Extended breastfeeding - how do you feel

[Feedingwondering]

Was in a situation today where I was judged negatively for still breastfeeding my DS, who is 3.5. I wanted to know how common these attitudes are - I’ve never really thought about it because how long we choose to breastfeed for is the business of no one but mum and baby, but it made me wonder what other people think/feel. No judgement on how anyone feels about it, I’m just interested.

My dd at 2.5 was in kindergarten, eating a 3 course lunch and had hot choc in the evening from a mug. I find extended bf a bit weird once they get to 2 or 3 years old and are eating normal meals. I appreciate this is just me though. Surely 4 yos don't need bf for any reason?

Still going strong at 4. The first month was hellish getting latch sorted etc, but once we were past that it was so easy and convenient I never felt the need to stop. Once a day now unless really poorly when it might be more.

For those asking why, it's because my child still wants to and as recognised by the NHS and the World Health Organisation, breastfeeding continues to benefit your child for as long as you keep feeding. The nutritional and immunological benefits don't just disappear as your child gets older. I imagine we will stop at some point soon, but when we are ready, not because of Westernised judgement.

I live in quite a crunchy area and no one who knew I was feeding DD till she was about 3.9 ever said anything negative. I was pregnant when she stopped by herself which was a relief as I didn’t fancy tandem feeding. I respect it hugely but it must be exhausting. The only relative who thought it was weird seemed to think bf a newborn was equally weird so what can you do.

DS is 18 months and I’ll stop when he’s ready. I won’t have anymore babies and will be ready when he’s done, I’ve been pregnant or feeding for over 6 years and I’m pretty old now.

I breastfed for 3 months, would have loved to go further but circumstances didn't allow. I probably would have liked to go to the 12-18 month mark if I had my own choice. In my personal opinion 3.5yr old isn't a baby anymore, and I don't find it necessary - more of a comfort only when other tactics at that age should be employed.

I applaud anyone who feeds past 3 and it is no one’s business but yours.

I fed DD until she was 3 and then I was done so weaned her. I was one of the longest people I know to breastfeed.

My youngest was BF a lot longer than average for a few reasons, but it was only ever at home.

IME people got weird about breastfeeding a baby a) with teeth, b) that could walk, so I didn’t tell anyone.

Babies and young children can’t breastfeed beyond a certain age because their jaws change shape after starting to lose baby teeth. People’s opinions are also swayed by a program aired years ago that of course showed a very extreme case because tv is about the shock factor rather than being informative.

I always liked this article

They stop when they are ready don’t they. Absolutely nothing wrong with breastfeeding over the age of 3.

I don't really care.

I breast fed mine for 18 months or so.

Mine are adults now. And I breastfed both till they were weaned. In answer to your OP. I would find it odd your breastfeeding to that age. It isn't my cup of tea, but i appreciate it is your choice therfore I would keep my mouth shut as you're the parent of your child, and who am I to judge?
That being said. I would secretly judge. Absolutely not nessesary.

Fed my first until he was 3 and he was exceptionally needy and a bad sleeper. Thought it would be easy with my second but i was very ill after his birth and my recover was massivly hindered by breast feeding so we mixed fed and then fully bottle fed at 6 months. He is fine and thriving too and is as attached to my husband as to me and hitting mile stones before the bf big brother did. I winder if i infantalised him by keeping him in the bf habit after hed outgrown it and because i was too exhausted to cut him off. He doesnt remember it at all now which is funny given how it dominated out lives and kept me overweight with fluctuating hormones and miserable. I feel much better with a bottle fed 9 month old. I no longer think breast is best or even fed is best, happy mum is best, so do what you need to to make you happy and it thats extended bf then go for it, if its not, thats fine too. But its as much for you as for baby and see it as a partnership when you both have to want it and oerhaps after 3 years they no longer need need it.

I was confronted with "I can't believe she's still feeding that kid!" when I sat and comforted my 13m old in public earlier this year. I didn't once have any comments about nursing my eldest until 2y11m. Apart from my mum, she finds it weird and gets uncomfy and odd about it.

I'm ready to have my body back soon though. Whenever we're both ready though.

Honestly I wouldn’t give two hoots. I bf all of mine till two ish. I was quite keen not to have a small child trying to whip a boob out in public by the time I gave it up but I’d spent about seven years bf at that point.

I think the end of longer term bf and bf itself is an interesting phenomenon. Pretty sure there’s lots of places in the world people bf till five and no one blinks an eye.

I breastfed until 19 months with my first then 2.5 years with my second. I used to work in a preschool and I’ll never forget the manager saying she never breastfed her own children because it’s ‘disgusting’ - couldn’t believe it.

I bf all three of mine until around one when it seemed to naturally end. I would have definitely done longer.

I do feel uncomfortable about older toddlers/children breastfeeding but I know that's my issue (I'm guessing it stems from childhood/judgement)

I fed my last until 3.5. by that point it was usually just first thing in the morning but I would certainly never judge anyone for doing it our and about.

Could not feed dd1. She was bottle fed and so happy !

Currently feeding DD2 aged 18 months …. It’s been such hard work, so sore for first 5 months and I have hated it at times !
But it’s such a special thing! I work all day so feeding in the evening makes me feel connected to her . She loves her milk so much I have no idea how I will stop ! I am ready to stop but she loves her milk and I’ll have no more babies so I will continue until she is 2 or self weans I think !!!!!!! I do think DS uses me as a dummy but now she is finally in her own bed and not cosleeping I am feeding her much less at night .

So long as mum is still enjoying it then continue.

I didn’t breastfeed at all and don’t care how long others who do breastfeed for. The only thing I find weird is when a toddler/older child feeds like a newborn all night long.

I breastfed DD2 until she was 3.5. It wasn’t really a conscious choice, she just didn’t stop and I didn’t feel the need to stop either. By that point it was only morning and evening. Two things really resonated with me:

1. You’re always only feeding the same child you did the day before, so it doesn’t feel weird.
2. She was happy, I was happy, that was all that mattered.

They are little for such a short time, and they will stop eventually. No one ever had any actual reason why you should stop other than a vague “it’s weird” so I say just do what feels right for you and your child.

Was your DD hot chocolate made with milk? What's in it for her to have a cup of warm milk, if she's eating food she doesn't need it surely. 🙄

I'm still breastfeeding my son. He's 2.5. Get comments saying I should wean him. I'll be the one to decide!

What does eating normal meals have to do with breastfeeding?

A 2.5 year old doesn’t need a hot chocolate every day and breastmilk is a lot healthier. So that’s one reason if you need one.

I BF my DD until she was 4 and then she suddenly seemed too big, so it felt time to stop. She's 6 now and I find it weird to imagine still BF her, but I don't find it weird if other people are BF a 6 year old.

I breasted all of mine extensively.
Dd1 was just gone 3, dd2 was about 2.5yo, ds was 3.5yo. They gave up when they wanted to.
I never had a single negative reaction, although, tbf I rarely fed them outside the home after about 2yo; only if they were upset/ill.

im female, have kids, breastfed.

over 2 is not necessary - and 3.5/4 is not ok or normal.

My 2.5 year old has full meals, drinks from a mug, smashes her milestones in all respects and I boob her to sleep for her nap and to keep her in bed a bit longer in morning - I wouldn’t mind stopping but she looks for it and it’s great for her immune system, very few coughs and colds and when she had Vomiting bug and even water wouldn’t stay down, breastmilk would so I suppose they are the benefits I can see!