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!

Just because you think something, doesn't mean it's correct.

I fed both of mine to 3 when they self weaned.

I would have done it as long as they wanted - the benefits to both mum and baby are phenomenal and they don’t stop when they turn 2 😂

It's between you and your child and no-one else's business. Obviously the benefits are ongoing for both of you (relative risk reduction for breast cancer for every year of nursing for you, ongoing nutrition and immune benefits for kiddo).

I fed my first past 2 but my second stopped earlier. I was happy to feed them however long they wished to. Anyone who says breastfeeding is only for the mothers benefit has never tried to get a toddler to do something they don't want to do! And I was always fine with feeding for comfort because realistically who doesn't want to comfort their child?

DOI - am a doctor, child nutrition is an area of expertise for me and so I'm confident around the literature.

My first breastfed until 2, my second until 2.5 and my third until 3

Each time I weaned when I could no longer bear it, but that took a little longer with each child

It never felt remotely weird to me!

"Sucking on a tit"? What sort of person uses that language to describe breastfeeding?! Foul.

WHO guidance to breastfeeed until 2 is mainly for women in developing countries where food is scarce. Once a child is capable of eating solids there is no reason to continue to breastfeed. I would ask you if it's for your benefit or the child's to continue to breastfeed a toddler. Breastfeeding a baby is very normal to me. The only person I know that continued to breastfeed her daughter when she was a toddler is a woman who didn't want her child to grow up. At 13 this girl is very very anxious and acting like an 8 year old. Her mum still treats her like her little baby and her mh issues will increase.

Mine was 3.5 when we stopped, you'll find peoples opinions really ramp up after age 2. I think people don't realise how upsetting and unnecessary this can be. Ultimately it's between what you and your child want, there's a huge difference in feeding a baby and toddler in terms of how long and frequently a baby feeds in comparison to a toddler it can feel quite a world apart. I wouldn't let other people's thoughts and opinions come into it.

@TheBlueKoala you don't think that possibly a 13 year old who is really anxious and acts like an 8 year old was also perhaps an anxious toddler who was comforted and regulated by being allowed to continue breastfeeding until she was ready to drop it?
no, it was probably the weirdo mum forcing the breastfeeding on her child with no thought for the child's wellbeing.

My youngest stopped just before he was 2, at that stage he had a feed before bed only. Did have some comments about it from MIL and FIL but they were wholly unsupportive of breastfeeding in general.

I don’t think there is anything wrong with breastfeeding a toddler but to me once they are past toddlerhood it is more for the mother than the child and there is no need for it. It’s a comfort thing mostly and they do need to learn to comfort themselves without that. To me a 5 year old breastfeeding is just grim, I have to be honest.

There’s a reason they are called milk teeth - natural weaning age (pre formula) is when they start falling out, not arriving

I stopped just before 3 with both. Only fed at bedtime after about age 2. Last couple of months it wasn’t daily either. Very slow and calm. I’m pleased I carried on to that point. I knew when we were both done. It naturally tailed off and stopped being an important part of the bond.

"grim"
I keep seeing this word being used on this thread. Why? Its only purpose seems to be to shame mothers for breastfeeding their child.
You people need to have a look at yourselves.

I know lots of other mums in real life. I don't think any of us really liked breastfeeding to the extent that we would have tried to force our children to do it against their wishes for fun.

Glad you articulated this as I thought exactly the same! So much mother blame on these (and every) thread.

If it works for you then great, have at it. I have a friend still feeding her 3 year old on demand and she has hated it since he was about 18 months, but doesn’t seem able to stop, I think because she finds it difficult to say no to him. It’s not a great situation for anyone.

This isn't true, is it? WHO advice is for all counties. While small and still needing milk from somewhere, why would it be better to switch to cow's milk or formula instead of breast milk, from a health perspective? I just don't see it. Both my dc weaned themselves when they were ready, which was 2 for one and 3.5 for the other. They have far fewer feeds by the time they're toddlers, it's not like with a baby.

I thought it was because the water is unsafe in so many poorer countries, so more infants survive if they don't have formula made with bad water?

WHO recommend feeding until 2. I stopped at that point because I wanted a second child and the NHS won't start fertility treatment until you aren't breastfeeding because it makes it harder to get pregnant and the stats are already against you.

PS fertility treatment was needed due to my health issues nothing to do with age.

Do it! People who don't like it really do need to consider getting a life.

You do what works for you and your child. No one else or their opinion matters. You’ll
always get divided answers. The medical advice is until at least 2, there is no end date. There is a reason for having milk teeth

Some babies are born with teeth. Dc one had 2 by 11 weeks, it certainly wasn't time to stop!

That doesn't make sense at all. Toddlers who are breastfed don't feed every two hours, sometimes it's only at night and in the morning, or before a nap. I worked shifts including nights and breastfed mine until 2 and nearly 3. I didn't need to be chained at home to do it.

As long as both still want too, then do it! It's nobody else's business and their opinions don't matter. Anybody who says anything negative isn't worth listening too. Well done for making it up to two years that's fantastic.

I extended breastfed both my children to the ages of five and three. I understand many would disapprove of this. I would practice giving zero fucks about what others think OP. There are extended breastfeeding communities online for support including with weaning.

My son got his first tooth at 4 months old.

OP - as long as you are both happy then go for it. My son stopped himself very gradually just before 2 and a half. I was ready to stop.