What are the benefits of BF after 6 months

[Tapster]

I'm aiming to exclusively BF for 6 months. Are there any benefits to me or my baby for continuing beyond that? I think the reasons I have for winding down BF after 6months are that its physically exhausting, it seems much more socially unexceptable to feed in public and with friends/family an older baby (silly reason I know but the frowns and comments I get already with my daughter who is just over 3 months are amazing), and more selfishly I want to get my body back and not leak when I exercise. My daugheter has never had a bottle and I want some time off!. I am also 37 this year and will want to think about getting pregnant again when my daughter is only 1 in November so I would like to feel myself for a while as I did not enjoy being pregnant and had alot of aches and pains.

On the other hand I hate the thought of formula milk - as it is a highly processed food.

Not sure what to do?
Liz

well I am 38 & have just been breastfeeding my Dd2 who is 6.5 mths in the Beefeater !

I've also feed DD1 on planes at ages 7, 11, 17, 19, 20, & 24 mths
I have felt self conscious, but a little voice says to me that I am doing my girls proud & I am also protecting myself against breast & ovarian cancer. I would hope their immune system is as strong as it could be, along with their teeth. Also why would I compromise their health to please someone else ?

My boobs don't leak at night ( I haven't excercised yet, but will be attempting a step class tomorrow am so will let you know !), in fact they don't leak at all - tip - put pressure on the nipple that you're not feeding on.

On the selfish side, I have no intention of giving up until I've lost all my baby weight (8st 7lb, 4 -6 lbs to go).

For the frowns, I would ask " are you OK? you look like you're in pain?" that should stop it.

You sound like your doing great - there are no end of reasons to contine - vist kellymom.com for a start.

My Dd1 ( now 3yrs 7 mths) is very healthy, never had sickness & diahorrea or vomiting. A couple of my friends said are you ever going to give up ? I just thought of their kiddies ailments, smiled & said I doubt it.

BTW I'm not a freak, although I am a bit tipsy !

Try here. It's for bf'ing beyond one year but I think it will apply for beyond 6 months too.
here

I found 3-4 months the hardest tbh and was the time I nearly gave up. But once you get to 6 months it's actually alot easier.It's not exhausting and by that time it is so well established that you are very unlikely to leak.

I'm a 34 year old, still bf my dd at 1 year.
I stopped leaking around 5/6 months and ran about leading ponies with no ill effects.
In the past month or so I've started to introduce her to diluted fruit juice, mainly so I can start leaving her with people.
Definitely have a look at the kellymom website as mentioned earlier, they might be able to offer further advice.
Good luck with everything

Well I look forward to not leaking. I think once she is feeding less I will probably find it alot easier, it just seems a bit tough at the moment.

well done Tapster
i just turned 38 my dd id now 21 months and still bf. she is super healthy so far

what others say does not concern me, s*d them it is my body and my child. i do exercise and it is fine.
also i used to express from early on so always had store of milk for others to give never an issue really, dh always fed her and she accepted it fine, don't stress if there are problems doing this i think like anyone babies resist change to start with, mb introduce bottle when she is not too hungry just to get used to it.
i seldom feed in public after 6m she is far too interested in other things anyway

i found the first few months very hard and occasionally the tiredness got the better of me but perspective is a good thing it all all moves on.
best wishes