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!

I can't give a stop date yet, but it's been 2 years 9 months so far, we only nurse once before bed now. Occasionally if she's having a nap at home, I will nurse her to sleep then.

I found it so much easier after 12 months, it was exceptionally easier but 9 months though, when she started eating a little more. We did BLW so I never spoon fed her, so perhaps this meant she took longer to eat more solids.

Slowly reducing how much we nurse has been a breeze for us, no tears. We didn't night wean until she was 2y4m and by that point it was only once in the middle of the night, didn't stop her going through phases of waking like she is now though.

It is baffling that there's talk of bodily fluids and "nipples in mouths" as if it's something repulsive, yet those people are likely giving their children bodily fluids from a dirty cow udder 😂
I have no problem with dairy either but its baffling that someone who finds a toddler having milk from their mum repulsive can handle the thought of giving "bodily fluids" from a farm animal 😂

I was 41.

@FallingFeathers

Exactly. I have no problem with dairy either, but if both mother and child are happy and able to continue nursing then human milk is best for humans.

15 months for my first, cut it out cold turkey due to medication I was on.

second child…. Still going at 19 months, I’m keen to stop but he’s not…

Good points! How disgusting - human milk from their own mother! Why is that worse than from a cow?🤔
I might be wrong but I feel that user is trying to insinuate something sexual with that wording. That's absolutely foul if so.

Sure-no need to carry on then and no additional benefit but yes as suits you

@AvengedQuince it means that most will say it's all about baby and nutrition but the examples given here from those that breastfeed toddlers and some school age children are anything but that.

Mostly it's used in older children for nursing to sleep and calming them down. And I did it for that reason too so I can emphasise.

However, you need to stop kidding yourself that you're serving the child's needs alone. At that age it's about you and getting an easier life, not nutrition.

And unless you're all vegan, then you and your child do eat/drink bodily fluids and will continue to do so. That's just how it is.

I'm not sure who this was in response to but a benefit for my son is that he sleeps longer (I've stated this in a previous post). He naps 30 minutes without nursing versus 2 hours with nursing (which is exactly what he's doing right now as I type!). Sleep is so important for his development, and to keep him happy when he's awake.

At least there's a benefit you now know that were previously ignorant to🙂
Other people have also commented previously the benefit of comfort it brings.

My daughter gained barely any weight between 7 and 13 months because she barely ate but that tiny amount was enough to reduce the amount she breast and formula fed. The food had less nutritional content than breastmilk and formula based on her dietitian opinion. We had to hold out for her appetite to start and for her to start eating a more noal amount at 13 months. It wasn't possible for her to get the calories and energy from food whilst she was committing more energy to moving than she ate.
Our dietitian and HV said it's something they see quite frequently

The recommendation is up to two years and beyond

100% agree past the 6 months ish age it’s about the mums needs as child’s fully met by then and as for these women insisting on feeding 3/4/5 year olds it’s just so un-necessary let’s be honest!!!! As they hop off your lap away from your nipple using their own two legs to walk into school surely alarm bells should be ringing. Let them go….

He should be able to sleep without a boob. That’s worrying.

The child isn't fully met by 6 months. It's recommended to 2 years which I'm doing

@Blippard actually there is a rather nasty subset but no I wasn't insinuating that.

In terms of body autonomy, I do wonder what messages we send to school age kids who are breastfeeding. The idea of a nursery aged child thinking they can lift their mother's tops and have a right to do this is where the taboo stems from.

Ok …

@Mumbuns why is it worrying that he nurses to sleep for naps? It is fairly common that this is the case with breastfed babies and toddlers.

A child's need for milk is certainly not fully met at only six months. Most are only starting solids at this age, and children still need milk until at least two.

Exactly it’s just weird and so unnecessary. If you all say recommendations to age 2 why are you all doing it til they are 3/4/5 then?! So odd

I fed both of mine until they were just under 3 years old.

He should sleep just as well with a bottle. Why a boob. That’s a bit much at that age but ok

100% agree past the 6 months ish age it’s about the mums needs as child’s fully met by then

If you stop bf at 6 months you have to give formula as cows milk isn't recommended till past 12 months and they aren't going to get everything they need from food at that age.

My older two we were a bit later than 12 months giving pump and frozen bm because food allergies are a thing in our family - so we were very cautious and doing food diaries. I didn't pump as much with next two so bf for longer made more sense to us.

It's two and beyond. Natural age of weaning for humans is estimated at between two and six from what I remember. Compare to other great apes.

Apes don’t go to school and children don’t go to toilet on the floor in the jungle

Why a fake nipple instead of a real one?