Question about "extended" bf, I've been wondering about this for some time.

[grimblesmother]

All you "extended" bf-ers, when did your child finally stop?

Did he/she "self-wean", or did you have to force it?

DS is getting a bit, ahem, old now, and is as enthusiastic as ever. I'm just wondering how unusual we might be, I suppose.

DS, 3.2 when DD1 was born (he had cut down during pregnancy but had still been quite enthusiastic; as soon as she arrived he had no interest whatsoever)

DD1, about 20 months when DH returned from working abroad and she became limpet toddler permanently attached to his side and lost all interest in me for a month or so, by which time she had weaned.

Still working on DD2 -- are not planning any more and DH isn't working abroad this time so will be interested to see when she stops. She seems less bothered about bf than the other two, though, so I'll be mildly surprised if she doesn't self-wean relatively early.

I'm assuming this isn't your 12yo?

lemonaid.

How old is your DC, grimble? It can vary from child to child. Kathy Dettwyler's research has put the natural weaning age between 2.5 to 7 years approximately.

Many mothers I know who have let their child self-wean have breastfed for about 4 or 5 years. But they are all different, some will wean sooner, some later. My eldest is 3.7yo and is showing no signs of slowing down.

How are you feeling about how things are going? Do you know anyone IRL who is going for natural term BF?