- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
If your're still BFing at 15+ months?
Do people (family, close friends) give you crap or tell you its weird? I'm still BFing DS at 15.5 months. I had actually planned on weaning at a year. I have a friend that BF her DD until 2.5 years, and not that I judged her or ever said anything to her about it, but I did find it a bit strange that her DD was constantly coming up to her and asking to BF. So, I always said when DS could ask to BF or pull them out himself, it was time to stop. But, DS wants no parts of weaning. Actually, he's pretty obsessed (don't know if that's the right word) with nursing and tries to pull down my shirt every chance he gets, luckily he never does this in a public place. I can be carrying him on my hip at home and he'll wrap his head around and pull down my shirt and latch himself.
We were at my parents house yesterday and DS was napping. As soon as he got up from his nap and we came downstairs, he was vigorously pulling at my shirt and looking down my shirt when we were playing with toys on the floor. My parents both said they thought it was weird that I was still BFing a 15 month old, and I've gotten that reaction from other people too. Not that I really care what others think (and I've told them so), just curious if anyone else gets that type of reaction too?
Also, how long do you plan on BFing?
Warning
No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
This discussion has been closed.
Re: If your're still BFing at 15+ months?
Set several goals with DD first it was 6 months then a year. When we got to a year I planned on weaning but we were in transition (moving across the country, staying with family until we could close on our house). Because of that I made the choice to self wean.
That said my DD nursed only in the AM and before bed. I am wondering if you could maybe teach him the sign for milk to make it less obvious. I had a friend who nursed her daughter for a long time. I had no issue with that but it was awkward when her DD would ask for Boobie. It was the age as much as how she did it.
How long some one BF is so personal. Do what you feel is right for your DS and you.
I BF'ed until about that age, maybe a little older. It was just night and mornings and then a little less. I thought I'd really miss it but as DD got bigger, and could eat other foods and rest to sleep with water and rocking, it just made sense. I didn't like when she pulled on my shirt, so I discouraged it. She learned it was a no-no and the behavior didn't develop.
I think anything people don't normally see can be called "weird". People just don't see breast feeding very often next to never past 12 months. If it works for you just say "It works for us." You have the only opinion that matters.
You don't have to officially wean to offer water and milk after naps and when he goes for the breast. My DD was never a great bottle user, but at that age she could use a sippy cup well (the simple disposable kind). Maybe its as simple as teaching him that he can drink water and milk when he's thirsty or hungry.
I'm still BFing and hope to continue to at least 18 months (so she gets through cold & flu season and continues to help build her immune system). We only nurse at night before bedtime, and I am actually the one pushing for the morning session, in fear that I might dry up if I'm not nursing at least 2x a day.
DD uses her sign language for milk, so I haven't had to worry about the pulling down of the shirt. However, also weaning during the day (daycare didn't allow bottles in her 1+ class, so that meant not having to pump, so I started getting DD to take cow milk during the day on the weekends) helped some because that was the time she would ask; the evening & morning times are just a "given" so she doesn't ask.
Lucky for me, I've gotten nothing but "good for you" when I've told people we're still nursing. Mostly mothers who also nursed "later", or pediatricians of course! However, sometimes I just say it with such conviction or as a side note ("oh, well, since we're still nursing she gets those extra antibodies" etc.) that I don't think I allow room for someone to give me the side-eye. At least not to my face. =D
I think it's becoming so much more common. I'm also very lucky that both DH & I were breastfed as babies, during a time when formula was being pushed as the best option and people were hard on BFing women. So both families are very supportive. Lucky for both of us, our parents were so poor that BFing was simply a financial choice, so they are use to it. =D
DD just turned 18 months this week and I am still BF. She doesn't do it in public but when we are home - she wants "sips" all day long....
I am letting her self-wean and she is pretty good about not doing things when she's playing with others or when we are out.
That said - I don't get too much flack for it. Grandparents and DH are understanding and so are close friends. Ironically - i just changed pedi's because of several issues but one of them being she was pretty judjemental about DD still BF at 15 months.
Also - the AAP recommendations are as follows:
Exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months and support for breastfeeding for the first year and beyond as long as mutually desired by mother and child.
BF is completely normal and noatural and the best thing for your baby.
Good luck!!!
DD is turning 1 tomorrow, and showing no signs of stopping. in the past few weeks, I have gotten her down to 3 times a day but I think those feedings will still be in place for months to come.
Fortunately, the ones she has are first thing in the morning, 2 pm naptime, and bedtime so they shouldnt be around others, since she is always home to sleep each day.
I am also fortunate that our play group has plenty of moms that nursed their babies over a yr, many up to 2 yrs of age.
We are still bfing at almost 22 months, very rarely does any of my family comment. He will typically only nurse before bed and/or right after waking up for the day. If he is sick or especially cranky you can throw in a few more times though. Occasionally my mom will ask if I'm still nursing and look surprised when I say yes. My g-ma and a few babyless friends have asked when we plan to stop. I give the same standard issue answer - we'll stop when he's ready to stop. I always wanted to make it to 1 year but now we're so close I hope to make it until he's two - it's weird but it feels like a goal I oddly want to reach. To be honest I/others are surprised my supply has lasted as long as it has considering he nurses so little and will often skip a session. All I know is that I earned the t-shirt I'm getting for Christmas that says "I make milk what's your super power"
But I should have asked for it sooner.