How long are you planning on BF for?

[Callie-xoxox]

Hello ladys, I am kinda new to this section.
I am Callie I am 19 and have a wonderful daughter Lyrik Marie.
I love BF and since I am a single mom its free and easy!
I want to breastfeed for as long as I can. Is there a time when its not okay to nurse any more?
My goal is for 1 year but I want to for sure go over that.
When should I start to feed Lyrik real food?
And how much should i BF when she is on normal foods?
This is all so new to me I need advice.

 

[lynnikins]

1 yr is a good goal hunni its what im aiming for atm too, there are some mums here who are nursing past that , i will see what we do when we come to that point but socially people tend to ( unfortunatly ) find that past 6months they get some comments past 12 months alot of comments and past 18months people just being rude lol as its not the norm to continue to BF in the western society although Breastmilk contains health benifits for people of all ages not just babies

I would try not to start real foods till 6 months if you can, the longer you wait the better IMO, im just giving EJ cold carrot and cucumber sticks to suck on and to help with the teething pain hes getting but hes not really eating them yet in a couple of weeks i'll probably start giving him chunks of food to pick up off the tray himself and eat ( im doing whats known as baby led weaning rather than going the standard route of purrees on a spoon for them )
Let L drop her own feeds when they start taking solids in decent amounts then they naturally start taking less milk and you should follow her lead on that

 

[Callie-xoxox]

thank you soo much.
And I already have had people comment to me about BF.
Maybe its cause I am young and alot of teen moms dont BF But I am see people getting even more rude when the baby is over 1. I think 6 months is a good time to start with solids. I am just going to be sad when I so stop BFing. As much as it's sometimes annoying i will be sad when I stop. I also dont want Lyrik to not be getting all the benefits of Breast milk but I guess there is a time when i need to stop. I go back to work when Lyrik is one so I think that will be a good time to go down to night feeds then I can still get the boding and she can still eat normal food

 

[BeccaMichelle]

We're aiming for a year and then I'll let Jessica be my guide, gradually dropping off as she see's fit.

Wait till 6 months for solids! (though we were weak and started letting her taste things around 5. Right now she's still learning about foods and how to eat so she's bfing about the same amount. When you're feeding on demand your baby will let you know how often she should be eating! just watch for her cues.

Learn to ignore stupid people. *laughs* I just got told by a doctor the other day that breastmilk was of "rubbish" quality after 6 months!! I mean come on!!

 

[MelanieAnn]

Breastmilk, or formula milk as a fourth-best, should be the baby's primary source of nutrition throughout the first year.

The WHO recommend babies are exclusively breastfed for six months, and thereafter, in combination with solid foods up to the age of two or beyond.

And if anyone wants to be rude about toddler nursing - well, it's them who looks stupid, not the mum contentedly breastfeeding her toddler!

There are a whole heap of reasons why toddler nursing is wonderful. But in reality, none of those are as important as watching your baby. What does baby want? Babies rarely self wean before 18 months, although sometimes they get disinterested and have to be coaxed back to the breast.

Mel

 

[Tacey]

I'm hoping to feed until Alice self weans. I want to get to at least 2 years. We started offering solid food (baby led weaning) about a week before she was 6 months. I think it's best to let the baby guide you on when they want to feed. Alice will sometimes only take 3 breastmilk feeds a day, and sometimes it's like she's a newborn again!

Don't let anyone else put you off though. Do what's best for you and your baby.

 

[cabaretmum2b]

I'm hoping to BF until at least a year, and getting past our initial problems when everyone was telling me to just give her formula has made me more determined to do it! My mum is still BFing one of my brothers - he's nearly 4! He only really wants it before bed now, but she's just letting him take it at his own pace, which is think is good! Her family constantly take the p*** out of her for it, though.

 

[aob1013]

6 months at LEAST, but hopefully 2 years like WHO recommends.

 

[Jchihuahua]

I originally thought 6 months when I started out then that quickly turned into at least a year! Now the plan is to breastfeed her until she self weans.

 

[celine]

I plan until at least 2 years and then let gabriel self-wean

 

[bekkie]

beautiful name for a beautiful baby girl

my original 'goal' was 6 months, but we're 2 months past that now and no sign of slowing down, so I'm not going to set a date, just going to roll with it

the comments never stop, and it's worse when it's those closest to you that start making them, because it's harder to ignore. But just remember - your boobies, your baby, your choice! Don't let anyone pressure you in to stopping

As for starting solids, we introduced at 6 months, and always BF before food, so that he's still getting the majority of his nutrients from BM

 

[Scooby12345]

originally 3 months, then 4months, then 6 months and now i dont have a target, just seeing how we both get on (even tho lo getting her third tooth already).

 

[mummy3]

I will just breastfeed until she self weans, hopefully she will feed until she is 2! im preg again now, so hope to tandem feed

Lyrik (great name btw) will let you know herself when she's ready to give up, and don't let anyone make you feel bad, you are doing an awesome thing for your daughter

 

[freckleonear]

Hello! I was 19 when I had my son and I breastfed him until he self-weaned at 15 months. Now I'm breastfeeding my daughter and again will do so until she self-weans, hopefully it will be a bit later this time! 1 year has always been my absolute minimum goal. I don't really think there's a time when it's not okay to nurse. I used to think that extended breastfeeding was a bit strange but I've come to realise that it's actually very natural. They will stop when they are ready!

It's best to wait until 6 months to wean, although I'll probably be waiting until closer to 7 with Tabitha. We do baby-led weaning. Milk should still be their main source of nutrition so feed as much as she wants!

 

[Seity]

For as long as I can keep my milk going and he still wants it.

 

[venusrockstar]

I'm planning to BF for at least a year and then we'll see how things go once I'm back full-time at work. I'm hoping to have a lot of milk pumped and stored and then she can still drink breastmilk past a year old and if I can BF her while I'm at home.

 

[Pickles77]

I plan on at least a year and then see how it goes from there. My son self weaned at 13 months.

 

[Callie-xoxox]

thanks soo much ladys
It makes me happy to hear that I am no the only one who wants to BF for longer then a year.And when i first got Pregnant I felt kinda weird about BF and I was not sure I even wanted to but my mom told me that if I wanted to give Lyrik the best start i could I would BF her and now I cant imagine not BF her. Its the only thing I can to and no one else can. Makes me feel like I am her MOMMY, Its the only thing that no one can take from us. I am not setting a goal any more, I am just going to with the flow. And its not like she will be nursing every 3 hours when she is over one.

 

[teal]

I'm hoping for at least a year. I'll be going back to work when my son is a year old but only a few hours a day so possibly able to continue xx

 

[cleckner04]

I plan on breastfeeding until at least 2 years. Anything after that is just a bonus IMO.