[Tracey with 6]

DONT SHOOT ME !! how long do you think is too long to feed a child , I know WHO suggests that you feed up to the age of 2, but I also know of ladies who feed up til the child is school age, what do you think ??

[mrmnmom82]

Personally, I wouldn't past the age of 3. I have seen a 3 -4 yr. old lift his mother's shirt up in front of everyone at the photography studio. The mother looked so embarrased, I would be too if my kid just made me flash a bunch of strangers. And she said, "I know you're hungery, we'll go get chicken nuggets in just a minute."

If they can eat a chicken nuggets, I don't think they need breast milk. obviously we feed our children other healthy foods that can take the place of the nutrients provided by breast milk.

At three, I think it's more for the child's comfort than nutritional value. Just my opinion.

[twinzplus3]

We've already discussed this somewhere. . .

But I do have to correct your statement tracy and say that WHO recommends a minimum of 2 years which is a tad different than up to 2 years.

Breastmilk boasts nutritional and immunological properties that go well into the toddler years and for the duration of breastfeeding. There's never an either/or where if they can eat this then they don't need that. Child's comfort though, I would consider a valid reason to breastfeed.
As per WHO recommendations, we actively encourage regular nursing for 24 months. After that, we (--I suppose I should more correctly say I right?) allow them to self-wean. The one exception was my 3rd bc I was pg with the twins.

[MommaColleen]

Val, is it recommended to exclusively BF that long or is it in addition to solids? Just curious.

[twinzplus3]

Oh heavens no. I would've lost my mind. Exclusive bfing is recommended for 6 months. . .although more and more experts are saying to do solids later rather than earlier. Breastmilk is sufficient nutrition for about 12 months. . .so if you wanted to nurse exclusively for 12 months--nutritionally--that'd be fine.

One of my children was exclusively bf for 13 mos. By 20 mos. . . .she still wasn't doing real well with solid food though and was getting more than 50% of her nutrition from breastmilk. I think by 24 mos. she was down to about 50% bm and 50% solids. But she's not normal.

[DK615617]

Originally Posted by twinzplus3

I think by 24 mos. she was down to about 50% bm and 50% solids. But she's not normal.

Too cute!

What about in my case......Tiffany used to carry the boppy to me crying. Now this month she turns 18 months old, she brings me the boppy probably 2 times a day, but doesn't really seem to nurse much.....is she weaning herself? Should I try to keep her going till 24 months????
I planned to nurse her till 24 months and then let her wean..... but she does seem to be losing interest a bit. (which I guess is a good thing) But I don't want her to wean before she should.
What would you do if you were me.
Also, I wonder if my milk is gone cuz I am pg. (I am almost 15 weeks, and she seemed to start to lose interest about 8 weeks into the pg.

[mrmnmom82]

Comfort is a valid reason to nurse. I would just wonder how much, nutritionally, would the child be benifiting? And does it at some point effect them socially? Meaning past the age of 5.

[Tracey with 6]

I actually did look for the other discussion, but couldn't find it.

[twinzplus3]

--Tracy--I couldn't find it either but unless some other mod objects--I'm happy to start a new one. The people who were mostly involved aren't here anymore and that particular discussion was about one family and extremes.

DK: pregnancy does change your milk. . .the production and the taste of it. I am uncomfortable saying what you should do. . .. How do I know? But I'll tell you that I nursed through all of my pg except for my twins. I weaned #3 in part bc she was simply horrible to nurse and bc I didn't think I could handle nursing her and twins and taking care of five under 6 at the same time. I know another mom who chose not to wean and happily nursed all three. But she just had those 3. I've written several articles on tandem nursing a toddler and an infant--it can be done if you want to do it. Should you actively encourage her to nurse while you're pg? Well, I think that's up to you. Do you want to tandem nurse after the pg? If not--then I suggest working towards weaning. If you are comfortable with that arrangement--then I would suggest following your child's lead.
Mrmnmom: As far as nutritional benefits--they don't stop--ever. There are always nutritional and immunological benefits to breastmilk at is "living" and active. As far as socially--I think that really depends on the situation. There are countries where nursing this long is common--so I guess you could say that being weaned early would make the child a social outcast. Not only that, but in many other countries, any of the lactating women in the family will nurse--so that means you could get milkies from Auntie Virginia for an afternoon snack! Personally, the longest I've ever nursed is 3.9 years. My twins are currently 37mos and still nursing. I assume they'll wean themselves this year which will officially end my tenure as a nursing mother--right now I'm at 9.4 years. . .will I make it to 10? Anyhow, all that to say is that I'm not automatically opposed to someone nursing that long--I would have some concerns in some situations.

[MommaColleen]

Thanks Val, I was just curious. I read some place (maybe 2 years ago now) that you should not introduce solids until they are closer to 2 year old if you BF. Of course I went looking for that article after she was born and cannot for the life of me remember where online I found it.

Emma is 10 months old and does eat her share of solids. She typically BF's for comfort, a drink, and her early morning feeding (typically right around 7am). If memory serves me she was between 4&5 months when we started adding some fruit to her diet.