18 month old still breastfeeds a lot

[stingray586]

DD is 18 months now has three meals a day plus snacks. I am happy to still bf however I was under the impression by now she would only feed once or twice a day.
She still feeds a lot approx every 3 hours. She won't have normal cows milk and I always ensure she has a cup of water.
I don't want to start refusing and upsetting her but I don't know how I will ever cut back/stop. Also it seems to be so much of her liquids (she only has afew sips of water when she has it) I worry she will become dehydrated.
Anyone any advice? Is it normal to still feed so often? I have tried ringing bf advice group but never seem to get through

My DS was 2 in June and only just starting to drop daytime feeds! 🙄 Some of them just really like it.

Thanks! Glad to hear it's not just my DD. Hoping she will naturally start cutting down herself 

My dd is the same, she’s 20 months and a total milk fiend. I think it’s normal, it’s a massive comfort thing for them.

My son is 21 months and has only just stopped breastfeeding in the day because I won’t let him! Luckily he is easily distracted. It took a long time to get him to drink cows milk, but now he drinks it happily, so worth persevering with if you want to cut down on breastfeeding - but if you don’t no reason not to carry on if you both still want to.

Thank you everyone I don't feel ready to stop. We have had afew illness recently and the only thing she would have was bm I think it stopped her from becoming dehydrated. I suppose I just sometimes find it hard when we are out and about. She still wants it even when we are out doing activities like playgroup. I have always been abit self conscious when doing it in public esp as she has got past one. I had a couple of negative comments recently. With a lot of people who think I should have stopped by now or shouldn't need to feed her as often 

I'm in the same boat with nursing an older child in public. I keep telling my self I'm normalising breastfeeding and making it easier for future natural term breastfeeders. The next time they see a nursing mother it won't be as quite a big shock to them.

I do think, however, at this age it is acceptable to introduce nursing boundaries BUT only if it's what YOU want!

I could have written this message. DD is 22 months and still demands it several times a day. “I want it, I really really want it”.

Ds1 has just turned 2 and was/is like this. I had ds2 when he was 16mo and he went back to feeding like a newborn (which is normal).

He's reducing feeds again now but would love to feed all the time if he could. I can't imagine him self-weaning by the time he's 3 which is what I'd like

@stingray586 urgh that annoys me so much - why do people think you want or care about their opinions! Don't feel pressured to stop if you aren't ready, you'll never get this time back. Agree with the pp who said about how useful breastfeeding is when they are ill!