Any other extended breastfeeders?

[MormonMommy]

I'm new here, just stopping by.
I am 24 years old and nursing my 2 year old son. I nursed my other children briefly, but no longer than 9 weeks because of different problems. I knew I'd nurse Evan for at least 6 months...then it was 1 year... and then 2 years. Now, he is addicted to the breast and weaning isn't an option for us yet... but that's fine with me!

Extended nursing is not as common here in the US than in other places, like the UK. I wonder why? Actually, here in NC, NOBODY nurses more than a few weeks. I had a nurse tell me in 8 years she has never seen anyone else nursing a toddler but she praised me for it

 

[Margerle]

The world average age of a nursing mama per child is 4 years (which means half nurse more and half nurse less).

Yes the US and most industrialized nations have numbers a lot less.

 

[Ragirl]

Just wanted to say congrats! I had planned on being an extended bfing mom, but my son weaned himself at 14 months I really tried hard to fight it, but then felt like if he was ready, I should respect that. Hoping to go longer this time. I did manage to keep giving him mama's milk from pumping though until he was over 2. Keep up the good work!

 

[mickey]

well, I'm planning to bf unleast for the first year and beyond I don't know what will happen???

if LO weans herself, of course I will stop, but if LO doesn't stop to want to drink from the breast, when she is older than a year, I will not force her to have to stop it. so, possibly I also will get an extended breastfeeding mummy

wow, never would have thought that the average year is 4 though!!!

 

[Jo D]

I am breastfeeding my 14 month old little girl and she shows no sign of letting up. I am on the two week wait so will be interesting to see (if I do get pregnant) if she will still want to feed. Some wean themselves off during pregnancy don't they?

 

[Lyns]

We've been breastfeeding for 16 months so far, going strong and are TTC. It's taken a little while to get my cycle back to normal I seem to be rather sensitive to Prolactin, but at least I'm ovulating again.

I hope to tandem feed if I fall pregnant soon but will let my daughter make her own 'decisions'...if she doesn't seem to want to carry on whulst I'm pregnant (as some children don't) I'll not force it on her. I fully believe in self weaning.

 

[Jo D]

I am happy to let her self wean although I am getting comments from my family. It started when she was about 12 months. I think they think I am some kind of mad Earth Mother. I am sure it will get worse if I get pregnant again. I would love to tandem feed. Will have to see how we go!

 

[KarenLV]

In Africa they breastfeed their children quite a long time.It's only Western society especially American society that frowns upon it.Maybe McDonalds is better?You are doing the best for your child!Kudos to you!:thumpup:

 

[Margerle]

I am breastfeeding my 14 month old little girl and she shows no sign of letting up. I am on the two week wait so will be interesting to see (if I do get pregnant) if she will still want to feed. Some wean themselves off during pregnancy don't they?

Some do, but it has to do with your production being compromised by the increase level of progesterone in your system from the pregnancy. The progesterone 'cancels' the prolactin signal for you to make milk. Some women are able to continue nursing through a pregnancy, some can't.

 

[mommytashaX2]

I would love to continue breastfeeding my son until he weans on his own however, I am planning to return to work next year so I don't think I will be able to continue for as long as I would like. I have read that your baby gets the most out of breastfeeding within the first six months and then anything after that is more for comfort than anything else.. Is this true??

 

[Ragirl]

I would love to continue breastfeeding my son until he weans on his own however, I am planning to return to work next year so I don't think I will be able to continue for as long as I would like. I have read that your baby gets the most out of breastfeeding within the first six months and then anything after that is more for comfort than anything else.. Is this true??

Don't just count it out because you return to work. I returned to work at 6 weeks and my son kept going to 14 months. And I would not say it is for "comfort," they are used to getting their nourishment from mommy, so why would they consider anything else. And I disagree that the amount of benefit decreases- with the stored milk I had, I have continued to give him momma's milk during cold and flu season (he's now almost 3) and he has been the healthiest kid I know. He did get a couple of cold/flu bouts this year (but I also wasn't giving him mm everday) but they only last 1-2 days and hardly seemed to bother him. A nurse friend told that part of the trick (if you are using stored milk) is to use milk that you pumped at the same time of year- so if it's Sept, use Sept milk, etc. She said that the mom's body produces the antibodies and whatnot that are specific to the season- so the antibodies in mm in November are different than the antibodies in mm in July.

 

[Margerle]

I would love to continue breastfeeding my son until he weans on his own however, I am planning to return to work next year so I don't think I will be able to continue for as long as I would like. I have read that your baby gets the most out of breastfeeding within the first six months and then anything after that is more for comfort than anything else.. Is this true??

Not really. Baby is still getting essential and perfect nutrition up to the age of two and beyond. Babies BF a long time avoid alergens until their digestive system is more mature.

 

[JaysMum+Bump]

im still breastfeeding my son whos 29 months gonna b 3 in Jan!! Im also 29 weeks pregnant and planning on bf the next one. Never thought id carry on this long at all i was like oo ill only do it for 6 weeks then aww ill carry on til 6 months then it was 12 months and now ive decided to let him do as he pleases lol. Hes a total booby boy tho and does it all himself even the bra unclipping!!! he calls them boobies or boo boos and if i make him wait hell go like please mumma please just a lil bit hee hee bless him. I was a bit worried how the pregnancy would affect it but it was no bother at all except say from weeks 5-13ish i had real sore tender nipples but i persevered and got through it and now he thinks its his bday every feed as my milk supply has increased by LOADS!!!!!! lol Im also a qualified breastfeeding counsellor with the le leche league and trained for that when my lil man was about 6 months old. Im really happy ive stuck too it Jays a happy contented lil boy NEVER had any colds or sniffles (could just be down to luck lol) or been really poorly. In his whole life hes only ever had 1 illness which was an ear infection which cleared itself up within 4-5 days!!! I had basically no support and ive never known anyone to breastfeed before and being only 17 when i had my lil man noone thought itd last........but it did lol. Well Done everyone!!