What age did you stop breastfeeding?

[DaughterofDawn]

Mine is 15 months and we’re still going. Funny while I did have the long term goal of going till 2 (per CDC recommendations) there were many times in the beginning I didn’t not think I would get this far and often I don’t even think about it anymore.

At 3 months I swore I would stop at 6 months because it was so awful and painful and the sleepless nights and crazy hormones made it seem like it would never end! But now it does not hurt and she’s night weaned and everything is just so easy and it’s actually a great parenting tool for calming her down when she is hurt or sad or I need a reason to get her to slow down and fall to sleep.

But I’m curious how common it is to get this far? I’m american and my family thinks I’m weird and is a little creeped out. My mom is very supportive though. She breastfed all of us into six months and then her doctor told her to stop and wean us. My sisters didn’t get passed two months with any of their children because they were rushed back to work and then it was difficult to maintain their milk supply.

I live in canada but the reception seems to be mixed. Some women think I’m hero and others are politely uncomfortable. I don’t really have any strong feelings one way or the other though so feel free to speak your truth.

I don’t breastfeed publicly. I tried once and hated it and never did it again.

Once upon a time I never would have imagined breastfeeding this long and probably would have thought it was weird and disgusting too. But I don’t feel like that at all anymore. I feel like it’s kind of strange to not breastfeed this long actually as it is really convenient. You know assuming nothing gets in the way such as life/work/health problems I very much see my child as still a baby. Yes she is a toddler who can speak but she definitely still needs lots of love and attention and breastfeeding is a calm safe place for her to be.

I think you’ve done amazingly well! I only fed my baby until she was 8.5 months and she decided she didn’t want to do it anymore, it really upset me to be honest as I loved that bonding time together when it was just me and her. My midwife said it was a good length (UK) so I think you should be really proud!

Stopped at 1, we'd only been doing bedtime feeds for a while and it just sort of happened naturally. I think you should do what works for you and your child.

Both until about 22 months. The first one I stopped because I wanted to try for another baby and have a a couple of months in between, second I’d had enough. But it was only first thing in the morning and last thing at night after they were 6 months or so. Not for during the day.

Does it really matter (I don’t mean that in a rude way)? Just do what works for you and stop when you’re ready. There is really no one size fits all when it comes to parenting, just do what works well for you. I sometimes find this is just another thing for women to be judged on (you can’t win, either you’ve fed them for too long or not long enough!). In the grand scheme things, it’s a small portion of both your lives, so just do what works and don’t listen to those who judge - it’s none of their business!!

DS1 4ish years DS2 4ish years DD 3 1/2 years. In my circle of friends this isn't unusual and certainly not the longest by a long way.

I wanted to get to 15 months with DS1 but it was clear he wasn't keen to stop so we kept going. I'm a little sad DD stopped so early but it's fine.

4, been judged before on here for saying that but there you go. I wouldn’t have only done 6 months as I have never planned to use formula and none of my children have had any.

I fed my DD till she was 4, had night weaned about a year earlier so at the end it was just at bedtime. I also had silly ideas about it being weird beforehand but it actually felt like just the most natural thing. My DD6 speaks fondly about dada (her name for it). It brought her great comfort and a beautiful bond between us. All that said just do what works for you and your child, don't worry about anything or anyone else.

It's pretty rare in the UK - only 1% get to a year. But we have the worst bf rates in the entire world.

My first I fed till 11 months and my second till 18 months.

For what it's worth I did stop out and about feeding after a year, after that they only fed in the house, usually just at bedtime.

Dc1 - 7 days
Dc2 - 7 days
Dc3 - 3 years, 4 months

Dc3 stopping was prompted by him coming home from nursery one day and telling me he'd been 'telling my teachers about your boobies today mummy' 😲😂

To be fair to him, he was very complimentary but it was my line!

6 months and 5 months respectively. Hated it and forced myself to continue that long for each but couldn't go a day longer. Probably wouldn't bother again.

9 months and 11 months. Didn't think I'd get beyond a week with my first so quite pleased to manage as long as I did.

About 8 months as I had to go back to work. I tried to express but now ex-husband caused me so much stress that I couldn't - literally nothing would come out, so had to switch to formula. Was very upset.

I only managed 2 weeks as I was in and out of hospital with complications and it still saddens me a little but DD is 5 now so no point in dwelling!

You are doing great, and I would say keep going for as long as you’re comfortable! It’s a divisive topic which seems sad to me, but especially seeing as you’re doing it in private, which is also a shame that mothers feel that it must be kept that way, keep going if you want!

As another pp said here in the UK it’s quite rare. I know a lot mothers who didn’t even try, and I would say a lot don’t get past 6 months.