What Is The Best Age To Stop Breastfeeding? Does It Really Matter?
December 12, 2009 by Guest Author
Filed under Breast Feeding Supplies
My twin girls (the eldest children) are three years old, and I’ve still kept up breastfeeding. Is this appropriate? My sister really disagrees with it, but my daughters and myself like the time together, and they really like breast milk.
What do you think?
Wow, good for you! That’s awesome! I just weaned my 4 1/2 year old, am nursing my 2-year old and am due in June. I was hoping to try tri-andem nursing, lol, but my oldest weaned when I got pregnant.
edit—-and for those of you who think that a baby should be weaned when they are old enough to ask for milk, what do you think a newborn baby is doing when they cry? They are asking for milk!
In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:
29% of energy requirements
43% of protein requirements
36% of calcium requirements
75% of vitamin A requirements
76% of folate requirements
94% of vitamin B12 requirements
60% of vitamin C requirements
I think 1 is the general age. I would have stopped at 6 months if I had continued but I had to stop earlier… I guess it’s between you and the kids… If they want to stop let them stop, if not I would wonder why the attachment because at that age they are so independent.. There are other ways to spend time together and other beverages I am sure that they like… if those are your only reasons..
Some people breast feed upto age 5, personally I think when a child is old enough to ask for the breast they should no longer be breast fed. I believe the apa recommends stopping at age 1, when regular milk would be started. I think its a personal decision and if your confortable then it should be ok. You could always ask your childrens doctors to see what they say.
Of course it is still appropriate, they are still getting warmth and nutrition from your breasts, and they will more than likely self wean soon, so you need not worry about having to wean them before they are ready.
“Breastfed toddlers are physically healthier
According to research, the immunological benefits of breastfeeding actually increase during the second and third years of nursing.14 The antibodies in breastmilk that protect a newborn against pathogens, viruses, and bacteria are still present in the milk of mothers nursing their toddlers.15 Literally thousands of antiviral, antibacterial, and antiparasitic factors are found in human milk, protecting against hundreds of infections and diseases, including E. coli, pneumonia, strep throat, Salmonella, influenza, rotavirus, rubella, West Nile virus, mumps, measles, diabetes, meningitis, and many childhood cancers such as leukemia.16 These immunological factors remain present whether the nursing child is three months or three years old.”http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_ba…
Edit —
— Benefit of the doubt here…..
And i thought i was alone my daughter will be 3 in Aug and i dont see weaning happening in the next few months. O have 2 that bf untill 2 n a half. i think as long as you and you baby are comfortable its ok. i dont think they should be school age and doing it. I love the bond i have with my daughter and with 4 kids its time that i get to spend with her.all to soon shell be grown and a teenager and barley want to talk to me so im going to enjoy it while i can you with twins i suggest you do the same
I personally would stop before a year old and pump, but thats just me.
Don’t let your sister change you mind. It’s completly up to you. It’s a personal choice in raising your daughter.
However I would probably before she starts going to school. But then it’s just me.
dont like it, i think kids although its nice to have bonding also need to get a lil independence n not rely on feedin for comfort, dey have all d goodness for them already so all your doing is feedin them, its not neccessary at all……………..what makes u happy wil also help your kids though so best of luck with ur decision
i think it is a bit old cause if they go to school and start saying things that people might start saying things but on the other hand its up to you and what you and you children like
“What do you think?”
That you’re remarkably fertile. Pregnant again, in just a few months — after twins no less — despite nursing those twins!
Mmm hmm.
When you and your child are ready. My daughter started losing interest at about one year. We drop one feeding at a time, the last one to go was a bed time. I missed it more than she did.
I personally think you should stop breast feeding when baby’s around 5 – 6 months tops
i mean you don’t want you kid ringing you from school asking for a feed lol
You manage to breastfeed three children at once, and you had your children within a year of each other?
It doesn’t seem likely.
Yeah…
Cruise around this section enough and you will know this is a hot topic…perfect for trolling.
Hmmmm x 2.
before baby goes to college.
how? do you feed 3 kids? wow