Extended breastfeeding..experiences/ advice/ opinions please

[diggory77]

I planned on feeding my little girl until she was 1, but I'm tempted to keep going. I'm a little nervous to how extended breastfeeding is perceived in public.
I've got to go back to work when she is around ten months old and I plan on pumping when I'm away from her.
How often do you feed your babies if you've fed past one? Do you feed in public? Does your child ask when they want to nurse? Do you feed your child cows milk aswell?
How have you found extended breastfeeding overall?

Thanks in advance
X

 

[staralfur]

I still nurse my LO 6-8 times a day. A lot of it is for comfort, though.

I do feed in public sometimes but usually just at a park where we're somewhat secluded, or at baby/toddler groups. If she wants to nurse in a busy restaurant or something I usually just distract her with something or give her more food instead of nursing.

She either points at my boobs or tries to stick her hand down my shirt if she wants to nurse. The hand-down-shirt maneuver can be a bit awkward in public but I usually try to just laugh it off.

She only has milk when I'm home (which is most of the time anyway), when I'm gone she just has water. So no need for cow's milk yet.

I haven't found breastfeeding past 1 to be much different than before. She has like 12 teeth now so I get accidentally nipped a bit more than when she was younger but it's not the end of the world.

I think my OH and family are all a bit surprised that I'm still nursing but they're all supportive. I know it makes my OH a bit uncomfortable but he doesn't say anything about it and I think he's getting used to it.

 

[schmetterling]

Hello!

I am currently nursing my 15 month old dd about 7 times a day, and I pump as well (low supply). We do not give any cows milk. I don't find nursing her much different than before, except that she's a little longer now when I'm holding her Her feeds are super short though now, except before nap times, then it's mostly comfort nursing to get to sleep. I do still nurse in public, and have recently stopped using a cover as well (not to get attention or stand out, just because my daughter doesn't like it and if we are out and about a long time she'll need/want to nurse). I haven't gotten any funny looks or comments yet!
My daughter will ask to nurse, usually only when we're out though because we have a pretty good routine at home. She signs for milk or puts her hand down my shirt Overall, I love that I'm still breastfeeding her. She's never sick and I never worry if she hasn't had enough solids or enough variety of solids in a day because she is getting all of the wonderful nutrition that breastmilk has to offer! Plus she's so busy now that it's the only time I get to cuddle her and stroke her hair and soft skin!

 

[Dragonfly]

I breastfed my oldest till he self weaned at 4. Dosnt feed like a new born as they go on. Things do change and they do have solids. My sons never got cows milk only for in cereal or if they wanted it. I found when I seen how healthy and great my kids where it was enough to keep me going and I really dont care what others think anyway.

 

[mia_leacey]

When I went back to work at 10 months we were on 3-4 feeds a day and 1-2 at night. Gradually this has reduced to 1 feed in 24 hours in the morning now at 20 months.

I don't feed in public any more and I have found the stick from others difficult. When LO asks he just says milk or mumma-milk. He does have cows milk too and usually asks for that by saying moo-cow-milk. Physically feeding him isn't any different and feels so natural. It's quicker and we have more boob nastics these days, but no real differences.

ETA Overall I'm really glad I've done it rather than picking an arbitrary stopping point eg 1 year but I think we're coming to the end now.

 

[snowfia]

I fed LO til 14/15 months, would have kept going if I didn't fall pregnant.

I didn't feed her much in public but that was only because she was too busy, if she wanted to and we were in a really busy place I did try to distract her first but if that didn't work I would feed her and I never had any negative comments. I fed her usually 2-3 times a day past 1. She would feed to sleep for her nap and for bed normally, it would be more often if she was tired/ill etc.
She would pull at my top if she wanted milk and has pulled it right down a couple of times
She's only had cows milk once I think and didn't like it. So she only had breastmilk and water. And now she just has water, occasionally juice.

I did really like it, it was nice to have cuddles as she's non stop :L

 

[Rachel_C]

We'll keep going until LO self-weans I think. She's 23 months old now. I don't actually consider that extended at all, it's just normal I've never noticed any funny looks and nobody has ever said anything that I've heard about it. LO sometimes feeds in public when we're out all day but mostly she will just eat food and drink water while we're out - when she's distracted she forgets to ask, just as she forgets to nap. I think people probably think she's older than she is, as she is a chatterbox and quite tall for her age, but still I've not had any comments which is good.

There was never a point when feeding her suddenly changed. It's not like they turn 1 or 15 months or whatever and suddenly they're big. I would just keep going and see how you go, I bet you won't suddenly feel awkward or anything

 

[Septie]

My DS2 is 22 months and still feeds a lot. I do feed in public anywhere and at any time, and have never used a cover. The only comments I've ever gotten were from family. And the only time I ever sat in a more private corner was during a work related party when breastfeeding DS1 (who weaned himself during my second pregnancy around 1.5 years old). DS 2 does feed less often in public now, as he is just too busy - so we might be at a playground, and when we get back to the car, he asks for it. More gymnastics now here too. I love being able to comfort him when he is hurt/sad/tired! And he is a very picky eater, so I am also glad that I have to worry less about nutrition. No cows milk here, but plenty of yoghurt. Go for it!

 

[Tacey]

1 doesn't feel extended at all to me. I look at Arthur, and can't imagine not nursing him at his age. I nurse him A LOT in this weather, but I think you just tailor it to suit your lifestyle. I feed in public, and did with Alice too until she was well over 2, and have had nothing but positivity. Alice only nurses once a day now, and she has cows' milk when she asks for it. Arthur hasn't had it as a drink yet, and he won't do while most of his calories are coming from my milk.

It's hard to imagine how I'd parent if I weaned early. It just seemed like the natural thing to continue. Nursing solves so many issues - bumped knees, toddler frustration, tiredness. It's kept me and Alice connected through her more difficult phases, and I guess the same will be true of Arthur too.

 

[LegoHouse]

1 doesn't feel extended at all to me. I look at Arthur, and can't imagine not nursing him at his age. I nurse him A LOT in this weather, but I think you just tailor it to suit your lifestyle. I feed in public, and did with Alice too until she was well over 2, and have had nothing but positivity. Alice only nurses once a day now, and she has cows' milk when she asks for it. Arthur hasn't had it as a drink yet, and he won't do while most of his calories are coming from my milk.

It's hard to imagine how I'd parent if I weaned early. It just seemed like the natural thing to continue. Nursing solves so many issues - bumped knees, toddler frustration, tiredness. It's kept me and Alice connected through her more difficult phases, and I guess the same will be true of Arthur too.

This is what I struggle with. How would I parent if I wasn't breastfeeding? It's just normal to me, sometimes I don't even realise I'm feeding him for a while yet I've managed to get my breast out and attach him lol

 

[diggory77]

Thanks guys, I'm feeling very positive about it and my husband is very much supportive of continuing to breastfeed xxx

 

[mia_leacey]

I just wanted to add I did feed in public past 1, we just don't any more. Probably stopped at around 16 months ish. It wasn't a conciois decision, he just got too busy to ask while we're out any more. Any negative comments I've add about extended feeding have been from friends or my FIL.

(Have had a couple of points before he was 1 but nothing too awful.)

 

[BunnyN]

I really dont think feeding past 1 should be called extened breastfeeding either. Stopping at 1 seems kind of unnatural to me. My sister fed until she was almost 5 when my mum weaned her before she went to school. Maybe I'd call that extended feeding but not in a bad way, it still seemed very natural. She had a few health issues and my mum felt that both the comfort and nutrition did her good. My brother and I weaned ourselves earlier. Every child is different but if you are both enjoying it it will only do her good. Oh and my sister is now a very social well balanced 25 year old.