breastfeeding and weaning

[thorarb]

What are your thoughts on an appropriate age or time frame to be weaning your child from breastfeeding. My personal opinion is that babies should be on regular cows milk after a year. I really find seeing 2, 3, 4 and even 5yr olds still breastfeeding quite disturbing. I was always taught that by time babies are getting their calories and nurishment from solid foods. To me the breastfeeding would really only be benefiting the mom (I guess) as a child isnt going to need it very often. I do intend on breastfeeding this baby or at least trying but if this one is anything like my son he was eating solids starting at just before 4 months as the formula wasnt enough.

[missi8]

If you guys read reliable articles ablit breasfeeding then you ca. See how much beneficial it is for THE baby not so much the mother. I feel the sosiaty has made breasfeeding more then 6 month as tabu a no no and that is ridicules. "New" resercers say that U should try breasfeeding ur child to 2 years old because it will develope their brain and intelegence and helth much better. Of course our ancestors of only few decade use to breasfeed their children to 2 years wkthout these tabus and resercers. So No K dont fint a child who is less then 2 still breasfeed. But when U speak about 5 years is diffrent. Bit remamber even if u are breasfeeding Ur child more then 1 year U still need to give it solid food and cows milk(for them to deveop of weaning and vitamin).

[sprmom87]

I breastfed for 18 months, the last 6 or so were only if she climbed into bed with me in the middle of the night, so she had weaned herself off during the day and i finished weaning once I was uncomfortable sleeping at night.

[hfitzpatrick720]

Experts say to breastfeed a year.. of course every baby and every mother is different.  I. Breastfed my daughter til she was 16 months. The last four months were only at bed time.. it's what you feel.comfortable with

[Isis1515]

Each of my kids got a sippy cup full of milk on their birthday. I was ready to be done By then,  and I felt that I had given them the full benefit of breast feeding at that point.

[ericatoday]

I think women should stop at around 6 months but if they go over they should just pump. I think after a year its disturbing also. But if you are going to give your kid breast milk you should pump it and put it in a cup for them.

[KieaRai]

After a year it gets weird to me. If my kid can walk over and pull my shirt down, it's to stop. After 6 months they've got all the stuff from you that they really need. I was planning on going a year if I could but after that they're already getting everything they need from regular food so I don't see why I should keep on.

[libellula]

Just adding my two cents.. Im also with the, until 1 year crowd if you can. Obviously if you can't, you can't; but after a year I think it's appropriate to start weaning. Basing this off a degree in child psychology which is heavy in physiology and biology... but again, it's certainly your choice and what works best for you and your baby. :) Personally, I plan to feed breast milk in bottles by 12w because I will be back to work.

[Bigapplefamily]

It really is a personal decision and can vary by child as they are all at different stages and require different times of weaning. I bf my first daughter until past the age of 2. It was completely natural to us and also a natural time to wean. Of course, at that age she was also eating and drinking many other things (I wasn't her sole source of nutrition, we were only nursing once a day or once every few days in the end). A super slow wean is much better on your breasts too than cold turkey or even fast weaning. I began the weaning process after she turned a year and wasn't finished breastfeeding her until after she turned 2. It was a natural wean for us. It might be weird for me to see a 4 year old breastfeeding but it's not my child and I don't judge (especially when there have been studies showing the benefits to both mom and child nursing past the age of 2).

[lala_mommy]

Personally,  and I don't think less of others that do- but I don't feel comfortable giving my children cows milk before they're a year old. And as far as weaning,  whether it be bottle or bf my complete cut off is 1 yr. It has been with both my daughters and I plan on doing the same with this third.  I had a little cousin who bf until she 8, now she's grown and sometimes teased by other family and she's held it against her mom for allowing her to bf for so long.  

[AKCGsMom]

I did child led weaning with each of my children. First, 11 months; second, 9 months; third, 14 months. Each child is different.

[megadams]

I think what works for an individual and their child is what she should do.

I am not arguing at all, because I believe to each their own... but why do you care at all what another woman chooses? You feel it is best to stop by a year, some women believe in doing child led weaning (when your child decides they are done is when you stop, could be 8 months or 2 years) but in any case.. who cares? :)

[abbb01]

I started weaning right at a yrand was done within about a month I might have gone a couple more months but we were trying for #2 and I wasnt ovulating.  I feel 1.5 yrs is as far as I would possibly go. 3yrs and beyond is kinda disturbing to me but each mom to their own. I definitely dont think anyone should give cows milk to lo before a yr because it can be hard on childs kidneys

[mckaylas_momma1018]

With my daughter I could only breastfeed exclusively for 6 weeks-- I think going back to work too early messed me up.... then supplemented until 4 months... this time my goal is 9 mo to 1 year... I think the appropriate age to stop is around 1... I think a toddler still BFing is a little weird

[mitch_14]

It's a personal decision for each mom. I only breastfed my last child to five months.