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Original poster

What age did you all stop breastfeeding?

423 replies

flawless29 · 01/11/2023 10:19

To all breastfeeding mamas, I have a 7-month-old and I'm just curious: at what age do most of you stop breastfeeding? I realize everyone's journey is unique, which is exactly why I'm reaching out. How long do you think we should breastfeed to give our little ones the best start? Thanks!

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Ilovelurchers · 01/11/2023 19:27

When I was pregnant I did not really expect to breastfeed for long at all - for some reason I just did not imagine taking to it.

As it turned out I loved it and fed for coming up to two years, when my daughter self weaned. I was a little emotional about that I recall, but in fact it was the best thing for our family and our sleep at that time!

Do whatever works for you all, and I would say best not to have preconcieved ideas that are too set in stone, as you never know what might happen to change your plans!

Good luck.

Mumbuns · 01/11/2023 19:31

Bf first born til 1.5- endless endless allergies to everything and struggles in school to this day (15 now) Ff second born exclusively and not a single issue with health or life. Don’t believe the hype!

Twosugarsandmilk · 01/11/2023 19:45

I’ve just stopped - dd pretty much self weaned at 12.5 months

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Superscientist · 01/11/2023 19:56

I had a difficult and beautiful breastfeeding journey. Within a few weeks she developed a feeding aversion and refused to feed. We had weeks of 5 second breastfeeds and our lowest moment was us both naked on the bathroom floor wrapped in a towel having just given her a bath trying to calm her down enough to feed having barely fed all day.
My HV saved me more than once. Having been told by the feeding team to be a tough mumma and force her to feed and a paediatrician telling me breast is best after begging for a prescription for hypoallergenic formula for a suspected dairy allergy.
Taking foods out of my diet and getting proper reflux treatment improve her feeding for a while until I made a mistake and she stopped breastfeeding. Our GP prescribed formula to see if that would help. She didn't cross check the ingredients with her allergies and she reacted to the formula. They went on to prescribe 2 more formulas she was allergic to and then gave up. I had no choice but to keep feeding. Only problem was for my own health I had to stop and go on medication you can't breastfeed on. We ended up paying to see a private paediatrician and he found us a suitable formula. It took 2 months and an admission to a hospital and a stopping breastfeeding cold turkey for her to accept the formula. This was at 10 months. I loved breastfeeding when it was going well but I also really wished I had stopped in the early weeks. Not wanting to breastfeed is one thing but needing to stop and not being able to was the most difficult thing I have ever done.

kikisparks · 01/11/2023 19:59

DD couldn’t latch so I pumped until she was 9 months old- I was an under supplier so she was always combi fed.

Boozlebammed · 01/11/2023 20:04

DS was 3. I didn't intend to breastfeed for so long but it was just convenient for getting him to sleep and weaning gently took a long time (he has SEN). DD is 28 months now and still bf but only once a day before bed. I was planning to wean her soon but she seems to be self weaning so I'm going with that.

SharonEllis · 01/11/2023 20:06

About 18 months for the first, nearly 3 for the second. Down to just a bed time feed when they were older, sorry, I can't remember at what age though!

Baaaaaa · 01/11/2023 20:15

You child is weaning age, and will have gained all the immune and bonding benefits.

I breast fed my daughter until 2.5 and my son until 5 months.

2pence · 01/11/2023 20:19

I think it's the point where you realise you're doing it for you rather than for baby.

The advice on breast feeding into the toddler years is for developing countries where food is scarce and breast milk nutrition is needed.

It was the teething that indicated for me it was time to stop. In general, teeth indicate that baby is ready for solids.

SoAndSoSaidSo · 01/11/2023 20:22

BananaSlug · 01/11/2023 10:29

Longer than most but been judged for it so won't say the age

Years for both mine.

AvengedQuince · 01/11/2023 20:33

2pence · 01/11/2023 20:19

I think it's the point where you realise you're doing it for you rather than for baby.

The advice on breast feeding into the toddler years is for developing countries where food is scarce and breast milk nutrition is needed.

It was the teething that indicated for me it was time to stop. In general, teeth indicate that baby is ready for solids.

Babies don't start eating food and suddenly no longer need milk. It's a gradual process of introducing new tastes and textures from 6 to 12 months, then still supplemented by milk from 12 to 24 months. Toddlers should still be having milk or dairy.

AvengedQuince · 01/11/2023 20:34

DS didn't have all his 20 baby teeth until two or so.

LoneFemaleTraveller · 01/11/2023 20:39

1st 22 months (the day my second was born and she announced she didnt like the taste)
2nd just under two and a half yrs. considered getting pregnant again to get him to stop as that worked with my oldest 😂

Fi269 · 01/11/2023 20:46

One was about 23 months - she was becoming a bit bitey and more interested in domination than milk!

DC2 was 2.5y - only one feed at bedtime - and it stopped because I went away for a long weekend.

Myrestingwitchface · 01/11/2023 20:47

12 mnths first, 18 for second, 24 months for third (got braver!)

Blippard · 01/11/2023 20:53

Still going at 21 months. Hope to stop at 2 but easier said than done (he sleeps longer for his naps with nursing, so obviously I want what's best for him!.. so it may continue longer)

Mumoftwo2022 · 01/11/2023 20:53

My son has just turned 1 and he has self weaned this week

gamerchick · 01/11/2023 20:55

3 1/2 years.

gamerchick · 01/11/2023 20:57

2pence · 01/11/2023 20:19

I think it's the point where you realise you're doing it for you rather than for baby.

The advice on breast feeding into the toddler years is for developing countries where food is scarce and breast milk nutrition is needed.

It was the teething that indicated for me it was time to stop. In general, teeth indicate that baby is ready for solids.

People always say it's for you rather than them. It's utter ignorant shit 🙄

littlelizzard · 01/11/2023 20:57

16 months. By that time DS only fed for nap, bedtime, and any time he woke during the night. I decided to stop as he was a brilliant eater, loved cows milk and it was just for comfort at that point

Blippard · 01/11/2023 20:58

2pence · 01/11/2023 20:19

I think it's the point where you realise you're doing it for you rather than for baby.

The advice on breast feeding into the toddler years is for developing countries where food is scarce and breast milk nutrition is needed.

It was the teething that indicated for me it was time to stop. In general, teeth indicate that baby is ready for solids.

Not here. I'm so done with breastfeeding but my son isn't. He sleeps better (naps longer) with nursing. (30 mins without versus 2 hours with). Sleep is important for his developing brain, and body. I do what's best for him. He's 21 months. I'd stop if there was no benefit to him. I certainly don't need it and it would give me freedom again!

TheLoveIsReal · 01/11/2023 20:58

2pence · 01/11/2023 20:19

I think it's the point where you realise you're doing it for you rather than for baby.

The advice on breast feeding into the toddler years is for developing countries where food is scarce and breast milk nutrition is needed.

It was the teething that indicated for me it was time to stop. In general, teeth indicate that baby is ready for solids.

What is wrong with you Confused

Beginningless · 01/11/2023 20:59

2 and a bit years for one and nearly 4 for the other. If you told me before babies that I’d feed a child til 4 I’d never have believed it! It was what she needed though.

2pence · 01/11/2023 20:59

@gamerchick not at all. I often breast fed absolutely for my own convenience. It's far easier than sterilising bottles.

Also handy for getting kids to sleep.

Unless unwell, toddlers don't need breast milk.

SamanthaVimes · 01/11/2023 21:00

3 years and 1 month with my first, she would have happily carried on for longer but I was also feeding her little brother and had enough by then. He’s 15 months now and I’d like to get through the winter at least and see how we feel the other side, I don’t have a set end date in mind.