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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

to breastfeed my toddler

35 replies

Trish1200 · 30/10/2011 12:00

My son is 2.3 yrs and it makes him so happy that I can't take it away from him. I've been hopping that he would give it up on his own, but i now suspect, that it may not happen anytime soon. I only feed him at home and feel embareced to tell other people that I'm still breastfeeding.

What are your views on extended breastfeeding?

OP posts:
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 30/10/2011 12:02

Why is it anybody else's business what you do? Do what you want, no need to justify it or inform anybody.

poppycat04 · 30/10/2011 12:03

I think if you are happy and he is happy then frankly it is no one else's business Grin

pixiestix · 30/10/2011 12:03
DawnOfTheDeementedDead · 30/10/2011 12:03

It's up to you what you do.

But why do you feel the need to brag tell everyone?

poppycat04 · 30/10/2011 12:03

Great minds....LWitW!

hairylights · 30/10/2011 12:04

Up to you.

GuillotinedMaryLacey · 30/10/2011 12:04

No one else's business. It's not as if he's 17, do whatever the both of you feel happy with and sod what other people think.

eaglewings · 30/10/2011 12:04

There was another thread on this recently and the main response was, if you are happy what's the problem

Weaned both mine when they were 4, DS never mentions it now, DD asked for a few years why I stopped her feeding. Glad we did as we did. In the end it is your choice

Main thing is only mention it to people when you are feeling Strong enough for people's possible negative response. Many were fine with our extended BFing, but the odd person thought they had to tell me why it was a problem

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 30/10/2011 12:04

... and if he is 17, don't ask and don't tell.

Thzumbazombiewitch · 30/10/2011 12:05

No one else's business except yours. Don't bother discussing it with anyone in RL if it makes you feel embarrassed. He'll stop before he goes to school (probably).

eaglewings · 30/10/2011 12:06

Pixie, don't eat too much popcorn, it will spoil your lunch

princessglitter · 30/10/2011 12:07

YANBU to breastfeed your toddler, but YABU to ask if it is unreasonable.

I breastfed my dd till she was 3 and am breastfeeding 2 year old ds now and frankly, it is no one else's business.

WoTmania · 30/10/2011 12:08

Don't tell anyone then. If they ask then be truthful and just say it's what works for you. It won't occur to most people that he might still be breastfeeding - the only ones who it might do will be extended BFers themselves and so sympathetic.

KittieCat · 30/10/2011 12:09

Not at all U. Why stop if it makes him happy and it doesn't make you unhappy? Sounds like a good situation to me, unless you overthink it. No need to let anyone outside of the home know if he only feeds at home... unless you want to. There's no shame in letting him decide when to stop bf'ing.

Enjoy it and let him do the same.

CheeseyZitLover · 30/10/2011 12:13

Meh, who cares.

minimisschief · 30/10/2011 12:51

doesn't matter but i do not see the point when they can feed themselves

4madboys · 30/10/2011 12:54

probably because bfeeding is about much more than feeding and nutrition!

op its fine, two of mine fed till they were almost 4 yrs old, it was what they wanted to do and it was fine by me, they are 9 and almost 7 now and dont appear to have suffered any ill effects! Grin

pigletmania · 30/10/2011 12:55

This should really be in the breast/bottle feeding section not here.

pigletmania · 30/10/2011 12:56

There is an extended bf thread on the breast/bottlefeeding section you will find lots of support there Smile

Original poster
Trish1200 · 30/10/2011 12:57

The reason I asked is because I have had shock reactions from other mums I know, after my son did ask for the breast in front of them. I'm not bragging in anyway, so I appologise if it came across that way. I had someone once telling me that breastfeeding after one was child molestation (she did not know I was still breastfeeding, just a random conversation, I felt so angry with her comment, but thought it would not be worth starting an argument, as she's a client). I am happy to see that most people on here are a lot more open to it than on the RL. I have been having some pressure to stop from Dh, and even my mum keeps asking me if I'm still breastfeeding.

OP posts:
reallytired · 30/10/2011 12:59

Most children outgrow breastfeeding eventually, just as they stop using nappies or other babyish behaviour. I fed ds until 2 year 9 months and dd until 22 months. I found as they got older they became interested in other things. For example dd loves jigsaws and being read to. She still needs me, but the mothering relationship has developed as she has developed.

If you and your child are happy with breastfeeding then that is OK. Are the rest of your family giving you grief?

ArthurPewty · 30/10/2011 13:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

iMemoo · 30/10/2011 13:04

I can't believe that every other mum you've met has been shocked. I know quite a few mothers who have still been feeding their toddlers. It's kind of a non issue tbh.

NinkyNonker · 30/10/2011 13:36

Yanbu. I haven't met anyone who has bf past 8 months or so so I am a tad unusual to still be bf at 15 mo while pregnant but tbh, I don't find it brag worthy (for those who implied otherwise), I just do it cause it is easier and why not?

TeapotsInJune · 30/10/2011 13:42

iMemoo a facebook discussion a few weeks ago (not mine) had comments such as "breastfeeding children older than one is disgusting' 'they are paedophiles' 'the children should be taken into care.' :-/ Lovely.

OP, no YANBU. Be tha change you want to see in the world, and just say calmly it works for you.

I think with a still older child (three +) I would probably encourage them to feed in private to be honest - but that's me. x