Do you have any opinions on how long is 'too long' to breastfeed your child?

[elephantonacid]

Feeling awfully judged and wondering if anyone has an opinion on this?

Too long is longer than you/the child want to. Anything else is fine <3

Wholeheartedly agree.

Ref fed eldest until 2.5, stopped when I wasn't ready due to external pressures, would never do it again. Youngest is 19 months and just started night-weaning (I need some sleep :P) but don't plan to stop feeding her until it feels right for one or both of us.

This is a very contentious subject. In reality I think up to about 7 is technically ok. When you look at world health remember it plays to lowest common denominator so women in third world countries with poor access to food and sanitisation.

for me personally I think about 2 max.

Yup! WHO recommends anything between 2-4 years, so just enjoy and when you're ready to stop, that's your business.

Before I had dc I thought 6 months was enough. Fed dd1 until about 18 months. Fed dd2 until she was 4 and sometimes out and about until she was over 2. If you are happy and the dc are happy, just get on with it.

No. My son is breastfed, 10 months. I'll continue until he wants it to end.

My child has just turned 4 and I don't breastfeed him out and about, but he will still breastfeed when he's poorly, very tired, anxious etc. Feels completely normal but have learnt that I'm highly judged by those around me for doing this.

I’m not sure asking for other people’s opinions is going to be helpful OP as it’s such a personal choice.

All you should be taking into account is whether you and DC are happy. If you are, great. If you’re not, stop.

Although as I'm sure you know just raising the subject will cause an almighty bunfight by about page 4. Hard hat on!

Personally, until they can eat and drink for themselves. I know it's a lovely bonding experience but I think when they no longer need to for survival, there's no purpose to it anymore and one would like to think the bond is already there and strong enough to manage without it.

Too long is when it's no longer the right thing for either the mother or the child.
As long as mother and child are happy then it's nobody else's business

I stopped at just under two years so 23 months. I felt it was enough (for me too) but everyone’s different.

I BF dd until 4 when she self weaned, I wrote it here once in a comment and was told it was weird.

Politely, fuck 'em OP. It's not their boobs or their kid so it's none of their damn business! :D

Make sure you 'flop out' your boob though, that's what we all do apparently ;)

OK so I fed DD until she was 2.

I have to admit I would think anything older than starting school age would be strange, although I accept that I've probably just been conditioned to think that as really, BFing a 4yo is OK.

Are you trying to teach him other coping mechanisms? I have mixed feelings to be honest at a kid of school age being breast fed.

I think I read that the biological weaning age of humans is between 5-7 if they are compared with other mammals. The rest is socialisation. Apparently self weaning tends to happen around 2-4 now (not sure what studies that is based on).

As long as everyone is happy, that's all there is to it. I think it's fine to stop for your own sake too btw.

I BF both mine till they were gone 2, DD a little longer than DS.

I fed DD1 until she was 2 and 4 months, and only stopped because she weaned herself when I got pregnant with DD2.
DD2 is now 6 months and I doubt I'll wean her any earlier. We'll be combi-feeding when I go back to work in Jan, so possibly she'll stop then I guess, if she prefers a bottle (no idea how likely that is).

Of course. He's in nursery 8-5 5 days a week. I've been away from him for a week on 5 occasions. He's happy, well rounded, independent etc. I don't just stick my boob in his mouth when he's not happy.

Would you say the same about hugs? As far as I understand it school teachers can't hug their charges nowadays... so I don't see why child can't have some coping mechanisms he uses when mum isn't there and some he uses when she is. All children do this.

Completely agree!

Two of mine fed till 3.5. But as long as you feel you want to!

I don’t understand this comment, hugs are not the equivalent of breastfeeding, so no of course I’d not say the same. 🤨

op. Ok you’ve taught him other mechanisms. How often is he tired, poorly, anxious enough to need breastfeeding?

Too long is past the point when either the mother or child(ren) wants to stop. It's a very individual process do what works for you and your child(ren)