Extended Breastfeeding?

I am a full time working mom and my son will be 11 months on friday.

I will continue breastfeeding as long as he wants to...much to the horror of my family, husband and friends....

Don't listen to a damn thing anyone says about weaning...you're doing the right thing. Outside of this country it's perfectly normal to nurse kids upwards of two years or MORE!

By now you pretty much have the swing of things, so not much will change from here on out...the only thing I can suggest to insure a good production of milk, is perhaps having a no bottle policy at home so that baby can stimulate more milk production to make up for your time apart...that's what we do.

That and a regular pumping schedule. I pump three times a day at work...and have been for 7 months now...the only time I every have any problems is when I get really stressed out...

If you need any help, have any questions or need emotional support...there's a group here on Yahoo for extended breastfeeding moms...

They're great and they have tons of info and they are a great source of support for me and alot of other moms...

If you'd like to check it out...search for Milk_drunk in groups..

Good LUCK !!!

I am a working mom with a 13 month old who is still nursing on demand when I am home. I used to get the questions- but quell them with- it's keeping her healthy and well. Someone made the mistake of saying I was a pacifier and that she is not receiving any benefits from the breastmilk- I lit into them. She is still receiving antibodies though she is only nursing 3 times a day. We are all getting over a bad cold- she didn't get it and her brother who was breastfed 11 years ago- had it for 1 day only. Their dad and I were sick for over a week!!!

Do what you are doing as long as you are happy. I am, and love the fact that as soon as I get home- it's nursing time!!! She does too. I don't have any date in mind to wean- or month. Just by the time she is 2.

good luck to you!

Although the pediatric medical journals reccomend breastfeeding til they are a year old, you will find that even your pediatritian will be trying to get you to wean early even by pushing what I call back door weaning methods like pushing solids as early as 4 months old! It's scary! I've always let my babies wean themselves when possible and usually they seem to wean on their own between 12-14months I don't know any real tricks. I wouldn't go overboard tryng to make a baby nurse for longer, but as long as you've got a good supply and offer it, I doubt there's a baby out there who will refuse it, unless he's being stuffed at the dinner table like a thanksgiving turkey.

I breastfed my first son until he weaned himself at 2.5 years and am currently nursing my 5 month old. I will let him wean himself as well. I work full time and pump for my little guy when I'm not with him. It can be done.

I hear these horrible stories of babies screaming and crying as moms try to wean them…why? They won’t go on forever, they do stop if you let them.

It’s hilarious to me that breastmilk is perfect for 365 days and then on day 366 it goes rotten and sour—I know of no other bodily function that is so tied to the Gregorian calendar.

It’s wonderful knowing that no matter how picky your baby is, your milk (that increases in fats and nutrition after the first year) will fill in the gaps.

People are so ignorant sometimes. If they only KNEW the long term benefits for both baby and mother, I firmly believe more would nurse longer. If you can build your baby’s IQ, keep them from getting sick, and decrease your own risk of breast and ovarian cancers, why wouldn’t you? It is common around here in the western US to nurse until at least a year, and sometimes much longer.

I do have some tips. First of all, their nursing usually goes down in frequency and duration after about 13 months or so. I didn’t have to pump anymore once my first was about that age. We would nurse about 4-5 times a day at that point: morning, lunch (when I’d drive home) late afternoon when I got home, and one or two more times before bed. Really, at that point, it’s super easy and you don’t even have to worry about pumping or balancing work/nursing. We didn't have to use bottle after that point because if he wanted something else he could have a sippy cup.

My biggest tip would be to educate yourself about the benefits of extended nursing. Check out the Kelly mom link I’m posting below. If you have the facts to back you up, people are less likely to bother you about your choice. You can learn to be funny about it as well, “When are you going to stop nursing him?” “Before he goes to college, I’m sure.”

It’s so amazing! People who haven’t nursed toddlers have no idea!

You know what's best for your baby. Do what your instinct is telling you. ;)

I intended to nurse my first baby until she self-weaned. She weaned around 14 months (in hindsight, I think I undermined my own efforts by introducing whole milk too early). My son is almost 5 months now and I intend to let him take the lead in this weaning business.

We live in a society that seems to have forgotten just how important the first few years of life are when it comes to nutrition. Breastfeeding is the perfect food for babies and toddlers alike. Not only that, it provides an immuno-boost for your little ones like nothing else can. Don't let anyone convince you that your maternal instincts are out of whack. You're doing exactly what you're supposed to be doing.

Well, I don't understand what the problem is.

People seem to think breastfeeding is ok for the first couple of months (like while you are on maternity leave) but then they start thinking the baby needs to stop. Breastfeeding is recommended until at least a year, but after about 5-6 months people want you to move to formula.

I don't know why that is. In public they make you go to a bathroom to feed because they don't want to be around you (when is the last time THEY ate their dinner sitting on a toilet in a public restroom). That is just gross.

If it is making you uncomfortable and you can't tell them to go to hell then stop feeding at the breast and just pump and bottle feed. Your son will still get the feed you want him to have and also they will get what they want.

You might find that you don't make as much milk when you pump as when you breastfeed (because you don't get as much milk as the baby and also you may not pump regularly like you need to). That means you might have to supplement with a bottle of formula every once in a while, but every once is a while is still better than all the time.

I have not, but I am planning on it. I am a big supporter of extended breastfeeding, and even more so of child-led weaning. I plan on breastfeeding at least 2 years, and then let my son decide when he is ready to stop. He is 10 months at the moment and I have gotten a few "When are you going to wean him" questions. I just smile and say "I will let him decide."

I don't have any tips, but I do have a couple of sites that should be helpful.

http://www.kellymom.com/ is great and the Extended Breastfeeding section of http://www.mothering.com/discussions , the ladies at mothering are very helpful.

Good luck and good for you doing what is best for your little one!

it's not really up to them is it now? my mother in law constantly has asked me since my son was born when i was going to stop! well, my son is 13 months and he is still breastfed and shows no signs of giving it up and i'm not going to force him to. in canada they recommend breastfeeding for at least 2 years actually. and think about it...in other countries, alot of babies/toddlers are fed until they are 5 or 7 at most I've read.

For me hopefully my son will be ready to give it up by the time he is two and starting to keep his memories, plus we are going to be trying for another baby in January and it is possible to breastfeed two babies...but that would be extremely exhausting!

good luck!

Let your baby self wean. Babies have read no books telling them when the *right* time is. I fed both my sons until they were four. Not all the time, towards the end it was just occasional night time cuddles to sleep. Cultures who are more... how can I describe it... natural; tend to breastfeed until the child is about four or five.

The right time will be when your baby stops.

Congratulations on going for 8-months, and here's hoping you can make it a full year.

Unfortunately, in today's busy society, you are above average as most doctors are grateful if the baby manages to be breastfeed to age 6 months.

There is nothing wrong with continuing to breastfeed for as long as you can, it just makes you even "more above average".

The only point where typically people will likely look down on you for continuing to breastfeed is when the baby gets old enough to verbally ask for it himself.