How long did you breastfeed for?

[sammyjayneex]

I'm currently breast feeding my 18 week old. I've got 4 other children who I've also breastfed and my aim has always been to breastfeed until they are 6 months of age but with my now 18 week old I'm really undecided on how long to breastfeed for.. Part of me wants to breastfeed him until he's 1 and the other part just to breastfeed until he's 6 months like my other kids were. I will feel guilty this time around not continuing till he's one and my husband is encouraging me to continue until he's one but I want to be able to go back to work soon as I really need to because I've always been a SAHM and I went a chance to work instead of watching my husband have a job, Social life and hobbies. So how long did you breast feed for and how beneficial is it after note age of 6 months?

Firstly well done for this long! My first dd 8 months, ds 3 months and second dd 3 years! So many people give differing opinions on how long is beneficial but you need to do what suits you at the end of the day.

I breastfed until 2y9m. I'm pregnant again and not sure that I'll feed as long this time.

I desperately wanted to get to a year but DS started rejecting the breast at 4.5 months. He's 7 months now and mostly on formula. He will usually have one breastfeed a day.

Feel v sad about it.

Oh if they ever stop I'll tell you. I've been feeding one child or the next for years!

Recommendation from the WHO is to 2 years old when their immune system can take over a bit more of the work. So a year is a great goal.

Ultimately it's your body, and you use it how you wish.

The right amount is however much you feel comfortable with. I'm still feeding ds at a year and I will aim to continue morning and evening after I go back to work.

Nine months. It was right for us.

Currently feeding 2 week old ds2 and fed ds1 until 2yr10mth.

I'm going to introduce one or two bottles of formula for ds2 soon though. With ds1 around I can't spend my life sitting on the sofa with a baby attached. I've made my peace with it

3 days, 2 weeks and 9 weeks well done for getting this far xx

16 months - I carried on after returning to work; the schedule just changed.

I'm still bf at 8 months, but I'm moving DS onto only two feeds a day (morning and night) in preparation for when I go back to work in 2 weeks. I plan to keep feeding for as long DS wants it, but I can see him choosing to wean himself off the boob soonish because he loves solids now. I'd be happy if we get to 12 months.

But that's what's right for me and my family. You shouldn't feel guilty for weaning off breast when you are ready. You've done brilliantly to get this far. It's ok to consider what's best for you mentally and physically as well as your baby's nutritional needs when you decide when to stop.

Well done!

I breastfed dd for three months, then she was mixed fed.

Currently bf ds and have just hit six months. I've decided to keep going until he is at least one.

It's been a lot easier this time around so that has a lot to do with my decision. A years the cut off point because I would like my body back eventually

My longest was 4 years. MInimum 18 months.

9.5 months so far. Am now weaning DS onto bottles as he's started biting... at the moment am doing 2-3 bfs a day, aiming for just one which I might express.

I breastfed for nearly 2 and a half years. Went back to work part time when DD was 13 months and didn't affect BF as she had dropped a fair few daytime feeds by then anyway.
Ultimately you have to do whatever is best for you. Breastfeeding is a very personal thing, and every mother and baby are different.

18 months - when I went back to work I just did a morning and evening feed.

2yrs 2months. I would have carried on but I couldn't get pregnant until I stopped completely. It's such a wonderful experience. Enjoy it while you can :)

I breastfed until my daughter had just turned 2. I went back to work when she was 1 but was only feeding morning, teatime and night by then.

About 17 months for both of them

I fed ds1 to 18m, ds2 at two years is still having one feed a day. It's worth bearing in mind mixed feeding is fine, you can just feed once or twice a day and they still benefit from the antibodies you produce for them.

Well done to you, and everyone else. I bf my son for 9 months, once he started to become mobile he wasn't interested. He'd always had a bottle at bedtime as I was paranoid about him becoming a bottle refuser in case I had a horrible accident or something I could have persevered but it felt like the right time to stop. I found it incredibly painful for the first 10 weeks so am very proud of myself for making it to 9 months

2 years
2 years 9 months
With this next one, (I'm pregnant), I'm thinking at least a year. It will prob end up nearer 2 though.
I find it so useful when ill, grumpy, when I need a chill.
Also handy when out and about with older child. I could take baby to cinema with older sibling at around a year, they fed to sleep as showing was around nap time. I fed through a couple children's theatre shows too! Good way to distract and settle!

I aimed to get to a year, then it was a case of take each day as it comes. DD pretty much self weaned at 15 months. Every day you can BF is beneficial, but I would say don't put any pressure on yourself! BF for as long as you both feel comfortable. Going back to work doesn't have to mean switching to formula completely, you can still BF at least part of the time.

7 months with DS1. I'm aiming for at least 6 months with DD due in a couple of weeks, then we'll see how we go

DD1 exclusively a week - completely stopped at 14 months though as was mixed feeding.

DD2 - is 8 months now and still continue to breastfeed.

Hope to feed to 1, maybe 18 months.

There are some great statistics on www.kellysmom.com in regards to extended feeding benefits.

It's also good when they have a cold.

I bf my DD until she was 2. I aimed for a year but kept going. I stopped because my periods hadn't returned and we wanted to have a second baby. I'll aim for a year this time but will see how it goes.