Still breastfeeding at 1 years old

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   aallard23posted 13 years ago

   My family seems to have a problem with the fact that I still breastfeed my son. He has his own milk and juice but at night I like to give some extra nutrients. He is walking and starting to talk with a mouth full of teeth. Should I stop breastfeeding him?

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      cookingdivaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I think you should check out Le Leche League support locally where you are , I think extended breastfeeding always helps, I know a few people who have done it and it has tons of benefits. I say bravo for doing it this long!

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         aallard23posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you

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      Disturbiaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Ouch!  A mouth full of teeth.  Yeah, I would say it might be time to stop once your kid has a mouth full of teeth.

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         aallard23posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         lol. It doesnt really hurt I think he knows not to use his teeth. Thank you for the response.

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      rebekahELLEposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I breastfed both of my sons past the age of one and had no problems with biting. Stop when you feel it is best, but don't let others pressure you to stop. The benefits and bonding have no price. I think it's special, and your baby probably looks forward to his nursing time with you.

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         aallard23posted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you. He does look forward to it. I nurse him at night so it makes me feel more bonded to him that I can give him a extra boost of nutrients.

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      deblippposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I didn't wean until 19 months. There are extraordinary health benefits to extended nursing, including reduced rates of childhood leukemia, improved jaw and tooth health, lower rate of infections, lower rate of allergies, and more.
      
      Because our culture discourages extended breastfeeding, you will naturally get some push-back from some.

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      zob2zobposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      It is down to you, personally I fed mine until they stopped the 4th child I stopped feeding due to her biting me and I was afraid that as opposed to relaxing and enjoyable it would end up in her being launched!!
      
      People seem to be less pro breast than society would like to admit too!
      
      Having breast fed 23 years ago and then 9 months ago I would say hostile though it was in the 80's it is certainly more so now!!
      & those little smelly rooms they expect you to go...oh boy ....some big time pruds are in every town & every family!!

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      ceciliabeltranposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Breastfeeding gets better and easier the longer you do it.
      
      I breastfed my daughter until 3. She tells me it tastes like yogurt. Breastmilk makes them happy, I mean really. Just keep on breastfeeding even just once a day. it's good for you, your daughter and will ensure protection against asthma and diabetes.
      
      The reason why I know is I was a medical writer specializing in pediatric health. It is the best thing you could do for your baby. My daughter very rarely gets sick, does not have asthma even if I have asthma and so does my husband's father. Not even a sniffle.

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   Polly Cposted 13 years ago

   I breastfed my youngest until his second birthday, not during the day but just at night.  I was going to stop earlier, but I had a problem in that he would not drink any milk from either a bottle or a cup, he just point blank refused. I just figured it was better to continue than to have nothing at all. Everyone has to do what they feel is right - I only fed my first for six months but because I had introduced the bottle earlier I didn't have the same problem.
   
   Do what you think is right, it's got nothing to do with anyone else. I felt it was time to stop when my son started laughing at the whole thing as though it was a big joke!

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      aallard23posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you. Hopefully he wont laugh when I do it.

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      Eaglekiwiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      My story is similar. I loved those days.
      
      Do whats right for you and the child -not opiniated relations

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         Eaglekiwiposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Edit* I breasfed all three of my sons for between 6 mths and 18mths.
         
         They are now all over 6ft tall and drop dead gorgeous
         The oldest is in management ,middle one 4th year Uni ,and youngest 2nd year Uni.
         
         Boobs are brainfood

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   Monisajdaposted 13 years ago

   I breastfed both of my daughters until they weaned themselves (it was way longer than I planned but was OK with that). There is nothing wrong with extended nursing, it actually is still good for the child past age one. There is a good website for all questions about extended and regular breastfeeding: www.kellymom.com
   
   I assume most people who imagine young toddler biting his mom with a new set of teeth have never had any experience with breastfeeding a child at all. It is actually quite saddening to hear them talking about things they have no clue about as if they knew it.
   Nursing is not only about feeding your infant, it is a bond and your baby/toddler knows the limits simply because he/she loves you and respects the source of his nourishment, love and comfort. Only a person who never experienced that bond can think that biting is likely to happen.

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      aallard23posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you. That is exactly what I love, the bonding between us. I work during the day so his father watches him and I just need that bond.

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   kerrygposted 13 years ago

   The World Health Organization actually recommends that children be breastfed until they're about two years old, if possible, so you're in the right in this situation, not anyone giving you grief over breastfeeding a one year old.
   
   I breastfed my daughter until she was 21 months, when I got sick with an unrelated illness and had to take medication that wasn't compatible with breastfeeding. By the end, she was only nursing once or twice a day, but the bonding was definitely enjoyable for both of us and as long as your son isn't biting you or anything like that I'd say go ahead and stick with it for another year or even two if it makes you both happy.

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      aallard23posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Kerryg

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   Monisajdaposted 13 years ago

   Oh yes, that is so disgusting to be offered to nurse your baby in restrooms. My response was always "Would you like to eat your lunch in a restroom?".

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      aallard23posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      definitely.

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6. 81

   RooBeeposted 13 years ago

   Good for you! Definitely don't let the opinions of others get you down. I breastfed my oldest until age 2 and my one year old still does it at night and sometimes in the morning. I have encountered all kinds of criticism from people telling me that it's "gross" and "unnatural." Yeah, okay. Let's not get started on all of the 'unnatural' things our society deems normal....
   
   I can't imagine criticizing someone's very personal situation this way, but that's just me. Luckily, we have plenty of support from the medical community. My pediatrician praises me for still breastfeeding; it's so nice to have this support when it can be pretty hostile out there for bfing moms.
   
   Worldwide, the average age for weaning is waaaay older than in the U.S. Our culture tends to prefer nicely packaged, pre-measured, homogenized, sanitized things (and these preferences are killing us, btw, but that's a whole other subject!!). The benefits of breastfeeding - both physical and mental - are astounding and provable.
   
   It's annoying that we are treated like junkies or something just because we choose to nourish our child in the most natural, god-given way possible. I'm always heartened to hear of another mother speaking frankly about the discrimination that goes on -- I never knew until I became a mom!!
   
   Here's a group I support that advocates for the rights of working mothers, including allowing them decent facilities in which to breastfeed or pump milk during the work day if they so desire. http://www.momsrising.org/ Taking the best care of our babies now ensures a stronger society for us all in the future.

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      aallard23posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Roobee. I completely agree with you, I see the evidence of my nourishment to him everyday. He is such a smart and bright little guy and I just want the best for him. I want to give him that extra head start so he can be successful in life.

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   kcreeryposted 13 years ago

   It shouldn't matter that you breastfeed your son at 1 years old.  They recommend breastfeeding as long as you can.  I would tell your family to mind their own business and leave the child raising to you.

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      aallard23posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you

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   WryLiltposted 13 years ago

   I breastfed my daughter at night up till she was 14 months - and I didn't want to stop. However I had to take some medication which gave her a reaction, so I had to stop. However I'm pregnant again and if I can go up to 18 months or so I'll be happy.
   
   I really don't see the big issue - it's completely natural and it's also cheap!

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      aallard23posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you

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   TLMinutposted 13 years ago

   This thread seemed a little odd to me at first because of the word "still". A one-year-old? Mine weaned themselves between 18 months and a bit over two. Never noticed any hostility about breastfeeding a baby, how bizarre.
   
   I guess the "still...at one year" goes along with the whole "Get that baby off a bottle, get him trained, get him reading, hurry, hurry, get him off to school, stop babying that baby!" Good grief!

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      aallard23posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you. Everything does seem to be rush rush rush!!!

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    Home Girlposted 13 years ago

    I guess everything depends on your personal lifestyle. If you have to take your child to a full day nursery, to hurry up to a full day of work, to get home late and tired, attend to your child's needs at night etc. - You are not going to sit with him and breast feed him past 7-8 months, guaranteed. I am not sure you'll even have that milk at that time. You'll be too stressed out for that. I remember, in my old country I lost all my milk in a month! Some people would continue "breast feed"  psychologically their "babies" for many years into adulthood. Tell them what to wear, where to work, how to live, whom to marry/not marry, etc. Personally I find it strange. I see so many adults(in age) in Canada, still behaving like teenagers and unable to cope with life, work, relationship and THAT is not funny at all. If your child is running around, talking, has teeth, can eat solid food - that means he is not a baby any more. Teach him right nutrition,read him books, show him the world, how to make friends and share things. Do not breast feed him any more, if you want to do that - have another baby! You cannot have a baby for life!

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       aallard23posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you Home Girl

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    TLMinutposted 13 years ago

    - Some people would continue "breast feeding"  psychologically their "babies" for many years into adulthood. -
    
    Kind of like that woman mentioned that breastfed her girls at AGE EIGHT?! Yikes!
    I know what you mean about keeping kids from growing up. But at one and two, they ARE still babies.

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    Eaglekiwiposted 13 years ago

    aallard
    
    It is hard when its your family ,and you might not feel strong or confident enough to verbly be assertive.
    Its nice to have moral support from other mothers on here ,but long time support offline will be even better and more effective!
    
    Families can be so hurtful at times, and all that estrogen supporting reproduction needs to be doing just that ie nuturing all those maternal hormones.
    
    Try to stay focused though on you and baby (and other siblings)
    
    Your baby
    Your boobs
    Your life       Be happy

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       aallard23posted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Thank you Eaglekiwi!

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