is right for you and little one, and ignore anyone who pressurises you into doing something you don't want to do.

Check out Emma Pickett on insta. She is a fabulous lactation consultant who specialises in natural terms breastfeeding and gentle weaning, at a time right for mother and nursling.
https://www.instagram.com/emmapickettibclc?igsh=bnNwdjJ5b3BrMGxr

I found the phrase "fuck off" useful in this scenario. I also threatened violence on my brother when he joked about bitty from little Britain when I was feeding a 1 year old(never forgiving Walliams for that either). My kids weaned fine at 2.5, do not have teeth issues and learned to sleep by themselves just fine.

Follow your heart OP.

You and DS sound like you've got things sorted and that suits you all. Your parents will have to wait and your friends are probably jealous. 17 months - he is still a baby. I think, as you have said, 2 - 2.5 years to wean him off. But if you want to keep feeding for longer then do that!

None of anyone else’s business. I don’t get why others see it as their place to comment.

Meh it works for you and DC so they can F off.

My 20 month old is still bf for similar reasons. He actually feeds more than yours if its available to him. Often it's the only thing that soothes him. And it's a superpower of he hurts himself or something. Don't stop unless and until one of you wants to. That's honestly the only thing you need to consider.

I breastfed untill 2.5 and almost 5!

I got comments about stopping with my second. I just rolled my eyes and carried on.

Ignore, ignore, ignore!

It's really none of their business.

I’m BF my 15mo with no plans to stop. It’s so useful as you say!! Brilliant way to reconnect now I’m going back to work - makes sleep a breeze - when they’re ill - the list goes on. I’d be so disappointed if DP wasn’t supportive, but would keep going regardless!

BF is good for you as well - as PPs have said, every year you BF further reduces your risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis etc etc.

The average age for children to wean in hunter gatherer societies (ie the way humans lived for most of our history) is around 3-7yo I believe. It’s many of us in the West who have weird attitudes to BF! A baby being too attached 😂

My son still had one bf a day at 3 years old before bed. Stopped at that age, however I would have been really hurt if my family had shamed me for it. My daughter stopped at 12 months old, as that was her decision, she just didn't want it anymore. Every child is different. Your family suck for making you feel bad about it. You're doing a great job.

Do what you and your child want, and sod everyone else. My first daughter carried on until after she was 4 and my second until she was 3, with a year of tandem nursing in the middle.

Nothing bad happened to any of us. 🙂

The WHO recommends exclusive BF for the first 6 months and then BF alongside food for ‘up to’ 2 years or beyond. There is evidence that breastfeeding reduces your risk of developing various cancers, and the longer you feed, the more you reduce your risk. It isn’t bad for you.

The only person I would discuss this with is my partner. Anyone else would be told to it’s none of their business.

If your partner thinks it’s “weird” I can only suggest that they examine why they think that and do some of their own research.

It works for you, and it works for baby, so there isn’t really anything else to discuss.

Trust your gut instinct, you are doing a great job at meeting your son’s needs. It’s absurd for grandparents to suggest you are ‘too attached’. Bf is good for so many things, don’t cave in to pressure from others.

I have grown up kids. That’s made me realise that a 17 month old is a baby!
If I were you I would feed for another year or so and not feel bad about it.
Like others have mentioned around the world the average age to boob feed is up to 7 years.

In my opinion as long as you are doing it for the benefit of your child and not yourself, carry on.

I know someone who used to literally force her 3 year old to breastfeed because she loved the cuddles and connection, but you could see the child didn’t want to do it and felt uncomfortable.

The average weaning age is up to (or averaging 7)?! That’s crazy. Surely, some of that is related to sanitation, rather than aspirational?

I did it up to 17 months but stopped when old enough to pull off midway and talk to me, it was just too weird, personally.

Disclaimer: It’s up to the individual to make whatever choice.

Keep going! I massively regretted stopping breast feeding mine at 12 months. If I could turn back time, I’d do it until at least 2.

I weaned at 4 months with both kids but plenty of friends kept going to 2/2.5 years - not unusual. It also sounds like you've somehow managed to get a good balance much more than most people i know as a lot of them had sleep issues related to night feeding so well done. Do what you want to do.

Please ignore them. It’s your choice when you stop. It’s completely normal to BF into childhood, if you’re happy doing it, why stop.

People are arses, I’m sorry you’re feeling pressure to stop. As everyone else has said ignore them and do what you feel is right for you and your baby. 17 months is still so little!

You have lots of good company here with lots of us breastfeeding to 2 and beyond. Don’t give it up until you’re ready to.

The World Health Organization recommends feeding until 2 or beyond. I fed till 3 with mine. I believe that longer feeding also offers you greater protection against breast cancer, if you need a reason to give them.

I understand that it is difficult for grandparents, particularly if their friends are having grandchildren for sleepovers. There's a lot of peer pressure on them. Just reassure them that little one loves them and that he will be able to have sleepovers when he's bigger . . .

Best of luck.

Ignore your family and friends. You are doing something amazing and believe me time goes so fast. He will stop when he is ready.