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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

How long did you breastfeed for?

107 replies

Greengiraffe1 · 19/12/2020 18:46

My baby is almost 3 months. Myself and my partner saw my FIL outside today for a walk. He commented that I shouldn't breastfeed my baby when she is over 1. I want to feed her for as long as she wants it, or until I've decided I've had enough and want her to drink from a cup.

I'm wondering how long you breastfed for as a general "this is when I'll stop/she'll stop wanting to"

Also, if you could give me any benefits for feeding past the age of 1 so that when he talks about it again (highly likely) I have something to say back to him that tells him I won't just stop at age 1.

OP posts:
Dowermouse · 19/12/2020 19:07

Over 7 consecutive years. My FIL cannot get enough of it. vom. Both his kids fed till 2 or 3.
His opinion has absolutely no bearing on what you should do.

PrincessBuggerPants · 19/12/2020 19:08

Still going at 2.

If you want to breastfeed for as long as works for both of you, do it. You will start to give far less of a fuck what people think as time goes on, so if you are still breastfeeding at 1 year and beyond you won't even bother thinking about what FIL thinks.

TheFutureIs · 19/12/2020 19:09

About 3.5 years. I carried on until she didn't ask for it. Far too lazy to fight a little one about something that comforts them

HotGlueGun · 19/12/2020 19:13

Men policing women's bodies. Tell him to fuck off and mind his own tits.

IndecentFeminist · 19/12/2020 19:15

#1, 18 months
#2, 3 years
#3, 3.3 years and still going 😬

Original poster
Greengiraffe1 · 19/12/2020 19:15

I definitely agree with all those saying it's got nothing to do with him and that he really shouldn't be concerned with what I do with my baby. IMO he should want the best for his granddaughter and accept anything that I do to make our family happy and healthy.

Unfortunately he is the type of person to carry on saying what he thinks until given an opinion backed up by benefits rolls eyes (very opinionated on co-sleeping and that we shouldn't do it, even though we don't and she sleeps in a next to me crib. He knows this.)
I think that he has also said this as a way of getting her to stay over at their for a night when she's a bit older, which I'd never say no to, she can have a bottle for the night if I'm still feeding at that point.

When he mentions it again I will be telling him that I will do it for as long as I want, and that many people carry on past 2 years, along with other benefits people have mentioned. Thankfully my partner will always step up and say what we think when he sees me getting frustrated with the comments.

OP posts:
Tavannach · 19/12/2020 19:17

Men policing women's bodies. Tell him to fuck off and mind his own tits.

Yep.

Cuppaand2biscuits · 19/12/2020 19:18

I fed both of mine until after they were 2 years. Ask him why he thinks breast milk suddenly loses all of its benefits and nutrients after 12 months?
These all continue and as pp said is recommended until age 2 as part of a balanced diet by WHO.
It is also completely free and eco friendly.
Also has pp has said they pick up so many bugs in the first few years and not only is it full of antibodies it is also wonderful for soothing a poorly child.

SingingSands · 19/12/2020 19:19

I fed for 2.5 years, but my family thought I stopped at a year! No need for anyone else to know if you want to carry on, it's none of their business.

User0ne · 19/12/2020 19:20

You/DH should tell him to wind his neck in; it's none of his business.

I stopped feeding Ds1 at 2y2m because tandem feeding with Ds2 was too much. I gently stopped feeding Ds2 at 2y8m (about a month ago) because I'm 28weeks pregnant with dc3 and don't want to tandem feed again. Ds2 did feed a lot less after 2years but still 3-5 times a day and more if he was ill/having a leap.

The main benefit to DC after the age of 2 is they benefit from your better immune system. There are significant benefits to you in terms of reduced likelihood of breast cancer in later life if you continue to 2 years. Most of the research on this is from outside the UK as there aren't enough UK mums feeding to this age for research to take place here.

For everyone I know who has breastfed stopping is a hugely personal thing whether it's led by the DC or by the DM. You should do what you feel is best for you and your baby.

Twizbe · 19/12/2020 19:20

I did 13 months for DS. I stopped because we were TTC.

With DD I planned to go until she stopped. She stopped at 17 months

OverTheRainbow88 · 19/12/2020 19:22

Stopped about 19 months, gave the impression to others I stopped at a year!

PinkDaffodil2 · 19/12/2020 19:22

I’m still feeding my 17mo, as well as the usual benefits for you and baby (reduced breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, less tummy bugs, reduced risk diabetes / obesity etc) I think this winter it’s extra helpful to reduce DDs risk of getting any feverish illness - from a selfish point of view because the more bugs she gets the more risk of us having to test and isolate and messing up work and nursery.
Also at the minute it’s a godsend when she’s teething or upset.
I can’t say it’s just due to breastfeeding but she’s never had a fever except after jabs.
And I’ve never had to sterilise a single thing! Back to work at 9 months and she would take a sippy cup with water at mealtimes by then. Never needed a bottle etc.

FairfaxAikman · 19/12/2020 19:27

The WHO guidelines are for at least two years.

Milk should be the main source of nutrition until one.

Maybe remind him they are called milk teeth for a reason and they don't fall out until 5 or 6.

But if you are nursing beyond one chances are he'll only know if you tell him - DS is 2.5 and nurses at naps and bedtime and at least once in the night. PIL only know because I'm so knackered all the time 😁

Stepintochristmas · 19/12/2020 19:28

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at the user's request

peapotter · 19/12/2020 19:29

2-3 years for 3 kids.

Tell him to look it up himself, starting with the WHO, if he’s so interested.

Ginfizplease · 19/12/2020 19:29

Til 2 DD
And 2.9 DS

Concurrently for 9 months

AnneLovesGilbert · 19/12/2020 19:29

Still going at 21 months. I’ll stop when she or I am ready. No one else’s business.

Next time he brings it up I’d look him in the eye and say “why are you asking questions about my breasts and telling me how to bring up my child?”

Somethingvague · 19/12/2020 19:31

About 14 months, but from 12 months that was just one feed in the night. I'm glad I stopped when I did as I think it would have been much harder with a stubborn toddler otherwise, and I knew it wasn't something that I wanted to extend further. Happy I did it for that time though. Now currently feeding 14 week old, but may have to stop earlier this time due to return to work.

You do what you are comfortable and happy with. I can't understand people who get worked up about how someone else feeds their baby (within reason obviously 😅)

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 19/12/2020 19:32

14 months with DD1. I had huge supply but I think at this point my milk began to dry up and so we stopped.

Same with DD2; we were invited abroad for a wedding and the DC stayed with family and it felt right and fair.

Original poster
Greengiraffe1 · 19/12/2020 19:33

@HotGlueGun

Men policing women's bodies. Tell him to fuck off and mind his own tits.
I definitely agree. I hope that once he's been told his opinion won't affect me breastfeeding he will understand and back off with anything else he thinks is wrong.

I once sat in a car in a sales room and fed my baby, my partner said "what, you're going to feed her right here" to which I told him if she's hungry I will feed her wherever and whenever she wants it. That was the moment his opinion changed to differ his father's and he realised what breastfeeding is really like. Thankfully.
I won't have anyone tell me what I'm doing is wrong.

OP posts:
OneKeyAtATime · 19/12/2020 19:37

4.5. It sort of dried up so I had to stop. I had never imagined I d breastfeed for that long. It just happened this way.

willieversleep · 19/12/2020 19:39

I fed both my children until they were 2

HotGlueGun · 19/12/2020 19:43

Good on you Op. Sounds like you're not going to let this bully impact your bf relationship with your little one.

Utini · 19/12/2020 19:43

Still going at 4 years 3 months. Just a quick bedtime feed and some mornings now. Didn't plan to carry on this long, but will probably keep going until she decides she's done.