Comments on: How Do You Decide When To Wean From Breastfeeding?

By: western b

western b — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:28:21 +0000

For me, I waited until my son decreased his nursing on his own. He was completely weaned by his first birthday. I think the main cause of his “early” weaning was 1- he ate 4-5 solid meals a day like a champ! 2- he is a thumb sucker so he had an alternate source of “comfort” besides nursing.
I would say, just let her wean when she is ready and don’t worry about rude comments. If she only nurses before naps and bed, who really needs to know!?!

By: purplebi

purplebi — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:05:04 +0000

I am still nursing my 19 month old daughter, and yes, I get a lot of comments from people saying “you don’t need to still breastfeed her.” I know I don’t NEED to, but she likes it, and I like it, and I see no need to quit.
I even just found out I’m pregnant, and oh boy, did I start getting the comments from people! “You should stop breastfeeding! You need to talk to your doctor!” Turns out, it’s quite safe to continue breastfeeding all the way through pregnancy. Of course, I will talk to my doctor, but I don’t really want to wean if I don’t have to.
As long as you are happy, and your baby is happy, it’s nobody else’s business!

By: erin b

erin b — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:22:47 +0000

The World Health Organization, the American Academy of Family Physicians and several other organizations of health professionals advise nursing until at least age 2. The health and emotional benefits for both the mother and baby continue as long as the pair continues breastfeeding.
You should stop when one of you wants to stop. Some people wait for their children to decide, usually when they are between 2 1/2 and 4 years old, but if you don’t want to breastfeed and it is causing problems with your relationship with your daughter, then it is probably time to stop.
I plan to breastfeed my son (5 months old) for at least 2 years. The people I have known who breastfeed older children (18 months +) often only nursed at home, and only told their close friends that they were nursing because people do make rude comments. If your daughter continues to nurse 3x/day before naps and bed, it should never come up. If it does, let the person who is making the comments know that you are doing what is best for your daughter’s physical and emotional health.

By: ?

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:46:18 +0000

My children all weaned themselves but if you and your baby want to continue nursing than go for it. Had my children continued to nurse past 13 months I probably would have weaned them by about 18 months. But that is how I feel you do what you think is best for you and your baby.

By: stormsin

stormsin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:27:43 +0000

My daughter self-weaned at 11 months. I was surprised and a little sad – I’d planned on nursing her longer, and I miss our “cuddle” time.
If you’re daughter’s still interested, there’s no reason why you need to stop any time soon.

By: PharmNer

PharmNer — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:16:10 +0000

My 2 older children were weaned a little after their 1st birthday because I was expecting another child. My youngest son was weaned around 15 months. Even though he had a very healthy appetite he wanted to nurse at naptime and before bedtime. I choose to wean his because he was just too big and he would climb in my lap and the most inappropriate times and lift my shirt up and demand to nurse.

By: samira

samira — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:10:18 +0000

If she is happy and you are happy there is no need to wean her. I think its great! you are right to not care if others think it’s weird, It is not at all.
You should decide to wean her when it feels right. maybe she will be 18 months, maybe she will be even older. It is totally up to you.
When people ask you rudely “are you still nursing” say something like “yes, we are both happy” or “yes, she is so healthy” or “sure am!”
best of luck to you, sounds like your doing a great job!

By: Nicky T

Nicky T — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 09:18:03 +0000

I breastfed my daughter until she was 14 months old. At about 13 months I slowly cut it back to just night-time feeds and that lasted for about four weeks until one night I just decided it was enough and then over a week gradually phased it out. Luckily she was very good for going to bed and it just worked out. It didn’t bother me how old she was, I had no set date to actually phase it out, I just decided one day while I was nursing her, she looked up at me with a cheeky grin and bit down on me! That’s about when I decided the time was right. I’ve known mums to feed until their babies are18 months – 2 years. You will know when the time is right.

By: Nicole A

Nicole A — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:17:08 +0000

You should do it until you and your daughter feel it is the right time to stop. I do recommend that you set boundaries and that your daughter not be able to come over and grab you and pull up your shirt to get at your breast, but if you and she are both discreet about it enjoy it while you can. There is no stronger bond.
As for rude comments – I would just smile and say “breast is best”, or “it works for us”, or “I am so lucky to be able to…”. Depending on how bold you are, you can say “what’s it to you?”
Don’t worry about the people who have a negative opinion of it. They are missing something in their life that they would have to judge yours.

By: iampatsa

iampatsa — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:56:01 +0000

I got “are you STILL nursing” comments at 4 months!
Breastfeed for as long as it works for you.. but I personally don’t see the benefit past age two.
I stopped when my milk stopped. I can’t let down for pumps and I work full time.