When to stop offering .......

[Bomper]

My dd is 18 months old and still has a breastfeed before morning nap and bedtime. However, she usually only feeds for about 5 minutes and then sits up. Dh thinks I should just stop feeding her, but I'm not sure whether going cold turkey on her is fair. Or is it just me subconciously (sp?) not wanting to stop? Is she getting much in those 5 minutes or is it just habit? And just how many questions can I fit in this post ?

She will be getting some milk and it will be doing her lots of good, so if you don't really want to stop then don't! The milk actually becomes much more rich in antibodies during the second year so that even when they take less milk they're still getting the same high levels of protection.
You're doing excellently to come this far, and there is no reason to stop if you don't want to.
Take a look at this link and maybe show your dh see if he's more supportive when he knows more about it

Kellymom Benefits of Breastfeeding Toddlers

Thanks for the advice and support. I do think dh would prefer it if I stopped, but I really am not ready and dd doesn't dislike feeding.

It is really nice not to feel frowned upon for extended feeding. When I wanted to go back on the pill recently and asked for the mini pill, my GP asked why I didn't want to go on the combined pill. When I explained that I was still breastfeeding, he looked horrified, said there was 'absolutely no need for me to still be feeding' and suggested that I could be 'phsycologially damaging' my child.{sad]

Oh what a f*ing nutter!
What's wrong with these bloody idiots?
Judging by how many times this has been discussed on MN there are way too many of them about.

Bomper,the answer is to do what you want to do-simple as that.
Many people try the 'don't offer don't refuse' method.
My dd self weaned at 2 1/2 and my ds at 11 mths.
In fact my dd (4) had a quick suck yesterday!

I'm not a nutter,neither is my kid a nervous wreck.

Are you new btw? haven't seen your name before. If so,welcome.

Thanks Moondog. Yes, I am a newbie, so cheers to you all for being so welcoming!!

Bomper,this is a hot topic around these parts!
Check out the archives as well for plenty of 'lively' discussions on nutter health professionals,long term b/feeding...everything in short!

roxswood, thank you for that link. i am training to be a breastfeeding supporter and i LOVE the kellymom.com website now i have seen it. i fed my first daughter until she was 2 and my second till 18 months; they both stopped when they were ready and am now feeding my third who is 13 weeks, went back to work with both girls at 6 months but still fed am pm etc and they dropped a daytime feed to have more in the evenings so obviously enjoyed it; they had expressed milk for lunchtimes but with number 1 the childminder admitted that she had bought formula for her as she felt it was icky to be handling someone else's milk. thoughts, anyone?

I'd have been livid to lhb,if someone had given my child formula. What did she do with your milk then?

psychologically damaging!!!! my a88e I am sorry but what a t**t.
nobody's business but you and your dd. when you are ready to stop, then stop.
I am still bf my dd at 2.5 and 36 wks pg It is lovely and extremely useful in times of trouble (illness/holiday/upset) and we shall stop when we are GOOD AND READY.
even if it IS just habit - well, whatever.
all the best to you and your dd.

Thanks so much for all your lovely messages. I no longer feel like a 'weirdo'. What's so bad about wanting to give your child a good start in life (imo) and doing what is basically the most natural thing in the world?

you may be a "weirdo" but lord are you in the best company

Yep! The VERY BEST company.. :-) I'm STILL feeding my 16 month old and plan to continue for a long long long time yet..