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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Anyone interested in an 'extended' bfers support thread?

834 replies

lilysma · 01/02/2009 11:14

Not sure what I mean by 'extended' exactly - maybe it's a self defined thing?

I define myself as an 'extended' bfer because I hardly know anyone else bfing a child as old as mine (DD is 26 months) and feel the need to discuss some issues with people also doing this and wonder if anyone else does??

Anyone up for an informal support thread on this?

OP posts:
fishie · 10/06/2009 20:14

hello bfers. i have been wondering about bras and natural weaning. ds is 4 and on about 10 feeds a week. do we think that that is few enough that my bra size won't change when he stops? it has been about the same throughout, except when i have lost weight in general.

would like to invest in more than 2 nice bras but at £30 a pop am cautious.

nappyaddict · 11/06/2009 15:04

That's really inspirational fishie that you are still feeding DS at age 4. I've never known anyone do it passed 3 and even then I think I only know of 2 or 3 people. Do you just feed him at home or out and about aswell?

Original poster
lilysma · 11/06/2009 21:42

I'm plucking up the courage to leave my DD (2.5) overnight on saturday - will be away for about 36 hours. Do you think I will need to express milk whilst I'm away? I usually feed her morning and night, but only in the day when I'm off work with her and I never have any issues with engorgement at work. I'm guessing it won't have any impact on my supply if I don't feel the need to express - anyone know anything to the contrary??

OP posts:
Original poster
lilysma · 11/06/2009 21:42

I'm plucking up the courage to leave my DD (2.5) overnight on saturday - will be away for about 36 hours. Do you think I will need to express milk whilst I'm away? I usually feed her morning and night, but only in the day when I'm off work with her and I never have any issues with engorgement at work. I'm guessing it won't have any impact on my supply if I don't feel the need to express - anyone know anything to the contrary??

OP posts:
mawbroon · 11/06/2009 21:44

Pass re the bras fishie. I am patiently waiting for self weaning............

It's been so long that I don't actually remember what size my boobs were before!

I was chatting to another nursery Mum today, and she was asking if DS is my only child. I said that yes, he was and it's because he still breastfeeds that I haven't been able to conceive again. It did feel a bit odd telling a complete stranger that ds is still feeding at 3.7yo, but I just thought feck it, why should it be a secret.

She didn't bat an eyelid, so either she has decided to keep away from the freaky weirdo and I will be the talk of the nursery, or she was cool with it.

mawbroon · 11/06/2009 21:47

Cross posts!

I would reckon that you will be fine being away for that long tbh if you are only feeding morning/night, but i guess it's a case of wait and see.

Are you able to hand express a bit off if you get uncomfortable? Shame just to ditch it down the sink or whatever, but less hassle than bringing a pump?

Your supply should be just fine, it is so well established now.

I hope you are ok about it. I haven't left my ds yet and am not looking forward to it, even though my rational side says he will be just fine!!

Original poster
lilysma · 11/06/2009 21:52

Thanks. I am actually feeding more than morning and night on some days but not on others. I am sort of okay about it and sort of upset. She'll be with her dad so there isn't really a reason for her not to be okay (so I tell myself rationally), but emotionally I feel v anxious and . Re the practical side I have quite a small light pump so i guess I'll just take it in case....wish me luck!

OP posts:
Original poster
lilysma · 11/06/2009 21:52

Thanks. I am actually feeding more than morning and night on some days but not on others. I am sort of okay about it and sort of upset. She'll be with her dad so there isn't really a reason for her not to be okay (so I tell myself rationally), but emotionally I feel v anxious and . Re the practical side I have quite a small light pump so i guess I'll just take it in case....wish me luck!

OP posts:
mawbroon · 12/06/2009 09:37

Good luck lilysma.

We seem to be making progress on the sleeping front finally. We stopped night feeding around the beginning of April when I was ill, and now ds is quite consistently waking up once in the night for a pee, then sleeping until 6ish.

Last night he had a 20min snooze at 4.30pm, which knocked bedtime right off track. He went to bed at 9pm, woke at 5.30am for a pee then went back to sleep until 9am! That is the same pattern as he has been doing, but just a couple of hours later, so I am really hoping that things are going to stay like this. I am enjoying getting a bit more sleep, and in my own bed! [smile[

MamaMaiasaura · 15/06/2009 22:30

can i join please, ds2 is only coming up 18 months but i plan to let him self wean so could be feeding still for years. Loving it though, it makes him so happy and content. Have been having fertility treatment (clomid) but stopped now as needed more med (metformin) which could go through milk to ds2. Not ovulated as have PCOS but my hormone levels indicate that bfeeding not affecting and i am producing oestrogen. Anyway (sorry for waffling) we are continuing ttc just without intervention atm. Was a real dilemma as to wether to wean in order to ttc but it just didnt feel right. Feel like a wieght has lifted in that we are sure of continuing to nurse ds2 and invested in mothering, nursing your toddler book. Fab read i think

Any way ( sorry for long post with crappy grammer) but please can i join?

mrsgamp · 16/06/2009 15:10

Hello, Awen, welcome to the thread.

Do you mind me asking, did you conceive your son without intervention? I know nothing about PCOS, but am one of the - many! - examples of the ease of getting pregnant whilst b/f-ing! I am 22 weeks pg and still nursing DD,3.5 and DS,19 months! May have to grow an extra breast for October!

In 'real life' I only know of two other 'extended' b/feeders, both of whom have stopped now, so I love to know I'm not alone!!

Good luck with ttc.....

Original poster
lilysma · 16/06/2009 20:45

Just to let y'all know that my overnight trip away from DD went better than I could have hoped. I went from 11am on saturday to 5 pm on sunday - the longest I have ever left her for. DD apparently asked for me quite a lot but was satisfied with the explanation that i would be back tomorrow/later. A couple of times she had to be distracted with ice lolly or TV , but basically she had a great time with her dad having a fun packed weekend and was fine in the morning without bf .

I thought I'd be upset by it but actually was fine as I psyched myself up for it and kept busy. No sore boobs and didn't have to pump, despite the fact that I normally feed her evening, morning and plenty in between!

Now I'm wondering what I was so worried about and concluding that I just have a large ego ('I'm so irreplaceable, she'll never cope without me' drama queen icon ). Having said that I think she was ready and wouldn't have been a couple of months ago...

..anyway, thanks for all your encouragement, which really helped

OP posts:
nappyaddict · 16/06/2009 22:29

Is she weaned now then or are still continuing with BF?

MamaMaiasaura · 16/06/2009 22:55

Mrsgamp - hi, I conceived ds1 without intervention but ds2 was first round of clomid (though it didnt make me ov according to the blood tests, but then found out i was preg). COngratualtions on your pregnancy and at the extra boob.

Does anyone elses lo swap frequently from breast to breast during nursing, almost like sampling each one several times. He gets upset if i cover one. He is also very enthuisastic about the whole nursing thing and nap time can last around 2 hours with nursing during as well, then when he wakes he needs another little bit to wake up.

lilysma - glad the break away went ok for you.

nappyaddict · 16/06/2009 23:19

Awen DS did that!! makes public feeding a bit tricky

mawbroon · 17/06/2009 13:20

Yes, my ds did the bobbing from one side to the other. I can assure you that it's just a phase. I have heard other mums complaining about this too, it's pretty common I think. They get more milk that way...

nappyaddict · 17/06/2009 15:11

I used to get both boobs out and cover up with a cardigan, muslin, or blanket over the top of DS.

ommmward · 17/06/2009 17:41

well done lilysma! did you have porn star huge boobs when you got back? [btdt emoticon]

liahgen · 17/06/2009 17:43

Hi all,

What is the definition of an extended bfer please?

I'm feeding dd who was 2 at beg of May, starting to think it might be intefering with ttc though so am wavering about continuing.

Haven't read all thread, will try and catch up later this eve

WoTmania · 17/06/2009 19:17

I think most people regard it as over 1 yr.

off topic are you still thinking about a Homebirth if you do have another?

BouncingTurtle · 17/06/2009 19:50

Hey Awen! Sounds like you are describing my ds!! Think there is only a couple of days between yours and mine?

liahgen · 17/06/2009 20:08

wotmania is the hb question for me?

If so, yes. Do I know you?

WoTmania · 17/06/2009 20:43

Liahgen yes it was. You don't know me although we have crossed path om MN once or twice. You did however start a thread in childbirth re: Homebirth and I said about HB group at the Pippin on London road.
I also live in the same area as you I believe

ChairmumMiaow · 17/06/2009 20:48

My (17mo) DS has never got into the both boobs thing. I have a friend whose DS is a nipple twiddler and I really don't want to go there so I have insisted on only one side being out at a time (except in the bath where its a bit hard to stop him swapping!) so he can't get to the other to twiddle. He does try sometimes, but he's got the idea as he now pops up and points to the other side, and has been know to try to tuck one boob away while I'm getting the other out

liahgen · 17/06/2009 20:58

ah ok, yes i remember the thread. Not bloody preggers yet though. I will def attend once i am up the duff. Thought we might be lucky this month but feels like af right at the door.

Sorry for hijack

So I am indeed an extended breastfeeder.