When should I stop breastfeeding?

[Cosmogirl]

Hi there,

Am breastfeeding my 7 and a half month old and have been since birth. All going well since tricky start with latching problems. We are BLW so the switchover to solids is going ok but slowly. Despite really enjoying the bfing I would like to stop probably after DD turns one because I would like to go back on the combined pill.

I was just wanting to ask if one year is long enough in terms of all the health benefits etc? Or should I try to carry on longer? Basically just confused as to when to stop - obv I know some people carry on for years and years, but I don't think I want to do that.

Wolrd Health Organisation, Scottish Government, and many others recommend continuing until at least 2 years of age to get maximum health benefits. Toddlers aged 1-2 continue to get lots of nutrition and antibodies etc from breastfeeding. The longer you breastfeed for, the longer they get the benefits for.

However, how long you want to continue is obviously a personal decision for you and your child. If you're planning on continuing until 1 year then why not wait until around that time and then see how you feel?

World

I fed DD for 17 months and that was just long enough for us. Don't worry about it just see how you feel when your DC reaches a year. I think you know instinctively when to stop.

Bf as long as feels right for you. It is always good for the baby, the health benefits build up continuously for her. Over a year, and the health benefits begin to build up for you as well.

You're not 'switching over' to solids, you're adding solids. Solids don't replace bfing. You may find as well that bfing feels different as the baby gets older, and starts having opinions - and expressing them! It can be quite fun, a very special relationship with your LO.

You don't need to make a decision now, you can decide when the time comes.

If contraception is the issue, the mini-pill is compatible with bfing.

Just to add a different opinion, I stopped just before DS was a year and so have a lot of my friends. It feels like it is easier for the mum to decide to stop at that point, as if you leave it longer it may be harder for you to decide to stop it - I just never wanted to get to the point where DS would try to pull down my top in public. I was also going back to work at a year old and didn't want to express or feel like I wasn't there to give him something that he wanted. I also wanted my body back for a bit before getting pregnant again. It's a very personal decision though, and only you will know what you want to do about it.