to breastfeed a toddler?

[madmacbrock]

I never set out to breastfeed for so long, in fact i wasnt even sure if i was going to do it at all.. but turns out we're actually pretty good at it. DS is 21mths and shows no signs of stopping, he get what he needs quite quickly, uses it for comfort now more than anything else and is fine not to have it when im not around. At first we had nothing but praise and support then as soon as he turned 6mths it was "do you think its time to stop?" and is now "you really should stop!"
Im happy to carry on, DS is happy to carry on DH is also happy for this to continue as long as DS wants it too.
Im not using it as some sort of emotional crutch (there are days where I cant wait for him to stop).
when i ask why i should stop i get jokes or told its weird, icky or best ever is it will psychologically damage ds!!!
WTF!!! I have been ignoring comments but this is really starting to get my goat. i find it strange that people find such a natural and medically benneficial thing so weird!!!
I have no intention of carring on till DS gets married or something and have no doubts that it will run its own natural course in no time.
Can anyone give me a real reason why breastfeeding should not carry on after 6mths!! (i can give you about half a dozen reasons why its proven to be a good thing) or if not a good way to shut them up for good!!!

Fed both of mine til they were 2.5 and 2.10. Stopped when they/I had had enough. Bugger anyone else, do what feels right to you!

I bf'd till 23 months. Just felt the right time to move on. Was easy to stop. I remember counting the weeks in the early days, wondering if I'd make it to the magic 6 months. Then 6 months came and went and we just carried on because it was easy (for me), convenient and it sent him off to sleep like chloroform.

Do what you and your baby want. Stuff anyone else. But yes, please don't feed him into adulthood. That I would feel a tad judgy about.

DD2 said she'd give up when she started school, she didn't.

If you had met my bright very socially astute younger daughter you would have never guessed that the very mature seven year old you were talking to still lived to BF before bed.

Her quirky socially inept, dizzy dyslexic elder sister yes, but DD2 no.

DD1 of course hated BFing and gave up totally at 5 months having never been EBF.

It's no ones business except yours and your DCs

I have 3 DC and like you didn't know if/how long I would bf for. My first son had his last bf on his 3rd yes third birthday. Dc 2 was 18 months, dc3 stopped last week he's 2yrs 7mnths don't know why everyone is always so eager to encourage mums to swap their children from human milk to cows milk????

liked not lived

DD2 won't drink cows milk, she hates it. So does her Dad.

I've never been sure if thats cause or effect with respect to BFing. Did she carry on feeding because she hated the taste of the alternatives (she hated formula too) or since it's sweet does breast milk put you off cows milk.

At 12 she will drink milkshakes and hot chocolate.

I was wondering if those whose babies self weaned know why they stopped when they did? I am currently feeding a 24 month old who is showing no signs of wanting to drop it....

Your choice. I dont understand why you want internet strangers to validate your choice.

well shit, mumsnet should just shut down then

I remember sitting at dinner at PILs house with family friends who had a DC one month older than our DS, who was 8 months old at the time. DS woke up a couple of times (had got to bed late and staying in a strange house) while the friends' baby slept the whole time. MIL kept saying it was because our DS was still BF - her attitude was that 6 weeks was enough . I gritted my teeth and when we got home trained DS to sleep through the night.

I kept feeding him til he was 16 months, and only stopped because he kept pushing me away with his feet while latched on and it was too bloody painful!

Sod anyone else - your DC, your family, do what's best for you

YANBU. Ds2 is 15 months and will only eat one meal a day, I give him food at evert meal time but he only eats dinner. I reckon breastmilk probably makes up at least 90 percent if his diet. He'd starve if I stopped breastfeeding him. He's just not that fussed on food but he's perfectly healthy. He'll get there eventually.

If you are U then I am too twice over and proud of it. Breastfed dd1 until she was 2 and will probably feed dd2 (16 months) longer. Ignore the comments, extended breastfeeding is common elsewhere in the world.

I think you should really stop before he takes his driving test

Our DD was 38 months before she stopped altogether.

It wasnt a problem for her or DW.

Everyone else can fuck off out of your personal life. Its your child and your breasts so its your choice and if its what your DC needs then thats what is important.

Our DD only stopped after DW got severe psoriasis around her nipples makinf BFing very painful. DD and DW discussed the problem and DD was happy to stop to ease her mums suffering.

She is now 4.5 and a very happy, healthy child who regularly BFs her soft toys!

Keep going and good for you.

I'm already getting funny comments from my MIL and my DS is only 6 months, 21 months is still a baby, good for you for sticking to your guns x

Dd1 self weaned at 30 months, but after 24 months, she really only nursed at home.
Dd2 is 12 months and I fully intent to continue nursing for another 12.
Ignore anyone who gives you hassle, your baby, your choice.

Garlic
I'm 32 and currently learning to drive

I stopped bfeeding in oct when ds was 3.5. I regret not continuing for longer with my others (8-12mthsish)

Dd is 2.6 and similar to yours, only has quick feeds, fine when I'm not around, we still love it.

Ignore! I do get a log if looks when people find out but I have come up think these are brilliant! A blush too is good ha ha

Look not log! What would a log of look like?!

Funnily enough the looks come from people who are just about to start flaming someone for extended feeding. I always quote the who recommendation until 2 ideally until 4... I think this is right?

I would just not share that information with other people. You have no intention of changing your mind, other people are strongly opinionated wrt that subject, so the conversation is bound to end up in unproductive and/or unpleasant discussion. Live your life the way you want and don't feel like you have to share it. If asked, say the truth but if you are faced with disapproving and annoying comments then shoot a short discussion killer like ''GP recommended' (here you can add based on WHO guidelines) or even mumble something random like 'hmmm' which doesn't leave much space for further discussion. Then gently transition to another topic. That's what I do when I don't want to enter a discussion

"Your choice. I dont understand why you want internet strangers to validate your choice.

I know exactly why she is asking, MN has alot of EBF users. No biggie, but she will get more support here than in RL