Extended Breastfeeding after 12 months

Question

I'm breastfeeding my 6 month old son, but have started getting lots of comments from friends and family on when I'm going to wean him onto formula, the thing is I want to breast feed him until at least a year, and would like to feed him maybe two, but I DREAD the stick I'm going to get, especially from my mother who thinks it's disgusting past six months and that I'm some raving perv for even thinking it!

Is it wrong? I've read many articles stating the benefits up until babies are two, but they don't have to sit there cringing when people are giving me the 'evil eye!' The pressure I'm getting now from everyone is quite horrible :-(

Answer 1

Frankly, they can go s***w themselves!!  Are they raising your child?  Are they solely responsible for his wellbeing??  No.  You are.  I'm in the same boat as you, I plan to at least breastfeed until 12 months, hopefully 24!  It is gaining more recongnition that you think.  Talk to your local La Leche League leader or get into a breastfeeding support group!  That way you wont feel like you are totally on your own!

Answer 2

Why would anyone think it's wrong to nurse past 6 months?  What if there was no such thing as formula?

I nursed one of my "babies" until he was 2 1/2 and I'm nursing my 22 month old.  Nobody but my (supportive) family and the doctor knew I was nursing the 2-year-old.  The doctor totally disagreed with me.  I found a new doctor.  She's not much better, for many reasons, not just the nursing thing.  At my youngest child's 12 month check-up she asked when I weaned and I told her that he was still nursing.  She said it was time to wean.  At the next check-up I lied and told her that he WAS weaned.   (Why does she need to know anyway?)

Go to the AAP website and show your mom where all those prominent child specialists say it's in your baby's best interest to nurse for at least a year.  If you nurse longer than that, show her the WHO's website where they say to nurse for at least two years.  Go to the La Leche League's website.  There are so many reputable organizations who all want you to breastfeed for YEARS!

Answer 3

i breast fed for the first 6 months because there is no recorded proof that the alltogether value of breastfeeding outweighs the value of table foods over the age of one there are several theries but no solid recorded proof  i mean everyone aggrees that breastfeeding till the  age of one is best for the baby but after that its mostly for the mothers comfort then for the babies nutritional values and or imuno health

plus just my opinion nothing else but when they are old enough to let you know wich boob they want then they are old enough to wean

Answer 4

There is absolutely nothing wrong with nursing your baby for however long you so desire (or until your baby gives it up!!) My first child had to be bribed to stop (she was passed 3 yrs old) my second gave it up at 2 and 1/2 yrs. and my baby gave it up at 16 months. you never know.

But no one should be telling you that it's disgusting. It's not. It's a G-d given treat. Enjoy it while it lasts!!

Answer 5

Ok, here's how you family members who are squeamish about breastfeeding and have the audacity to pressure you.

Just smile and shake your head and say, "Oh, my doctor warned me that I might have to deal with criticism from people with outdated information about baby nutrition.  She even said that some people get nursing all mixed up with issues of sexuality.  Can you believe that?  I told her that I wouldn't have to worry about that from my family. They want what's best for the baby. You DO want what's best for the baby, don't you?"  

What's she going to say?  No?

If worse comes to worse, go to great gramma as an allie.  My husbands grandfather was the one who told everyone to back the h**l off about the breastfeeding.  He said in his day, all the women used to sit on their front steps and nurse their babies like it was the most natural thing in the world.  Which it is! :D

Answer 6

Wait! You are being pressured to switch from the option that is the most healthy, most convenient and cheapest?  Sometimes momma knows best...

I don't know if this helps, but when dealing with older generations, it's important to remember that breastfeeding has not always been considered the best option.  Your mother-in-law, as well as many other women, was probably told that breastfeeding is only what the poor do because they can't afford whats best for the baby.  The belief then was that it's better to give a baby known nutrients as opposed to unknown nutrients.  However today we know that breastmilk has over 150 different nutrients and formula has only 12 or so

Answer 7

Of course you should breastfeed for however long you and your son want to, there are tremendous health benefits for both of you for as long as you carry on.

As for your mom, friends and family -- :-(

Poor them for being so misinformed and clueless, try to educate them, and most of all -- try to make breastfeeding something normal to them by not hiding it, the more they see it, the more they will get used to it.

And if they give you any troubles, or tell you you should wean him, pull out a "Oh don't be silly".

Don't let them get to you.

Answer 8

I've also read that other countries breast feed their children until they're well into being toddlers. I think it's wonderful. Your body makes the healthiest food for the baby, and it's free. It seems like a lot of work, but if it's what you want to do, right on! Tell your mother to shut up, she already raised her kids. :)

Answer 9

I say good on you!!!

You feed your baby as long as you want to, there is nothing discusting or perverted about it. Don't worry what people think or say,ytour doing the best for your baby and thats great.

Answer 10

You are absolutely NOT wrong for wanting to do this! I am breastfeeding my daughter, how is now 8 months old, and I plan to keep breastfeeding until she is at least 1 year. I still have certain family members who like to tell me horror stories and breastfeeding, and like to talk about her being a 'tiitty baby' or other slang. But I just ignore them, I know what is best for my daughter, and you know what is best for you son! Anyone who has a problem with it and thinks is disgusting or thinks its wrong just has something wrong with them in my opinion. Ask your mom what women did before there were bottles? I bet she won't have an answer for that!! Here is a link explaining the befits of breastfeeding, and if you feel too nice to ignore, tell them your knowledge.

Answer 11

truthfully, you should do what YOU want to do. The heck with everyone else. Within the next 3-4 months your son will rely more on table foods and less on breast milk. I always said "oh gee, he is at the point where he only nurses when he is tired. He is just stubborn about that nap time feeding". My son is 33 months old and STILL "stuck" at that point of weaning. I had him almost weaned, and something set him back. Or blatantly LIE and tell them that he has some digestive issues and the doctor told you it would be a good idea to nurse him a little longer while his system matures.

truthfully, I am seeing more and more moms try to nurse their toddlers. My niece was tandem nursing her 2 year old and her baby the last time I spoke with her. My son is 6 month older and we sit during family gatherings and nurse the boys together.

you could also bring up my pet peeve and see if it shocks her into silence...why is it that it is fine to see a 3 year old walking around with a bottle (especially full of pop or koolaid), but it is wrong to see a 9 month old nursing, or god forbid an 18-24 month old curled up on mom's lap having a snuggle and a quick nurse?

editing to add: My doctor applauded me for extended nursing the times that my son got gastroenteritis and norovirus. He would not eat a solid bite of food for 10 full days. He got to the point where he did not want fluids from a cup. If I had not been nursing him he would have ended up in the hospital on an IV. During some of those illnesses my son could not keep down water or even flat gingerale, but NEVER vomited up breastmilk.

Answer 12

Do not be confrontational with people who are against you continuing breastfeeding.  It's hard not to get emotional about providing your baby with good nutrition, but telling someone off is not going to help the situation.  You can arm yourself with these facts politely tell the naysayers that:

- American Association of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding until 12 months or more.  

"Pediatricians and parents should be aware that exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life and provides continuing protection against diarrhea and respiratory tract infection.30,34,128,178–184 Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child."

-World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding to two years or longer.

- Breastfeeding is good for baby and mother's health.

Sometimes it's best to just say "my doctor suggested I keep breastfeeding."  Or to continue breastfeeding but not in front of your mom.

Answer 13

there is no problem with breast feeding until a year or even a little longer.  my friend did it until her kid was 18 mths and then he had all his teeth and bit her nipple and she had to get stiches!  So if your kid is a biter you might not want to go 2 yrs.  but i see nothing wrong with going at least a yr.  and then you can just go to regular milk.  your mom is full of it and you should just tell her off. its your kid and you get to raise him however you want!

Answer 14

Breast feed as long as you want. Pay no attention to what every one else says. We are the only country that frowns upon nursing after 6 months. other countries breast feed til 3 or 4 years old.

Tell them nicely to mind their own business. Try to educate them on the benefits of nursing.  

Answer 15

Of course it's not wrong to continue to breastfeed past one year.  You knew that, too - but it's OK to want an electronic pep talk! :+)  It will be hard, but as you already know, people (esp moms and MILs) offer lots of unsolicited advice and you have to do what you *know* is right, regardless.

I've been nursing my son for 14 months and he loves it and so do I. We get time to cuddle - which is a big deal in the busy life of a toddler.  As he's trying all sorts of new solid foods, this is the one constant in his diet.  While my mom was also sort of - well, disgusted is a strong word - but less than pleased to see my son start to lift up my shirt when we were playing together recently, I reminded her how much evidence there is that breastfeeding is good for him and for me.  (Frankly, he has only had one cold so far and I attribute that entirely to nursing.  Also, it's great for my metabolism and I can't say that I mind losing a pound or two a month without trying.)

Our parents also brought us home on their laps in the front seat, and that sounds abominable to us now.  Remind them about how much things have changed.  You can even say something about how your son will do things differently with his own kids someday.  Of course, breastfeeding will hopefully continue to be acknowledged as a wonderful thing to do!