Brace yourselves

[Husbandno1]

NC as this may be a controversial topic....

My wife and I are having a ‘lively discussion’ about breastfeeding. There appears to be mixed evidence online. So we thought we would ask this community and see what others thought.
What age do most people stop breastfeeding their child at?
(I have suggested a year btw)
YABU - a year is way too early, children need that boob for ages to come!
YANBU - we/I stopped breastfeeding my child at a year (or under)

When works for both. I stopped offering both of mine under a year as they made it clear that climbing my head was way more interesting than feeding from me. Wasn't that sorry as both had dairy and egg intolerances so I did not miss sharing their restrictions...

In some ways I'd have preferred my second to keep going as I'd have preferred to share antibodies through the pandemic but he appeared to prefer food he could chew...

Whenever the mother and baby want to stop would be the perfect answer.

My breastfeeding journey ended early through lack of support, I'd hoped to feed my little one well passed a year and until natural weaning from the breast took place.

Well since the op didn't say his wife was breastfeeding I'm going to assume she's not.

Why wouldn't you have a discussion with your partner about it? Even if you were childless or have adult children you could still be having a discussion about breastfeeding. Or maybe they are being sensible and discussing everything before a baby is on the cards.

I breastfed for just over a year with both of mine. All of My 5 sisters had no intention of ever breastfeeding so didn't.

@osbertthesyrianhamster

Is this one of those 'we are pregnant' wankers?

I'm concerned he might just be a wanker. Considering the subject and lack of comment afterwards.

Her breasts, her choice.

15 months for DC1, no sign of stopping with DC2 at 13 months.

Maybe you let your wife make decisions about her body?

The WHO recommends bf for 2 years for optimal benefit I think. Not feasible for many mum's. I managed 16 months and I was ready to stop. I wouldn't be having a 'livelt discussion' about it. You can have your opinion obviously but it's her body and it's ultimately best for baby to be bf for as long as mum wants to. It's great she's been able to feed, many mum's can't. What's your reason for wanting her to stop?

@Throughabushbackwards

I fed both of mine until they were 2/2.5 ish.

Never had a single discussion with my husband about how long it was to go on for. I did what felt right to me.

Same.

For an really informed view, try reading the politics of breastfeeding.

I stopped at 2 years 8 months. My partner was initially horrified at the idea of me feeding a toddler but we both got to see how important it was to our daughter and he’s now a big breastfeeding advocate. He’s happy to tell any of his building site buddy’s about the nutritional and social benefits.

Until the time is right for mum and baby to stop is always the right time.

@HelpMeh

Unless you're the one doing the feeding, you don't get any input.

This.

It is for the person doing the breastfeeding to decide!

It’s not even a discussion because it’s not even up to you.

Whatever works for the mum and child.
My first breastfed for about 4 months and then went on to bottles. (Long story involving hospital)
My second stopped around 2 years old.
Both are healthy teenagers now.

I think it can be for as long as the mum wants or is able to do, and is personal choice, no right or wrong. They say at least 6 months is good if possible, though, and longer is even better.

My son is 4 and I'll let him naturally wean, as nature intended. There is evidence that this will
occur between 2.5yrs and 7yrs in modern humans. There are many benefits to breast feeding past 12months: health benefits, cognitive achievement increased independence, emotional health and more. The evidence based research is easy to find if you are open to listening. I'd advice starting with the La Leche League GB.

Not your place to get involved to be honest, as you are not the one with the boobs then butt out.

Is your wife pg?

"Why wouldn't you have a discussion with your partner about it? Even if you were childless or have adult children you could still be having a discussion about breastfeeding. Or maybe they are being sensible and discussing everything before a baby is on the cards.

I breastfed for just over a year with both of mine. All of My 5 sisters had no intention of ever breastfeeding so didn't."

You breastfed for over a year. Your sisters chose not to - all valid choices made by women about their OWN BODIES. That's the difference.

Nothing to do with you. Will you also be 'suggesting' how long she labours for before she asks for pain relief?

The mum stops breastfeeding whenever she or the kid choose to stop.

Mine were coming up for two when they stopped a first thing in the morning and last thing at bedtime feed.

But mine and my babies’ choices / lifestyle have no relevance to your wife’s. And even less to yours.

I stopped at 6 months. It is 100% the mums decision

Coming back op?

I stopped when my son was 1 because it was right for me. It’s definitely mother’s preference and no answer is right or wrong.

Sometimes it’s not even the Mum’s decision. DD flat out wouldn’t latch on after she’d decided to stop. I would’ve fed her for longer if she’d let me, but she had others things to do, apparently. She’s always been a strong personality.🤣

The more I read your post OP the more troubling I find it. Ignoring the fact you seem to want to start a fight with the provocative title, a simple google search would prove you are indeed correct. The vast majority of breastfeeding mothers stop before a year. Breastfeeding beyond a year is less than 1% in the UK. This however is completely at odds with your subsequent poll.

Firstly, there are numerous benefits to breastfeeding beyond a year and, secondly (and more worryingly) your post implies there is a vast element of choice. There is a very large group of women who would have LOVED to have breastfed for a year or longer. So many people are so badly let down at the beginning of their journey it’s often impossible for mothers to get to double digits weeks, let alone months or years. Then there are folk like me, who have somehow made it to a year. I wouldn’t say I love it, but a couple of feeds a day is easier to tolerate than weaning a baby who isn’t ready. Breastfeeding a toddler is seen as weird and freaky and somehow at a year the switch flicks and it’s no longer acceptable. Women in both camps feel alienated and marginalised and posts like this do nothing to normalise women’s autonomy to chose how they wish to feed or the benefits of breastfeeding.

Maybe listen to your wife. I think she sounds like she knows what she’s on about.

I stopped when DD was nearly 5 months. Front teeth were through & more were on their way. She would not be put off from biting, but only my boobs. I still have 2 small scars where she bit me. And, she used to giggle after she bit!