Thoughts on breastfeeding a toddler?

[atait1502]

Looking for some general thoughts and opinions on extending breastfeeding. I have a nearly 2 year old, and planning to continue for now. Had a mixed bag of responses from people so just looking to see others opinions and thoughts?

I am looking to wean eventually in the near future just not sure how to just yet!

I fed DS2 until he was 3. Most people didn't know as he pretty much only fed at night. Of those that did know, some were supportive, some thought it was weird or gross, most didn't care.

My personal opinion is that once they have teeth then it's naturally time to stop.

It’s no one else’s business, you carry on as long as you and your baby want to. I never asked for anyone’s opinion on how I fed my children and bar one batty relative who was weird about breastfeeding full stop no one said a word to me about it other than well done. Both DC self weaned, one at nearly 4 and one at about 2.5.

I breastfeed DD1 until she was about 2.5. She self weaned after I got pregnant with DD2.

From the age of about 1 though she only fed first thing in the morning and last thing at night, so it wasn’t particularly onerous. Plus she was very capable of going without, without it causing issues if I was ever away for the night.

I didn’t have any responses to it, because no one really knew. Not that I kept it a secret, it just never really came up. Although I was the first of my friends to have a child - it comes up now that some of them have breastfed babies.

Fed DS until he was 3.5. He had no recollection of it as an older child. Mostly evenings in the last year, so very few people knew.

It’s more biologically normal than a cup of cows milk before bed.

Lots of babies get teeth at 6 months, would you suggest moving from breast milk to formula? They still need milk till they’re one.

It's no one else's business. I'm still breastfeeding my 3 year old. Not many people know and it's only at night time.

My opinion is when it becomes more cumbersome than useful it's time to stop. Only you know when that time is. For me it was around 18months when I hardly was producing any milk and it was just frustrating for both DC and me.

I also think it's ridiculous that people feel they need a reason of an excuse to carry one. Breastfeeding isn't going to harm your child so why would anyone have a problem with it. I also still use baby shampoo and baby body wash for my kids (eldest is 11). Is that an issue too?

I breastfed all my kids. It went..
1st son.. stopped at 2
Daughter stopped at 6 months as she kept biting me and laughing
2nd son stopped at 4! He's autistic (so are the 1st 2)
3rd son stopped at 10 months as he had a bad cold and went on nursing strike

So there's no 2 kids the same. Some kids want to feed for ages others don't. Do what your child wants (and what you want)

I bf DC1 and 2 until around 3.5 years. Currently bf 10 week old DC3. 🥹 Do what works for you, generally as they get older they feed evening and morning possibly overnight too and it's less of a public thing so it just so happens it doesn't necessarily come up with other people.

Totally fine. It's recommended by the WHO until at least two, and the biological weaning age for human infants is basically the same length of time they have milk teeth. As long as you both want to, continue at will and ignore negative reactions. You will get them, because people are ignorant, but they're nothing to do with you. The only people whose opinions matter on your breastfeeding are yours and your child's.

Mine had three teeth by 12 weeks… and I fed him for another 3 years!

It’s a topic that draws strong opinions, imo largely because of how sexualised women’s bodies are. Many men, and some women, unfortunately have unconscious assumptions that breasts are primarily sexual objects and that there’s something off about feeding children beyond the tiny baby stage (plenty struggle with even this tbh).

Anyone who has fed babies or toddlers knows it just feels so natural and appropriate, and it’s more than food, it’s part of how you mother your children. At some point it begins to feel like it’s time to stop. If it’s not and you are both happy, then great. I fed one to 2 and the other well into 3.

Both of mine decided to stop at about 2.5. Back at work full time so mostly morning and evening. Nice way to reconnect. U do what u/they want to do. Plenty of time

Do what feels right for you both..
I breastfed all three of mine until they were 3.
Starting preschool seemed to be about the right age to stop for us. I didn’t really shout about it the older they got but I always talked about it if asked.
I worried more with my first.. by the second and third child I really didn’t care what others thought.
Why give up something they enjoyed and I was prepared to do. Some people are weird.

Also find the opinion of once they have teeth they should stop a weird one. Some babies get teeth very early!
They are literally called milk teeth ha.

My ds fed till 2.5 and my dd till she was 6 (only at bedtime for the last few years)! She was a scary mofo though and I couldn't be bothered to argue 😄 only our immediate family knew. It's literally nobody else's business.

I had a c sec and milk didn’t come in until 5 days later, found it painful, I didn’t persevere. I’ve never been asked if I bf and wouldn’t judge anyone who carried on with bf - it’s better than cows milk.
As long as a child is clean, fed and loved it really is nobody’s business!

Whatever works for you. No-one else's opinions are important!

I know this sounds crazy but the massively negative cynic in me often thinks that the WHO guidance to BF until 2yo is just a way to keep women at home or restricted, with another barrier to the workplace.

I'll get my tin foil hat :-(

I think you should just continue until one of you wants to stop.

It’s really nobody else’s business. We don’t ask anyone what/how we feed our children, anymore than I ask for opinions of others what I should be eating for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

I was the same with my younger child. It wasn't a secret, I just think people weren't aware. It felt very natural, a bed time comfort.

DD2 3.5. Older family thought it was very weird. But I wouldn’t change a thing. I remember being exhausted feeding her after nursery/work and her silently looking at me processing the day. She’s super bright, fiercely independent and we have a great bond.

Breastmilk is made for him, carry on if you are both happy.

My daughter stopped at just over three, although for the last year she was just having a feed first thing in the morning. I had a bit of a battle to stop middle of the night feeds when she turned two, but it all stopped completely at Christmas when she was so distracted by the excitement she forgot about it! I have no regrets (apart from trying to pump and taking an hour to fill a bottle when the ungrateful baby refused to take it and then my mother spilt the whole thing. But anyway, not still bitter).