Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Original poster

what's the longest you've breastfed for?

162 replies

weightstrugglinmum · 01/07/2023 20:58

Hi all.

I'm just wondering what the longest times you have breastfed for? A friend has mentioned today that she still breastfeeds her 4 year old every night before bed, just got me thinking thats all, and out of curiosity I thought I'd put it out here, to hear about people's experiences!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
JaninaDuszejko · 01/07/2023 21:10

DD1 15 months, DD2 2y10m. With both girls I was pregnant when they stopped BFing, DD2 gave me a running commentary of how well my boobs were working 🙄. I BF DS for 4 years, he had a CMPA so I had a reason to keep BFing, he lost interest once he grew out of his allergy.

Apricotflanday · 01/07/2023 21:13

Four years and three months.

Original poster
weightstrugglinmum · 01/07/2023 21:14

Just another thought then, are you/were you open with people that you were still breastfeeding what might be regarded as an older child? It feels like this is something to be celebrated, if that makes sense!

When I started my breastfeeding journey with my son, I got quite interested in people's experiences around breastfeeding e.g. in news articles about mum's experiences of feeding in public places (often reading about all these things in the wee hour s whilst doing the many night feeds!).

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

4 year olds Families General parenting
cadetmumstress · 01/07/2023 21:15

14 months for each DC. They both naturally weaned at this age. I stopped offering and they didn't ask. Suited all of us rather nicely.

Original poster
weightstrugglinmum · 01/07/2023 21:17

That's so interesting about the cancer stats too

OP posts:
bakewellbride · 01/07/2023 21:20

16.5 months.

I wanted to do similar with my second baby but at 1 she just decided that was the end of that and out of nowhere just never breastfed again. It was a shock!

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 01/07/2023 21:21

12 months and 14 months

SamanthaVimes · 01/07/2023 21:22

DD turns 3 in a few days time. She still has one feed a day but I’m planning to stop in august at some point.
Her little brother is 11 months and I’d like to keep going through winter at least as he’s starting nursery so undoubtedly will be a snot factory for months!

Tiredmummaoftwo · 01/07/2023 21:27

Until they started biting! So both DD & DS about 8 months x

mondaytosunday · 01/07/2023 21:37

First for five months (when I returned to work), second for a year, when she self weaned.

Almostwelsh · 01/07/2023 21:37

7 years in total over 3 children. Tandem fed a baby and a toddler for over a year.

Snugglemonkey · 01/07/2023 21:47

3 years 9 months for dc1. Breastfeeding dc2 currently, but she is not as keen as DC1, so we shall see. I just go with feeding on demand.

SquigglePigs · 01/07/2023 21:48

DD is 4 and a half and we're still going. Not every day but most days before bed, just for a few minutes. Ideally I was planning to wean before she stayed school in September but not sure I'm going to manage it.

I hadn't planned on still doing so but we were both happy and so there was never a strong reason to push weaning completely.

MaxwellCat · 01/07/2023 21:50

I breastfed for 10 years with no break between but 4 different kids 😂 oldest was 4

Meeb · 01/07/2023 21:51

My first was 2.5 ish and feeding before nap/ bedtime. Although that was mostly at my instigation to stop as I was in the early stages of pregnancy with number two and feeling v sensitive. Would probably still be feeding now given the chance!

stargirl1701 · 01/07/2023 21:52

DD2 who fed until 5 and half years.

gogomoto · 01/07/2023 21:53

17 months

ManyATrueWord · 01/07/2023 21:53

I thought my child would self wean. I was so wrong. Cut the child off the night before the fourth birthday. You just carry on until stopping becomes easier than not stopping. Lots of people.with two carried on longer because number 2 was feeding and they didn't want to exclude number 1.

FindingTheFox · 01/07/2023 21:54

Both self weaned. DS was 27 months, I was pregnant and he suddenly announced "milk all gone" and that was that. DD was 3.5, we stayed with my parents for a couple of nights and she decided she'd rather sleep in nanny's bed, and didn't come to me for a feed.

Happygerbil · 01/07/2023 21:54

Around 11-12 months with both. Stopped Around same time I went back to work.

Emmamoo89 · 01/07/2023 21:54

I'll be breastfeeding my son till he's 2 maybe wean sooner as I'm pregnant and don't want to be breastfeeding two babas

FindingTheFox · 01/07/2023 21:57

I was open about it. Fed them whenever and wherever they wanted. Never felt judged. I had several friends who also bf into toddlerhood and beyond though so it felt completely normal to me.

Glitterstars · 01/07/2023 21:57

Currently 8 months will prob stop at a year as going back to work and think it will just happen naturally

WomensLandArmy · 01/07/2023 21:59

11 months, 21 months and 3.5 years. All combi fed at the start due to problems with latch and supply. Youngest, now 8, remembers and still says he would like milk occasionally. Its a firm no from me, finished with that bit of my life.

TediousTim · 01/07/2023 22:00

3yrs 10 months. I admit that in the end I bribed her to wean with the promise of a new a doll. It took about 2 weeks.