To not want to stop BF 17 month old

I fed DS until he was turned 3 and he started to self wean. The less he had, the less milk there was and he just stopped quite naturally. I found it a lovely way to reconnect when I went back to work after he was 1 and it was very useful to get him to sleep and if he was tired/poorly to settle him. My mum used to tell him 'you are to big for that now' and we used to ignore her :) Once he was eating a good amount of solid food, I fed him morning then bedtime and then just bedtime. Sounds like your parents want you to stop for their benefit and not yours or your DSs and I don't blame you for wanting him either you whenever you can if you work full time. Maybe when he's a bit older they could him while you work. Stick to your guns.

It's a wonderful thing you're doing!

You should join your local Le Leche League toddler group and meet other like minded mums. I stopped feeding at 2.5 years but I still go to the meetings. Lots of people feeding 3,4 even 5 year olds. You're not weird!

I fed number 1 until 2.5 years and number 2 is just turned 2 and going strong

I'll feed until she or I want to stop and if anyone tried to cajole me into stopping before that point I would massively resent them

I've also had comments from family and I genuinely think it's ridiculous. Current society is idiotic. They make you feel guilty and "less than" if you dont breastfeed your newborn, then they shun you if you nurse past the age of 1.

Sounds like you’re doing amazing! Keep up the good work.
Those that suggest BF less are simply uninformed or jealous.

It's between you and your baby, no-one else. I BF my first until he was 3 and a bit (stopped because I was pregnant and my boobs hurt!), my second is just over 2 and I still feed her too. FIL complained about it but DH had my back and repeatedly told him it was nothing to do with him! Sounds like your DH needs to learn the same...

You are doing an amazing thing for your child. Ignore people who have no idea what they are talking about.

It probably depends on who your circle is. In my circle it was weird of me to stop BF at 18 months, all the others carried on til 2+. I am in the UK. Just suit yourself and say “sorry it’s none of you’re business” if anyone is cheeky enough to comment

I still breastfeed my nearly 3 year old, the only negative comments I've had have been from my mum (who weirdly is a big advocate of breastfeeding but apparently it gets to an arbitrary tipping line with toddlers when you should stop 🙄). After a while of gritting my teeth I told her that she was annoying me and it was none of her business, luckily she hasn't mentioned it since!

I am going to wean soon as frankly I've had enough now, we've been reading booby moon which is sweet and I think helps them prepare for it being 'all gone'.

But don't feel pressured into doing it before you're ready, you do the right thing for you and your little one and try not to care what other people think 😊

What do they mean too attached? All parents, especially mum's are attached to their babies/children aren't they? I don't think you can be too attached.
With regards to bf do it as long as you and your LO want to, no-one else's business.
Is your partner against it because he wants to do bedtime more often, even though you said he can or is it something else? I'd try and find out what the issue is, but don't stop breastfeeding.

My daughter was just over 3 when we dropped the final feed before bed. At that point it wasn't adding anything and had started to feel wrong. I certainly hadn't planned to breastfeed for so long but it felt so right and I'd have resented forever anyone who'd guilted me into stopping. Don't stop! It's your right to breastfeed.

Currently (literally) bfing my 2 year old. Completely understand the benefits you’ve listed. My family are also quick to comment “oh he doesn’t need that now” etc. I just reply well at the end of the day we are mammals it is what we are supposed to do?!

Keep going until either you or your child want to stop. Nobody else’s opinion is relevant.

Wean whenever you like (I did at 20m for my own health reasons as it made me too hungry to exercise).

Just FYI, you can probably get him understanding "all gone" now - went with a 5-7 rule at both ends of the day then told him my milk was all gone when he asked when I stopped.

Sorry you have such thick parents and an idiotic husband. There’s no point arguing with stupid and ignorant people sometimes. It’s your choice. Carry on as you are, as long aa you like!

I bf DS until just before he was three. Once he was around 18 months, I only fed him before his nap and at bedtime; that then reduced to just feeding at bedtime. If I was out for the evening or overnight, he was perfectly happy to be settled by DH or my mum.

We stopped because I didn’t think I was even producing milk anymore; I think he was just feeding for comfort but I didn’t like being used as a dummy and, although I know it’s an arbitrary cut off, I didn’t want to be feeding a three year old. He was pretty accepting overall and only asked a few times before he realised he was on a road to nowhere.

17 months is still very little; keep going for as long as you’re happy to!

Ignore everyone. Breastfeeding is the best parenting tool you have. Why on earth would a mother choose to make life harder?!

Honestly, I wish people like your parents would listen to what they’re saying. Too attached to your baby at 17 months old!? Ridiculous comment! No wonder most people have unhealthy attachment issues when babies are left to self regulate way before they can!

It's not weird in itself, but is seen as weird by many people in our culture.
It is so convenient for lots of reasons, if it's working for you both then keep going.
I'm friends with some women who have just done natural term weaning, guess what, some did breastfeed on their child's first day at school, but not at the gates!
I'm just waiting to see how DC goes, no sigh of stopping at 3. It might happen gradually or suddenly but I'm happy for it to be child-led.

Ignore them.

they are the ones being weird not you.

I breastfed my youngest until he was almost 3, I had so many comments from around 18 months about stopping and if I was going to be feeding him after school etc.
I went away for a hen weekend and when I got back he couldn’t figure out how to latch on.
After a while I just ignored the comments and didn’t talk about breastfeeding at all unless it was a conversation with someone who wanted to or did breastfeed who would be more understanding. My husband was really supportive though so I didn’t have it from him as well.

Ignore them. It’s none of their business and doesn’t affect them at all. I breastfed my ds until he was 2yo and I got all sorts of similar comments to the ones you’re getting. I laughed it off and said yes, I plan on breastfeeding him until he leaves home. Seriously, do what you want to do, don’t pay attention to the negative comments and just laugh it off.

Too attached?! Absolutely not a thing.
I'm still feeding my 2.5 year old and have had similar comments, but I just dont engage.

I am still BF my 13 month old and starting to get the same pressure from partner, parents etc. Many people dont like the idea of BF when the child is no longer considered a baby. I totally understand and feel exactly the same, in the night shes straight on the boob and settles instantly and naps are so much easier when BF. No advice for you, just here in solidarity with you!

I weaned DC1 at 13 months because I wanted to get my period back - was worried about conceiving DC2 (silly me!). With DC2 I stopped at 18 months because she went through a phase of asking for it all the time when out at the weekends and I was sick of getting my boobs out on park benches (after a long covid winter with toddler and newborn - the worst!)…anyway I really regretted it as it is SUCH a great way to soothe them and I really missed that closeness, especially as I was working full time. If I could go back in time I would.