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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

When do you become an extended breastfeeder?

33 replies

Stefka · 24/10/2008 22:15

Just wondered. DS is one now and people are starting to get a bit funny about me still feeding him. I didn't think that was terribly old to still be BF really.

OP posts:
LoopyLena · 24/10/2008 22:17

I know someone who breastfed until 3

madmouse · 24/10/2008 22:17

whaaaat, one and you are still feeding!

It seems to start at about one, or whenever people look at your baby and decide they are big now.

IAteDavinaForDinner · 24/10/2008 22:21

I am feeding DS (15 months) still and I don't feel like an extended BFer, if that's any help

It doesn't bother me to be honest, I think in my heart as far as I am concerned I am just a BFer and will be until he's had enough

RedOnHerBeheadedHead · 24/10/2008 22:24

according to many ignorant prudes people, you are an extended breastfeeder past the age of a few days! I was reading on the unicef website only yesterday that only 3% of 5mth old babies are still exclusively breastfed and I think that that is very .

I BF my first DS to 15mths and by that time came up against a lot of "comments" - many not that positive. So I stopped feeding him. I was so and really wasn't ready. My DS2 is now just over 5mths (still nothing but booby has passed his lips) and i intend to breastfeed for at least his first 2 years and ignore any comments that i get.

So, in answer to you question, I would say after the recommended 2 years do you become an extended breastfeeder.

Don't worry what other people say, just tell them that it is what you and your DS is happy with and it's the way that you are going to continue for the foreseeable future.

Well done!

madamy · 24/10/2008 22:24

I'm feeding ds at 17mths and it feels totally natural. I certainly don't think of it as extended feeding. Mind you, it's only at night and he's tiny so it's like feeding a 10 month old!!

ilovemydog · 24/10/2008 22:25

Think it's anything after 6 months

hunkermunker · 24/10/2008 22:28

It starts about one. Sometimes earlier - I think the earlier someone objects, the thicker they are. There's some sort of ratio there.

It astonishes me that a baby that's still learning about food, still pretty much non-verbal and still wholly depends on their mother/other caregiver for sustenance should be thought of as too old to bf.

Mind you, I'm still bfing DS2, who's 2.9yo, so a year old seems like a newborn to me. And he knows all about food (loves it, all of it), is gobby as you'd like and given a fully-stocked kitchen, would be able to fend for himself for a week ("But I wan' it RAW!" is a sentence he utters often - about fruit and veg before anyone wonders if my 2yo is having raw steak!).

ilovemydog · 24/10/2008 22:31
Original poster
Stefka · 24/10/2008 22:32

Thanks. I like how positive this place is about BF. It seems people around me are in a race to give up like it is some kind of competition. I would say that BF gets better as you go on anyway - he so clearly enjoys it (in fact boob was his first word!). My plan was to just let him self wean as much as possible (I may need to go back to work). I don't see the point in saying no to him if he wants to feed. Plus you get to eat more chocolate as a breastfeeder well that is my excuse anyway!

OP posts:
BabiesEverywhere · 24/10/2008 22:39

Sadly I think over 6 months is seen as extended by the majority of people I encounter in RL. (With the exception of several lovely mothers)

I think extended nursing begins at 1, when the child no longer requires milk as the majority of their diet.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 24/10/2008 22:40

I am a natural term b/feeder

RedOnHerBeheadedHead · 24/10/2008 22:40

besides, we are meant to like breastfeeding, if we didn't then years ago our babies would have starved.

TinkerBellesMum · 24/10/2008 22:44

Personally I think after 7 years is extended breastfeeding because that's not normal

Kellsmc · 24/10/2008 22:47

I'm still breastfeeding my DS at 19 months. He loves it so much I am beginning to worry I will never wean him off it! My mum jokes about it and I have sensed some discomfort from others. It can be hard to be discreet because any time, any place, DS will now put his hands down my top or try to pull my clothes away - which can be a bit embarrassing! Does anyone else have this problem?

UncleHester · 24/10/2008 22:49

ABout one, I think. I bf till 22 months. Still not quite sure why I gave up then - mainly social pressure, I think.

hunkermunker · 24/10/2008 22:49

ILMD, you weren't objecting to anything over six months, so you're safe from the thicker comment

hunkermunker · 24/10/2008 22:49

Nothing to do with being a man, UncleHester?

UncleHester · 24/10/2008 22:54

That didn't help, obviously

BabiesEverywhere · 24/10/2008 23:00

Kellsmc, Many toddlers need gentle guidance on what is acceptable to their mothers in regards to asking for milk. I introduced a sign for milk and my 2 year old toddler still signs for milk, rather than grabbing for me.

Kellymom has a great article on Nursing Manners

onwardandoutward · 24/10/2008 23:14

TBM completely rocks

another natural term breastfeeder here

33k · 24/10/2008 23:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kellsmc · 24/10/2008 23:20

Thanks, BE. I have taught him the sign; it's only when it hasn't delivered results that he starts the clothes-grab! And usually in the most embarrassing public situations!

TinkerBellesMum · 24/10/2008 23:26

Kellsmc my brother's kids who were never breastfed stuck their hands down tops (especially womens) at some point, I think it's a natural phase.

Thanks O&U

I have to admit that whilst I say after 7 is extended I can't say for sure I will still be comfortable if she's (they're) still going then, but in the meantime I will do NTBF until I decide it's time to encourage the natural weaning along!

Kellsmc · 24/10/2008 23:36

Thanks TBM, that's reassuring. Wish he didn't make open-mouthed lunges at my sister-in-law's cleavage, though.

TinkerBellesMum · 24/10/2008 23:57

Yeah, bottlefed babies do that too! It's all normal behaviour, I'm sure it relates to some part of development and understanding, but I can't remember which bit!