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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

what age should i stop breastfeeding

23 replies

leamac · 15/01/2009 21:57

My baby is 10 months and still feeds on demand, which I have no problem with and enjoy this time we have together, however people are now asking me if I am "still" feeding as if this is abnormal, please advice me

OP posts:

fryalot · 15/01/2009 22:00

You should carry on feeding for as long as you both feel comfortable with it.

Some people carry on for years

PuzzleRocks · 15/01/2009 22:01

I am still feeding DD occasionally at 20 months. Arm yourself with information and don't let people's ignorance come between you and this wonderful thing you are doing for your child.
The WHO recommend breastfeeding for the first two years.
Congratulations, you sound like a great Mum.

hellymelly · 15/01/2009 22:04

I fed dd1 until she was 2 and 4 months,including all through preg with dd2 who I am still feeding at 20 months.I found the "when are you stopping ?" comments started at around six months,.Ignore it all and feel proud and feed for as long as you and the baba feel happy about it!

Pannacotta · 15/01/2009 22:04

We have some very odd ideas about breastfeeding in this country.
Feed for as long as you both want, it is no ones business but yours and your baby.
I fed DS1 till he was 2 ish (he self weaned) and am breastfeeding DS2 who is 20 months.

beansprout · 15/01/2009 22:05

Stop when you and the baby want to. That's it.

fishie · 15/01/2009 22:05

feed away leamac. for days weeks months or years, it is you and your baby's choice, not the 'people'. gits.

beansprout · 15/01/2009 22:05

The World Health Organisation recommend up to 2 years btw, so it's still early days!!

CantSleepWontSleep · 15/01/2009 22:07

The WHO actually recommend at least two years. squonk is right though - as long as you want to.

There are lots of us on here who have fed/are feeding older children, so you won't feel alone if you decide to carry on.

I am currently feeding 2.11 yr dd and 3 month ds.

Lilyloo · 15/01/2009 22:07

When you are ready.

'I have no problem with and enjoy this time we have together'

That's your answer!!

I am still feeding dd, 1 on Sun and am ignoring comments which seem to be much less than they were between 6 mths and now!

bookthief · 15/01/2009 22:12

When you want to. Please ignore the people who suggest you should be thinking about stopping.

I didn't ignore them, stopped at 14 months, and it made me feel very resentful of my dh, mother, friends etc who had been previously supportive of bf. I wish I'd just stood my ground, ffs I was only feeding ds in the morning at that point. It was no-one's business (including dh) but mine and ds's.

You are not abnormal.

mawbroon · 15/01/2009 22:13

As long as you are both happy doing it, then sod everyone else.

My DS is 3.2yo and doesn't look to be giving up any time soon.

tumtumtetum · 15/01/2009 22:14

As long as you like! 10 months is still so young - I mean it would be silly to stop now when the baby can't even have cow's milk yet! Once you have got going stopping before a year (unless you have to) just doesn't make practical sense to my mind.

After that up to you and baby! You need to think of responses - what sort of people are saying it? If it's your family you could try explaining some guidelines and telling them things have changed (if they are older) and that what you are doing is great for baby's health and for yours, if it's anyone else really I'd be tempted just to tell them (nicely) that it's none of their business!

FWIW with my DD a lot of people seemed to comment around 8-12 months but then stopped saying anything much, and when they did say it was half-hearted. Stick to your guns!

constancereader · 15/01/2009 22:17

When people get me with those 'still feeding' comments I say enthusiastically

"Yes, isn't it brilliant! It's still going really well!"

It shuts them up nicely.

tumtumtetum · 15/01/2009 22:18

constance

Alishanty · 16/01/2009 23:37

Whenever you want. I have known children to still be bf at 3 yrs old, although most people wouldn't know it as they do 'cut down' as they get older. Personally I fed my ds until he was a yr and will do the same with my dd as I don't want to give them formula. It makes me laugh when people make these comments at 6 mths. If you stop then, they still need quite a bit of milk and you have to give them formula, surely bm is the best possible milk so why not carry on.

moonincancer · 16/01/2009 23:45

a wise person told me long ago to replace the word should with could! enjoy!

Kafka · 16/01/2009 23:53

I made the mistake of listening to the 'should brigade' with my first child and sadly I stopped breastfeeding, with hindsight, for us much too early. The sadness I felt is still with me today.

Dd who is three in May is weaning, I am doing the do not offer do not refuse method and she feeds every few days. For me feeding for longer has been the right decision. The only opinions that are relevant, imo, are yours and that of your baby

duchesse · 16/01/2009 23:58

I think if you're still breastfeeding at 65 you've probably earned a break...

Seriously though, as long as you feel and your child feel comfortable. Some children self-wean, others need longer to relinquish it. Everything is fine. You need to find more people who are feeding on demand longterm- it makes a big difference to how secure you feel continuing ime. Do you have a Babycafe or a LLL branch near you?

Original poster

leamac · 18/01/2009 20:21

thankyou everyone for your support, I am going to continue feeding my baby as it so special, and yes I am going to feed her as long as it feels right

OP posts:

TaurielTest · 18/01/2009 20:28

good for you. i've just passed the six month mark and had my first remark along these lines yesterday.
how about one of these keyrings?

StealthPo09IsHere · 18/01/2009 21:45

lol duchesse I came on to say something similar, but you beat me to it!

Original poster

leamac · 18/01/2009 22:10

the keyrings are great, just ordered 2 and some postcards to send to those who have been on my back, thanks

OP posts:

grouphug · 18/01/2009 22:18

My daughter is 17 months and I am getting a lot of pressure to stop feeding also. I only feed morning and night and I had so many problems when I started breastfeeding with I am just so grateful that I can do it. I think I am going to pretend I have given up and just keep going until she stops asking?

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