still bfeeding at 15 months dont want to stop but others think i should?

[yummytummy]

dd is 15 months and has always breastfed really well. am happy i managed to feed her for so long successfully. now on normal foods so she doesnt really need breastmilk but i just really love that time together. its only one feed or so a day and such a comfort for both of us i think. the thing is not sure if its more for me or her!

she doesnt ask for it as such but doesnt refuse either so not sure whether to keep doing it until she refuses or just carry on?

i think i would be more upset to stop and whenever i mention it its like "oh why are you still feeding her, she eats really well, doesnt need it etc etc"

so am just confused what to do. she seems more of a baby still as not walking yet and still only 2 teeth. plus will most likely be my last baby so want to prolong bf if poss but not if not best for her.

aargh any advice?

Ignore them

It's only you and your child's business

Do it until it does your head in!

Carry on, and ignore any negative comments. WHO guidelines recommend BF for AT LEAST two years, so you are not doing anything out of the ordinary. I BF my (last) baby til he was over 3 years, we loved it so much, I still really miss it, but I love that he remembers doing it.

You are doing what is best for your baby, so on you go with it :o

I've a friend going through this. Just ignore them and do what suits your own circumstances.. I don't know why people feel the need to chip in about it but they do..

Do what feels right, if you are both happy still BFing then stick at it.

World Health Organisation guidelines reccomend breastfeeding until at least two, and that's not just developing countries.

You will not do her any harm, and will probably do her good.

Never mind what other people have to say on the matter - she's your daughter and is still very little. If both of you are happy to continue, then go ahead. You'll know when its time to stop - it'll feel right...

aww thanks, nice to have back up. its just hard when no-one seems to bf much at all any more, people think i am unusual. i just dont understand how any mum cant at least give it a go even if just colostrum. it just seems so unnatural to have made milk for 9 months and then not use it. but thats a whole other debate anyway.

gwennie, how do you know if time feels right?

Just wrote a really long post which got swallowed, but basically, if it suits you both then keep doing it, it is nobody else's business, don't feel you have to justify yourself to anyone.

Remember that when you think 'is this for me or for her' that if she didn't want it, she wouldn't be doing it.

Mine's 22 months now, and still feeding a couple of times a day (bed and breakfast :) ) - there's no-way I'd be able to persuade him to eat or drink anything that he didn't want to be eating or drinking.

Yep, completely ignore anyone else. I bf DS until he was 23mo, when it was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable for both of us - stopped over 3 nights, no problem. He was only on night feeds by then anyway, which helped.

Just do what feels right for you and your DD - it's really no one else's business!

A 15 month old does still need milk, most people would agree on that - the people that tell you toddlers don't need milk if they eat food, do they not give their children any formula or animal milk at that age? Why would you swap the best milk for a substitute if you don't need or want to?

Read the newish book 'Kiss Me' Raising Children With Love for some reassurance, it's fantastic. I've been really enjoying its arguments for co-sleeping which I do but others disapprove of.

I would imagine it is different for everyone. For me - I stopped feeding DS when I got pregnant with DD. I know you can carry on, that there's no need to stop, but I felt I had to. With DD it was when she had been pulling away mid-feed for a while, then I missed a couple of bedtime feeds for some reason and the following night she wanted a cup of milk like her big brother... DS was 12 months when I stopped, DD was a little older, about 14 months. But that was when it was right for us to stop - everyone's different. I would have happily continued feeding DD...

I'm feeding my 21 month boy twice or even 3 times a day still (morning, sometimes nap, sometimes evening). The subject never comes up in conversation, except occasionally with my mother who asks if he's still feeding. My answer is still the same: "Yep its great. Works for us. Where shall we go for coffee? (or other subject change)" and she gets the message and moves on.

You might find that if you decide to stop, she may have other ideas! My daughter was older when I stopped but I went with the mantra of "never offer,never refuse" and she self weaned so easily and gradually I couldn't even tell you when she stopped forever! Very stress free and painless, no engorgement or anything. Just take it as it comes!