extended bf-ers

[Wnt2beAMom]

Congrats on one year of bf! I found at that age food intake really varies does he feed himself? For us we always offered food regularly and let him choose if/how much to eat and it went really well

My cycle came back at 14.5 months but I was trying to get it to start by having a 6 hour stretch of not nursing overnight, I think it wouldhave taken way longer if iI had just let him keep nursing ad much as he wanted

Thanks I really love breastfeeding Congrats to you for tandem nursing! (And Bbubble) I kind of hope I can do that when I have another little one
We offer lots and he does prefer finger foods, but a lot goes on the floor. DH is still a bit of a scareddy cat about finger foods though and thinks ds will choke. DS's favourite food seems to be scrambled eggs. So he has those pretty much every morning lol

 

[twobecome3]

we are down to 2-3 quick sessions a day, I'm really finding it awful at this point so I'm glad we are almost done!

 

[apple_20]

How is everyone? We are still bf though in the week just at night. She still asks more at the weekend when I am around. It's a great method to sooth tantrums and bumps etc.

I would like her to night wean though.

Any tips?

 

[luna_19]

We loosely followed the Jay Gordon night weaning method, I think it works really well if baby is ready. We started out with a 6 hour period at night where I would try to get him back to sleep without nursing and only a quick nurse if he really couldn't settle. Once we got those 6 hours I just added more time on until he could go all night. The whole process took a few months

 

[Cangaroo]

Haha, it hasn't even occurred to me that this might be considered extended breastfeeding by some yet! DD2 is 16 months, and since her sister didn't wean until just after her 4th birthday (with gentle encouragement from me), it still feels very early in our nursing relationship to me. I suspect she'll feed until she's at least 3, but we'll see. I no longer express on my work days, so we go 11 hours or so between feeds 3 days per week. She feeds overnight (co-sleeping) and several times a day on our days together. I can't imagine not having that to use as a tool for calming her for injuries/frights/frustration.

 

[Bevziibubble]

Still the same here with the feeding. Holly still feeds a lot day and night but I cut the feeds short each time or she would be on it all day if I let her!

 

[Mafi419]

Hi there I thought we were breastfeeding only, but apparently a lot of people lately made it clear that we are extended breastfeeders Two days ago I heard the first "he is too old to breastfeed and you should stop" from a nurse!! I didn't ask anything! Are you experiencing this? How do you reply? I'm so sick of people getting so bothered by toddlers nursing!

 

[luna_19]

The world health organization recommends bf to two years and beyond, can't believe a nurse would say that! If someone comments I just say something like this is working for us or we're just not done yet then change the subject

 

[Marumi]

I usually share the science about the natural age of weaning, which is that a child's mouth palate was designed to be able to nurse until 7 and the natural biological age of weaning is between 2-6. Puzzles people but I want them to learn this fact.

We are nursing 2 times a day still and my nursing aversion is up and down. Same with the nipple pain. My son is waaaaay to craxy over milk. Like a cat on catnip. Seriously so addicted and constantly getting his hands in there, rubbing against me...he says "I loooooove the milkies and I looooove my baby"
He can smell the milk too...I think all that was intended for the baby. Now I know how nature gets babied hooked on BM lol.
I hope it dies down a bit for him...he is 4 1/2.

 

[Mafi419]

The world health organization recommends bf to two years and beyond, can't believe a nurse would say that! If someone comments I just say something like this is working for us or we're just not done yet then change the subject

I told her that, and I told her that not only the WHO but also the Portuguese equivalent to NHR (I live in Portugal), and the portuguese pediatric society recommend breastfeeding until at least 2 years old, and she just shake her head and started on how he is too old to nurse and now he just does it for cuddles and I just walked away with him on my breast lol and I reported the situation because I think it's surreal. But this isn't uncommon at all, I don't know if it's not the same in the UK, but I had doctors rolling their eyes at me when finding out I was still nursing as early as my baby was 9 months old. But didn't didn't dare to say anything at the time...it's so weird, in Portugal there's a major pressure for a women to breastfeed (to an extent that I don't find right or acceptable), but then all of the sudden the baby is too old to be breastfed...it's like you can't win!

I've met many mothers that weaned their toddlers abruptly at 2 years old for medical (and family) pressure, and they would hear things like "you are damaging your child/being selfish/not letting him/her grow-up/heis going to have major mental issues"...it's insane! And if I'm not asking their opinion, why to they feel compelled to give it anyway?

 

[Wnt2beAMom]

That's terrible what that nurse said to you!! But you seem to have handled it well! I'm glad I havent experienced that yet....

I agree about mothers being pressured to breastfeed and then expected to stop right when you get the hang of it it seems....

I was wondering if you ladies could share any insight on a question I posted but I'm not getting any responses...My son is 14 months and only 18lb. His head and height as stayed on the same growth curve but weight is now off the chart and started at 50%tile....He has never really taken to food....he nurses like all night and day....and I wonder if nursing at night fills him up too much to accept food as well as nursings during the day...


Here is my question....
"Hi,
I would really like to know if anyone has experience with this?

Dr had him on prevacids for 2 months to see if that was why he refused eating solids, but it didn't change a thing and he only gained 2oz in that 2 months (12months-14months)

Dr now took him off medication but wants him eating more food.

We cosleep and he nurses probably 5x in a 12hour stretch then another 5x during the daytime 12hour stretch....but refuses most food. He will snack on gerber puffs and arrowroot cookies. We do BLW with any other foods.

He is very very active and intelligent. Dr said "If he wasn't undressed and I didn't know his weight right now I would see no problem with him"

Anyone with experience? "

 

[luna_19]

I wonder if your Dr is using a CDC growth chart? My son is 2.5 years and 26lbs, I doubt he was even 18lbs at 14 months and had been between 15 and 25% since a few weeks old. Personally I wouldn't worry about him filling up on BM at this age, babies are meant to be at about 75%bm(or formula) at 1 year them gradually increase solids and decrease BM from there. If he is hitting milestones and continues to grow and develop I would just keep offering healthy foods and nursing on demand. My son had always been on the small side so I always offer lots of healthy fats like full fat yogurt, avocado, nut butters, eggs, cheese. Also I know some babies especially the really chubby ones often really pack on the pounds in the first few months then continue to gain height but their weight stays basically the same for quite a while

 

[Mafi419]

That's terrible what that nurse said to you!! But you seem to have handled it well! I'm glad I havent experienced that yet....

I agree about mothers being pressured to breastfeed and then expected to stop right when you get the hang of it it seems....

I was wondering if you ladies could share any insight on a question I posted but I'm not getting any responses...My son is 14 months and only 18lb. His head and height as stayed on the same growth curve but weight is now off the chart and started at 50%tile....He has never really taken to food....he nurses like all night and day....and I wonder if nursing at night fills him up too much to accept food as well as nursings during the day...


Here is my question....
"Hi,
I would really like to know if anyone has experience with this?

Dr had him on prevacids for 2 months to see if that was why he refused eating solids, but it didn't change a thing and he only gained 2oz in that 2 months (12months-14months)

Dr now took him off medication but wants him eating more food.

We cosleep and he nurses probably 5x in a 12hour stretch then another 5x during the daytime 12hour stretch....but refuses most food. He will snack on gerber puffs and arrowroot cookies. We do BLW with any other foods.

He is very very active and intelligent. Dr said "If he wasn't undressed and I didn't know his weight right now I would see no problem with him"

Anyone with experience? "

I always read lots of posts from mums that worry that their child is not eating enough or at all at this age. When the child still nurses, usually doctors blame it on that, but in my opinion there's no relation at all. Some children only start eating solid foods (and taking a real interest on it) closer to 2 years old. And between 1 and 2 years old there's physiological anorexia that affects almost every child to some extent - which means that most toddlers refuse solid food to some extent between 1 and 2 years old. My LO used to eat very well and for the last month has been giving me trouble with it. He also sleeps with me and nurses frequently during the night, but he used to eat really well and now he just refuses a lot of what I offer him, so I think breastfeeding has nothing to do with the refusal. actually I think that breastfeeding a toddler that doesn't eat very well is actually a good thing, because at least you know they are getting some nutrients and vitamins. There's a very good book about this subject "mi nino no me come" (the English version is: "my child won't eat") from Carlos Gonzalez.

 

[Larkspur]

Just thought I'd join this thread for what will be my last week of breastfeeding. I've decided to wean both my kids at the same time, and have told them the last day of mummy milk is next Sunday ... My daughter is almost 2 and my son is 3y8m.

I am having mixed feelings... On one hand I am really, really ready to be done, and on the other I am terribly sad at the thought that this beautiful part of our relationship is about to end.

I am not worried about ending cold turkey from my side as I have hardly any milk left, but I wonder how my kids will take it. Part of me thinks they'll be absolutely fine, another part wonders if it will be a massive drama.

No especial point to this post... Just looking to share with people who understand.

 

[luna_19]

I hope it goes smoothly nursing for almost 4 years is a huge accomplishment!

 

[Larkspur]

I hope it goes smoothly nursing for almost 4 years is a huge accomplishment!

Thank you for saying that. I am really proud of it, as it has been really hard at times but I have felt it was right for my kids and that I can say I've truly done my best for them.

I do feel a sense of isolation that pretty much nobody in my extended family or friend group really shares my pride in it. Some have bitched/laughed openly about it behind my back and others have been partially supportive/accepting but would have preferred me to wean long ago. It's sad that one of the things I'm most proud of accomplishing is something that those close to me think is trivial, weird or outright embarrassing/stupid.

 

[Moominmummy1]

Wow Larkspur almost 4 years,that is great.I hope all goes smoothly with the weaning.

 

[kosh]

I hope it goes smoothly nursing for almost 4 years is a huge accomplishment!

Thank you for saying that. I am really proud of it, as it has been really hard at times but I have felt it was right for my kids and that I can say I've truly done my best for them.

I do feel a sense of isolation that pretty much nobody in my extended family or friend group really shares my pride in it. Some have bitched/laughed openly about it behind my back and others have been partially supportive/accepting but would have preferred me to wean long ago. It's sad that one of the things I'm most proud of accomplishing is something that those close to me think is trivial, weird or outright embarrassing/stupid.

I breastfed for 3y3m and, as you, I consider it one of my biggest accomplishments. Not many around me see it that way either but tbh I could not care less.

many many congratulations and hope the weaning goes smoothly!
will you celebrate?

 

[Bevziibubble]

Great achievement! Well done

 

[Larkspur]

Just wanted to update on our weaning.

I'm amazed at how smoothly it has gone. Not a single tear (from the kids... I've shed a few!). I had prepared them well, had talked about it every day, up to and including the very last feed, and ever since they've been amazing!

My daughter asked for it a few times the first day, but when I said, "Mummy milk is all gone now, would you like some cow milk in a cup?" she practically shrugged and just said, "Okay." Tonight when I was putting her to bed and she was a bit restless, at one point she went to pull at my shirt, but then paused, and said, "Mummy milk all gone now. I have my water bottle?"

They've been so good, and I'm really happy I have had the chance to recognise, enjoy and photograph our very last feeds together.