What Percentage Of Moms Are Still Breastfeeding When The Child Is 1 Year Old?
October 24, 2009 by admin
Filed under Breast Feeding Supplies
I always get props for breastfeeding my daughter for 21 months, and for still going with my son who is 11 months old. As I see it, if you stay at home, and if you don’t do drugs or have HIV, there’s no excuse for not going a year. (And before I had kids I thought breastfeeding was abhorrent and swore I would never do it!) I’m just wondering, since the AAP says you should go at least a year, how many moms are still doing it and when do they usually quit?
La Leche League says 16% of children are nursed at one year (in 2005)- however, you’ll have pocket areas where the average could be much higher or lower.
Personally, I nursed my first until 20 months- while working part-time in a town where most working moms don’t breastfeed at all because of lack of knowledge about breast pumps and ignorance about how important breastfeeding is to a baby’s immature immune system. I nursed my second until 32 months and my third is still nursing at 12 months.
My aim is at least two years. A lot of Americans think 1 year is an arbitrary weaning date, when it’s actually a minimum goal. The World Health Organization recommends at least 2 years and thereafter as long as desired by mom and child. And considering that the immune system is immature for at least the first couple of years, it’s a good thing to aim for well over a year.
That’s great you did it, but I was only able to breastfeed for 2 months. That doesn’t make me a terrible mother, it just means I had to finish my 18 hours of school that semester.
My son was a preemie and is now 20 months, but he’s only been ill twice. Breastfeeding is great, but I do not think it’s fair to look down on other women who chose not to breastfeed.
In my circle of friend 2 years is the minimum. Statistically, the west coast is slightly higher in all things natural as far as parenting goes.
Even when i went back to work when my dd was 7 months we still nursed. She weaned at 40 months, of her own free will. My son is 27 months says “I want milks mama” and will be nursing til he is done.
Well, this is what happened with me.. When my son was 2 months old, I started working. So he was given a bottle.. and then after that he no longer wanted to breastfeed because he found that the milk comes out quicker in the bottle. He’s 11 months right now and I still can’t get him to breastfeed.
I’m still nursing my son and he is almost a year old. i love it and plan to continue nursing him for a while. breastfeeding your child is good for you and your baby in so many ways. just make sure that they get plenty of nutrients from solid foods as well and good luck!
I’m not sure what the percentage is, but it is probably way too low! I nursed by son for 3 (almost 4) years, which is when he weaned himself. My daughter is 2 1/2 years old and is still nursing, and I will let her wean herself as well. I feel that child-led weaning is the most gentle way to wean, for both mom and child.
My son is 23 months and we are still breastfeeding. I plan to stop soon… I had to laugh… I thought the same before I had him. Now, I wouldn’t have had it any other way!!
The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding until AT LEAST AGE TWO!
I also understand that there are women for whom it doesn’t work… so, they have to make the best decision in their particular situation too…
A note to “Lovely”… I hear you too… my son yells out “I WANT BOOBIE!!!!” in public at times… embarrassing but it is natural… you get used to it. And it makes people laugh…
Hi there, My son turned 1 two days ago and I am still breast feeding him . Out of all the mums in my Mums and Bubs group( bout 20 Mums) I am the only one that continued with feeding for more than a few months and only 4 others breast fed at all . As for quitting I dont know yet .
My son is almost a year and still going strong! I don’t plan to stop breastfeeding anytime soon.
It’s too bad that people are so uncomfortable with breasts being used for anything other than sex. They want you to go ahead and breastfeed for a month or two, but after that, yuck. When really, breastfeeding past a year should be the norm!
And I agree, that there’s really only a tiny percentage of moms who CAN’T breastfeed. The majority of those who don’t would find a way if formula wasn’t available!
My daughter was weaned at one year, when I was two months pregnant, and now I wish I hadn’t weaned her at all. With my son-to-be who is due in August, I’m aiming for two years or when he self weans.
Knowledge is power, that’s all I have to say to the uninformed moms who don’t try at all, or quit too soon… lots of moms quit nursing well before one year, or don’t even try, and I hope that changes. You’re right that there is no excuse for not going a year. My sister nursed her daughter for five months while working full time. If she can do it, anyone can. She also has twin sons. Now she stays at home and is still nursing, of course.
We’re at 16 months here!
Out of my online mommy group of about 15-20 moms we have like 4 still nursing… pretty good, if you ask me!
Of course, there were only a couple more that ever nursed at all… so… oh well!
according to CDC statistics it’s around 12%.
Kudos for you for still bf! Mine is 28 mths and we are still nursing.
i think a year is to long, you should stop by 5 months…your baby will be able to form words soon do you really want it to say mom I’m thirsty..it freaks me out when mothers breast feed to long and your getting to that point
also i can’t stand when mothers don’t just say their child is one years old, they have to say they are 21 months or 24 months…i think once your chil turns one, the counting by months should go out the window.