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Original poster

To not want to stop BF 17 month old

140 replies

Sunny123Skies67 · 28/01/2026 19:35

I'm starting to get a lot of pressure to wean DS. From my own parents, my partner, and now even friends who I have confided to. Everyone thinks it's weird and bad for me, although I have not complained. Everyone now makes jokes about me BF him on his first day of school 😥

I only BF morning and evening and for naps, when I'm not at work. Never out and about. He eats a lot of food and has a great diet.

But it's so fucking useful. It puts him to sleep INSTANTLY. "Bedtime" takes 5 minutes. I don't have to rock and sing or whatever. It helps with teething. He sleeps 10.5 hours straight usually, but when he does ocasionally wake (around 4/5am), a quick boob puts him back to sleep.

He was a terrible sleeper 6-13 months (he took teething very badly) so I'm afraid to change something that works so well.

He loves nursing late afternoon or if he's overstimulated, it's like a little zen moment for him.

His nanny or his dad do ocasionally put him to bed at night, it's not a problem. I don't feel tied down. But his dad is now using this as an argument to stop BF.

OP posts:
TyrannosaurusWrecks · 28/01/2026 19:51

The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding until 2 or beyond, for as long as the mother and child wish to. As long as you're happy there's no reason to stop. All the benefits continue through toddlerhood and beyond. If it's working for you don't let anyone else interfere

Loopsofcereal · 28/01/2026 19:49

Ignore them, and do whatever works for you and baby.

Also, maybe consider moving house? I’m being facetious, but of my group of mum friends I was the first to wean both my eldest two, at 16 months (wanted to get pregnant again). They all BF for 2+ years.

Bowcup · 28/01/2026 19:48

I’m planning to breastfeed until as I have done for all my children. When people ask I say at 2. It’s the best for them. Feel no shame.

WittyJadeStork · 28/01/2026 19:48

I kept going until it stop making them go to sleep quickly. First one was 3 and second one was 4. The second one is 5 now and has been really ill and one night cried for hours inconsolably and I really wished I could have fed her again.
Its so handy for stopping tantrums, any crying, comfort when they’re ill.

Original poster
Sunny123Skies67 · 28/01/2026 19:48

I want to wean between 2 and 2 and half when he can understand the concept of "no more milk". I think he's too small to understand that now but he's also too old to just forget about it over a few days.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sunny123Skies67 · 28/01/2026 19:47

My parents are desperate to have him overnight, alone. I told them it's not happening. They think it's because of BF. It's not true and have told them as much. They insist he is too attached to me and I'm too attached to him.

I work full time. When I'm home, I want to spend time with him, not farm him off. I love a break for a few hours and we go out at least once a week. Most of our friends have told us we're more social than any other friends with babies/small kids!

And I recently went away for 3 days with friends, my first break by myself. DS coped fine but he was straight on the boob when I walked in the house.

My partner and my friends (who only know I still BF because I recently told them) just think it's weird.

OP posts:
Strawberrycheesecake7 · 28/01/2026 19:46

I still breastfeed my 2 and a half year old and couldn’t care less what anyone thinks. If it’s working for you and you don’t want to stop it’s nobody else’s business.

Ella31 · 28/01/2026 19:46

Sunny123Skies67 · 28/01/2026 19:43

He's totally fine the occasional night that I'm away.

Show quote history

Just from seeing other mums who have posted and breast fed, it seems to be the norm and as I said I bottle fed so I deffo wont pass comment so I hope you get reasaurance here and dont feel pressured. Just keep loving that baby the way you are. Sounds like you are doing a great job. Ignore the outside noise

HappyNooYear · 28/01/2026 19:44

Ignore them. Do what’s right for you and your baby.

Original poster
Sunny123Skies67 · 28/01/2026 19:43

Ella31 · 28/01/2026 19:42

I'm not going to comment on breast feeding at 18 months as I bottle fed so I know nothing about it so I've no righr to comment. But would it be worth trying one night without that feed in the evening to see how he gets on.

I know only too well the horrors of a baby not settling in naps or at night but since you will have to wean him off at some point anyway, could you try one day just to see if he's anywhere near weaning. You deserve the break too and it wont do him any harm just trying. Hope it goes well for you and you dont derserve to be harassed by relatives over this. Its your baby 🥰

He's totally fine the occasional night that I'm away.

OP posts:
NuffSaidSam · 28/01/2026 19:43

Every time they mention it say 'Omg I didn't realise! Can you send me the link to the research you've read that says bf is bad?!'. Hopefully, they educate themselves in the process.

Why is your DH keen for you to stop?

Namechange152 · 28/01/2026 19:42

The WHO recommends feeding until at least 2, the average weaning age worldwide is between 2 and 7. If neither you or little one wants to stop and it's not getting in the way if things continue as long as you both want. It's no one else's business. I fed my first until just over 2 and it was so handy for sleep, travelling, sickness etc.

Ella31 · 28/01/2026 19:42

I'm not going to comment on breast feeding at 18 months as I bottle fed so I know nothing about it so I've no righr to comment. But would it be worth trying one night without that feed in the evening to see how he gets on.

I know only too well the horrors of a baby not settling in naps or at night but since you will have to wean him off at some point anyway, could you try one day just to see if he's anywhere near weaning. You deserve the break too and it wont do him any harm just trying. Hope it goes well for you and you dont derserve to be harassed by relatives over this. Its your baby 🥰

LottieMary · 28/01/2026 19:41

Why do they think it’s bad for you?

I fed my eldest until just under 3, and my youngest at 3 shows no sign of stopping.

if you’re both happy what has it got to do with them? It’s probably more their dislike of it for reasons they won’t be able to articulate

PastaLaVista3 · 28/01/2026 19:40

Honestly ignore what everyone else says!

if it is working for you and your baby - breastfeed away!

No one else’s opinion matters - you don’t need to poll this

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