What age did you all stop breastfeeding?

[flawless29]

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!

If your baby was ready do you mean they no longer needed any kind of milk?

They were ready for a mix of food/drink that would give them more nutrients than breast milk @gamerchick.

They fortunately could develop their own immunity and didn't need the protection from my body fluids any longer.

There was a post talking about comfort being a need, which it is, but comfort doesn't have to involve the exchange of bodily fluids or placement of nipples in mouths to be effective.

I stopped BFing DD to sleep when she was 2y2m. I was 8 months pregnant with DS and I think the taste started to be less appealing to her. Currently at 10 months feeding with DS, and would like to carry on until he's at least 2.

This post is so strange. Why mention bodily fluids and nipples in mouths? That's what your breasts are biologically designed to do. Until 2 your baby should have milk. Unless you were raising a cow, obviously human milk is the optimum.

I think if you're happy to do extended breastfeeding, you will get to a stage when you know it's time to stop. Either because your child isn't getting the comfort from it or they wean naturally.

My eldest was 18 months and he only fed to sleep. I noticed it stopped having the sleepy effect and he was getting frustrated with it so I weaned him off.

My youngest is 3.5 (don't come for me!!!) and he still BF. He doesn't feed religiously and if he does feed its before bed/when he wakes up. He won't do it every night and over the past month or so he has skipped feeding. I know we're probably at the end stage of our journey.

Some of society seems very offended by extended BF (mainly those who don't do it yet have such an opinion on it).
I've got to the point where I'm not really bothered what others think. I like the idea of naturally weaning but I know the end is near for us.

They were ready for a mix of food/drink that would give them more nutrients than breast milk

Would you have been able to stop all dairy at this age? If you couldn't, then no, they were not actually ready. Not saying you can't substitute formula or dairy if you want to stop breastfeeding but that's what it is.

5 years! Amazing!!! Well done you that's such a wonderful commitment!

@2pence I think your thought you were being clever and disparaging to others with the wording of this post, but it just screams your issues.

I fed all 3 until their second birthday (morning and before bed quick feeds at that point). They didn't have melt downs just the odd trying to look under my top then they were fine. Sometimes when upset they all at some point aged about 3 said milk and put their face on my chest. I don't know why I chose to stop dead on their birthdays, maybe that was my own cut off point. I could have stopped anytime really. I'd never think bad of anyone bottle feeding their baby.

Exactly! When they have teeth it’s a sure sign they need food to actually chew jeeeeez

Who is saying that babies don't need food? Weaning is a gradual process.

Great idea to start that process when teeth come in then no need for bf actual school age kids let’s be honest it’s more about the mums clinging on then and so unnecessary and of no additional health benefits at that point good lord

12 months just.
20 months and I think 22 months.

Older two were weaned ie given solid food at 6 months - youngest bit sooner as older two gave her stuff when I wasn't looking.

They bf fine with teeth.

Most mothers I knew with pfb were stopping between 6- 8 months and started weaning around 5-5.5 months as many were heading back to work at 6 months. Ones who went back near 12 stopped just before or mixed fed - it was mostly SAHM getting past 12 months.

My son had his first teeth at 6 months. So should I have stopped breastfeeding then?

@LoneFemaleTraveller you've been edited so not sure what you're insinuating. Can you try again without breaking site rules?

14 months and 13 months

Not sure why people keep talking about food.

It isn't one or the other. Breastmilk is given in addition to solid food (at around 6 months).

It's a silly argument against those choosing to breastfeed longer than average.

My 21 month old has 12 teeth. I still manage to breastfeed him fine, on top of a healthy diet of solid food.

Who isn't starting the process? Weaning starts with the introduction of solid foods at about six months but babies and toddlers still need milk until at least two.

7 months - my goal was to get to 6 months exclusive.

Then six weeks with son, couldn't cope BF for hours with a 2 year old. I regret stopping. But he's 9 now so I should get over it!

Minimum of 2 years is recommended. My DC stopped at 2.5 and 3, though mostly only feeding at bedtime or when unwell past about 18 months.

@AvengedQuince I didn't stop all diary, no. This was when other foods, including diary, were introduced to provide greater nutrition and also earlier exposure to potential allergens. It was important because I was lactose intolerant as a baby.

My point is every breast feeding journey is different and there are medical reasons for prolonging breastfeeding but it's not necessary for most healthy babies.

There's posts on here congratulating prolonged breastfeeding but that just heaps shame and pressure on those who either can't continue or want to stop. That's very unfair.

There's a reason there's such a taboo on breastfeeding healthy toddlers and beyond. In most cases it's not about nutrition but instead meets a different need for the parent.

Exactly. You don't just start solids and stop giving babies milk at the same time! It's a couple of years before toddlers are reliably eating a balanced diet such that they don't need any milk.

@2pence
So you swapped breastmilk for dairy. That's fine, but it's also fine for a parent to want a human child to continue receiving human milk as long as they need milk.

There's a reason there's such a taboo on breastfeeding healthy toddlers and beyond. In most cases it's not about nutrition but instead meets a different need for the parent.

What on earth does this mean?