Who is nursing a toddler, or even past age 3?

Question

I hear about "closet nursers," and just wonder how many moms actually continue to breast feed their baby into young childhood.

All beneficial signs point to yes, but we're so culturally freaked out by it, people seem to be so eager to wean.

What if it's best for our children, but we let society tell us it's "weird" and deprive them of such a fundamental nutritional need?? How sad would that be....

Answer 1

I am still nursing my almost two and a half year old.

It hurts but he is not ready to ween.

Answer 2

I nursed 2 of my children until just over 2 years old. My son stopped himself but I would have gone longer if he wanted to. I kinda weaned my daughter but she would nurse every few days as a sort of comfort or little game. I say if the child wants to nurse longer then go ahead and nurse them. I do think if you see a five yr old nursing it is a little too old though.

Answer 3

I'm nursing a 28 month old and a 8 month old.

As to when we will stop you would have to ask the kiddies, but I have to tell you they have no concept of time.

Answer 4

It's depressing how people are creeped out by breastfeeding. I can't believe anyone would say that breastfeeding past a certain age causes mental issues. Give me a break. There's very little difference between breastfeeding a newborn and breastfeeding a two year old and breastfeeding a three year old.

I would have kept breastfeeding my daughter, but she lost interest. Right now she's 3.5 and very interested in the mechanics of breastfeeding. She thinks that I need to put milk from the fridge into my b***s, and keeps asking me to put some in so she can drink it. It's pretty funny. I think she's thinks they're like a cup or something.

I have to add, while I don't know many moms who breastfed their kids past age 3 or so, I do know several who, after having a second child, let their kids try breastfeeding when they started lactating again.

It's just a normal function of the human body. No big deal at all. It's pathetic that people equate it with some kind of sexual abuse.

Answer 5

my son is 33 months old...he will be 3 in november and he still nurses a bit. I have him to the point that he will go to sleep without nursing, but every few days he has to have a "little taste".

we pretty much do not nurse out in public anymore, only at home.

Answer 6

I only kicked my two year old off the breast because pregnancy was causing lots of pain and sensitivity.  She plans to begin nursing again after the baby is born!  She was almost  30 months old when she stopped nursing and she'll be about 34 months when he's born.

I don't keep too quiet about it, just because I want people to hear about toddler nursing and start to think that's it's not so weird after all.

Sarah makes a really good point--don't our toddlers turn back into babies while thy're nursing?  Sure, they climb around on us like monkeys, but they seem to magically transform back into a baby.  It only lasts a moment, then they have better things to do . . . There is no difference between nursing a baby and nursing a toddler.  Except the gymnastics !

Mystryma, can you prove that?  Of course not.  There are no real research studies that support what you say, only guesses.  The white, middle-aged men who made these guesses had never seen a baby breastfeed, let alone a toddler.  Primitive cultures know that toddlers need to nurse for several reasons, and they're shocked at our cruelty when we rip our babies from the breast at such an early age.

Answer 7

It is not necessarily nutritionally beneficial. It can also cause mental and social issues. Many kids develop unnatural relationships or ideas of what the world is like. It is very unnatural and ridiculous. If your kid can chew, give them food. If they walk to you and let you know that they want some. WEAN!

Answer 8

You can still give them breast milk via pumping without having to breast feed them.  It's very good for them to get breast milk as long as possible.

Answer 9

I nursed my two until they were 2 and 2.5.  I got a lot of greif especially for my oldest who was not very descreet about asking for it.  But I really think it was great for both of them who got a lot emotionally from it.  I don't think it gives them weird ideas.  sigh.  Just because I dont want them nursing at 6 doesn't mean I have to wean at 15months.  It is just stupid.  

Of course, if people don't breast feed there is plenty of nutritious and emotional options.  My sister has adopted a child and I think she should not be worried about what she missed.

Answer 10

My son is 14 months and I plan to nurse him until he is at least 24 months.  If he wants to continue past that we may have a battle with his Da and a new sibling, but I always win, so it doesn't really matter!