Thoughts on BF length? 6 months? Year? 2 years?

kmchavez82

FTM - and first time bf for my family.. what is the consensus on length of bfing? Most of the women I've talked to say about a year but when do LO's start getting teeth? DH thinks we should stop once DD is eating solids. I've seen 2 weeks to 36 months! Thoughts?

danienross

I think that it's different for everyone and to try to pick a set age for every baby is just silly.  It's like expecting every baby to walk or talk at the same age.

I have a family member who has been pushing weaning ever since DD cut her first tooth at 7mos.  If you stop BFing before a year, and solids are normally introduced around 6mos, then you will more than likely need to give formula (not that formula is bad, just something to consider).  I think everyone assumed I would stop at a year and well we didn't.  DD is 15mos old and we're still going strong.  I'm just playing it by ear and have no set age in mind.  As of right now I can't imagine BFing past 2yrs but I thought the same thing about 1yr before we got there.

Also my DH agrees that it is ultimately my decision since it is my body.  I would have a serious talk with DH to see if he will still be supportive if you want to nurse longer than he wants you to nurse.  I face constant criticism from my family and can't imagine not having DH's support.

pitterpatter129

All the big organizations (WHO, CDC, AAP) recommend bfing to at least a year or more!  Babies need breastmilk (or formula if you choose that in the end) for the first year.  We started baby food at six months, but many people wait even longer.  They can get teeth as early as birth.  I think the first tooth for us popped up about 5 months.  Teeth do not equal quit breastfeeding.  In fact, having a tooth does not affect breastfeeding at all and babies don't bite when they are actually nursing - sometimes when they are finished they might...but you can do some things to prevent that.

We have been breastfeeding for almost 14 months now and I plan to go until he's two or self-weans.  Most children will self-wean between the ages of 2 and 4.  I'm not sure I want to bf that long though!  My sister weaned her LO at 3.  Breastmilk is still full of nutrition and antibodies even at that age! 

Most women start with a small goal, like six months.  When you get there you can stop and decide if you want to continue or not.  If it's not working, then switch to formula or bf part-time.  If it's going well, then you can continue.  I said six months, then I said 1 year, and then we made that goal and I said, well, let's try for two or weaning!  

I like this website with all the good reasons to breastfeed! https://www.notmilk.com/101.html

 

HPickle23

It seems like 1 yr is generally the norm when most people wean. I plan on going for at least a year and see if DD self weans by then. I do plan on pumping and freezing plenty of breastmilk so that DD still gets the benefits of it. My sister did this until her DD was 18 mos. It's all personal preference. But like PP said, if you stop when they get their first tooth...then you'll have to give formula because babies still get most of their nutrition and fluids from breastmilk or formula even though you've started solids. If DH is still on the fence about it, talk to your pedi and let them explain it to him.

Mrs.Teddy

This is completley a personal decision. I think any one would agree that ANY amount of breastmilk for any length of time is a benefit. Exclusive breastfeeding (meaning no other foods/drinks/supplements) is suggested for 6 months, after that complimentary foods can add to the nourishment of breastmilk.

When I nursed DS I just took it as we went with no definite goals, we made it a year, and then I went back to work and decided to wean him as I was concerned about him wanting me and me beign unavailable. in hindsight, I think he would have done fine. I hope with this LO to make it to 18 months or 2 years.

There is no right answer and when the time comes you will know whats going to work best for you.

hewinked

I'm new to BF'ing, so you can take my opinion with a grain of salt, but I've always heard at least a year.  And I agree with others, if you stop when baby gets teeth or when he/she gets solids, you'll still have to use formula.  They get most nutrition at that age from breastmilk or formula.  DD started getting teeth at 7 months.  We started solids at 6 months (rice cereal at 4 months).  She was on formula until we started whole milk at a year.  I plan to BF this baby, and I'm starting with small goals and gonna go from there.  My DH is onboard with that.

manbearpig31610

With DD1 I was EPing and was able to keep that up for 7 months. My supply started to decrease around 5 months and was almost non-existant by 7 months so I threw in the towel. With DD2 I am exclusively nursing and would love to make it to 1 year. At that point I plan to start weaning. As pp mentioned, it is recommended by the APA that you bf for at least the first year, or as long as both mom and baby desire to do so. In my particular group of friends (all of us have BFed or are BFing) 12-18 months seems to be the norm but there are a couple who have gone beyond that.

kcl22

There's no right or wrong; it's totally up to you.  Once one or both of you loses interest you stop.  A good number of women breastfeed until they can give cows milk at or around a year.  That's the most common goal I see.  I say do it until you don't want to anymore.

LizzieTim

Why on earth would your DH want you to stop BF'ing if it's the best thing for your baby? Baby's teeth won't interfere... Is he worried you'll get bitten? 

I bf'ed my DS til 9 months and only stopped due to recurring mastitis... I am bf'ing again with our DD and I plan to do at least 9 months to be fair and may go longer if it's working for everyone. I doubt I'd go past 12-15 months, but who knows? 

michelle142

It really comes down to personal preference. You need to do what works best for you and your family.

That said, I just set goals for myself and don't really pay to much attention to the "guidelines" and such.

My first goal was to make it through the first month. My new goal is 6 months. My long term goal is 1 year or until he self weans.

tokenhoser

Breastmilk never stops being beneficial to the baby. It's the best food for a human.

We're at 8.5 months, and I just can't imagine quitting at a year now. I do have to go back to work at a year, and I might not pump. We'll nurse when together and transition to cow's milk when apart, most likely. 

I'd like to let my son wean himself. We'll see how it goes.

katiewhompus

The medical community says it is best to continue for at least a year and that is my current goal. When DD was born my goal was to make it 4 months, then 6 months, then through flu season, then 1 year. We just passed the 6 month goal and I can't imagine stopping anytime soon.

Once they start solids they are still getting their primary nutrition from breastmilk or formula, so starting solids is hardly when you should stop bfing.

I also haven't dealt with teeth yet (knock on wood) so we'll see if I change my tune if DD turns out to be a biter

Matt Dvorak

My goal is one year, and then to cut down after that. I'm ok with doing a morning and evening feeding longer term, but that's when I want to quit pumping at work. 

nosoup4u

I aimed to nurse DS1 for a year, and ended up nursing him for almost 2.5 years. DS2 is 15 months and still going strong.

Nursing is a personal choice! As long as it's working for you and your kid, then keep going. I will add that I really, really like nursing a toddler much more than a baby. Nursing is a lot more about bonding and comfort after 12 months. hth

pepomntpat

We plan to BF until DD wants to stop. I am hoping to get to at least 2 years, but I'm following her cues. So far, so good!