How Long

Go as long as you want. I did each of my kids for 14 months. It is easy to go ahead and do it the first year and then take a couple of months to let them adjust to milk.

I breastfed my oldest daughter until she was 25 months when she just sort of phased it out on her own. I have an 8 week old baby now that I hope will go just as long, but at least until 1 year. Where I live (Norway), breastfeeding is more common than bottle feeding, which makes it easier.

As the other mothers have said, WHO recommends until 2 years of age, but I say anything is better than nothing, and as long as you both enjoy it.

Good luck!

I breast fed my oldest until he bit me, which was about 9 months. My youngest went 13 months - I had to cut him off. I never had enough to pump except after the morning feeding after that it was only about 2 oz. per breast if I was lucky. I think you need to what you feel is right.

Good luck!

I nursed mine til after 2 years old. But it is a personal choice. However, I have known moms that planned to nurse til at least a year and were derailed by low supply before that. Early introduction of solids can decrease demand (AAP and breastfeeding groups like La Leche League recommend starting solids around 6 months of age). Also, other supplements, particularly at night, decrease supply too because that's a missed feeding and your breasts think they're being told to slow down production.

I breastfed my second for over two years without ever touching a pump once. Pumping is not required for successful breastfeeding (unless you want dad to be able to give a bottle for some reason or you're going to be separated from your baby for more than a couple hours). I always just had dad do things like give baths, change clothes, nap on his chest to bond with baby.

You might try going to a La Leche League meeting, it's a great place to be around other breastfeeding moms and get some tips for things that have worked well for them.

Enjoy that baby! :-)

Regardless of supply and supplements, you nurse as long as it works for the both of you. The longer the better. I have four children whom I nursed as long as possible, but for each one it was different. 16 months, six months, 2 1/2 years, one year and counting. If you need support, I highy recommend La Leche league--even if it's just on the phone. But whatever you choose, try to go at least six months to give you and her the best start.

You can do it! Enjoy it while you can!

Mine were over 2 when I weaned - both times. It was a personal choice. It was handy when they were sick, or when I desperately needed a nap (neither one napped otherwise after 18 months).

The American Academy of Pediatrics says at least six months, a year is better. The World Health Organization says until two, then as long as mutually desired by both mom and baby.

All that boils down to - as long as it's right for you and your baby. :)

S.

I didn't know how long I could but I really enjoyed that bonding time. I was able to nurse til my daughter was 14 mos. It was not always easy but well worth it and saved us money. I pumped once a day while I was at work. She would take a bottle during the day and would still latch on so I could feed her whem i was home. Some babies will wean themselves as you introduce new foods. Just follow your gut feeling on this. You will know when the time is right.

S.-
I am currently breastfeeding my 5th child (11 months old) and plan on continuing until he is about 18 months. With my 3 oldest children, I stopped at 12 months (we thought our 4th child would be our last! ha ha the Lord had different plans! :) Anyway, I nursed him until he was 18 months also) but I know this will be my last baby, so, like you, I want him to be my baby as long as I can! I'm sure you know how fast they grow up---my children are 16,14,11,8 and 11 months already! I think you should breast feed as long as you feel comfortable with it---this is YOUR baby and you know what is best for you both.

God Bless and have a Merry Christmas!
K. M.

I breastfed my first for 6 months and my second for 4 1/2 months. I think it really is a personal decision. I probably would have liked to doing it longer with both under different circumstances. I went back to work with both after 3 months and I could not find the energy or time to pump as much as I needed to during the day to keep up with demand. With my second I was chasing around a toddler, working full time and caring for a newborn. My energy level was maxed out and I would fall asleep before my much needed 10pm pumping session! I would have liked to have continued breastfeeding for at least as long as my first. However, it just did not work out that way. So, like I said, it is a very personal decision.

Hi, S.!

I think I'm a bit out of the norm regarding how long to breastfeed, but I did it for about 20 months with each of my two daughters. They took bottles fine, from both my husband and babysitters. I also started them on food at the "normal" times, so for the majority of the period I nursed them, it was just to supplement and then it became something I just did at night. I went back to work full-time after 12 weeks with the 2nd one and worked part-time with the first one, but just pumped at work both times. If you don't have enough to pump, just do it anyway after every breastfeeding. Your body will likely figure out that it needs to produce more milk and should start to do so. I highly recommend that you continue to breastfeed until you and/or your baby are no longer interested. It's the COOLEST thing that you're able to feed and bond with your baby in such a unique way. Too, it's said that breast-fed babies tend to be smarter. I don't know if that's true and has anything to do with my daughters, but they're both in the gifted and talented program at their school...I hope this is helpful!

I say as long as you enjoy it. Any breastfeeding at all is beneficial to the baby; I don't go by the world health organization, because those recommendations consider the third world countries where children are malnourished and nutrition is not available, or areas where the formula is not good, so breastmilk is needed for the nutrition of the child. I go more by the american acadamy of pediatrics who recommend at least one year. I breastfed my first until he was a year, and then we were both ready to stop and he transitioned easily. My second baby, who is almost 13 months is a different story; he is not ready to wean, and I'm really not either, so I'll probably go a couple more months before we stop. We only do it bedtime and occasionally morning at this point anyway. After a year of age, the child does not get very much nutrition from breastmilk anymore but it's still good bonding time. Enjoy it.

I nursed my first one until he was 10 months. I would have nursed longer, but I was pregnant with my second, and they were sucking the life out of me!

The second one would not let go! She nursed (not full time) until she was about 16 months. The last 3 or 4 months was only at bed time though.

I know of this one lady that nursed until the kid was over FIVE! That is kinda ooky...

I think one year minimum is the ideal if you can do it. Longer if possible. If you'd like to build up a supply to use in place of formula, try pumping a little right before feeding, when your breasts are very full. The baby's sucking motion is much stronger than the pump's so she will stimulate more production. And if you feel she didn't get enough, you could always feed her some of what was just pumped. Nursing is all about supply and demand...formula feeding reduces the demand, therefore reducing the production.

Also important is to keep mom as healthy as possible in order to produce the highest quality milk. I recommend a whole food supplement called Juice Plus+, which contains 17 fresh, raw fruits, veggies and grains in a capsule. It's great for bridging the gap between what we know we should eat and what we actually do find time to eat, especially when nursing, right? I know my babies always got hungry as soon as I put a meal on the table.

If you'd like more info on that, you can email me. I love it so much I decided to market it so I could make it available to other moms.

Good luck!

____@____.com

I'm still nursing and my daughter is 2 1/2. I can't imagine giving it up, and I know she isn't ready. Good luck!

I had problems when I first started due to me getting Shingles RIGHT after giving birth (ARGH!). Took about 3.5 months to get back on track. He's 20 months old and we're still nursing (he can say "nurse" in english and baby sign it :). I'll probably stop around 2, but he's cut back on his own because life is so interesting he forgets to nurse. He likes drinking juice, water, tea, etc. so that also helps. He did bite me a couple times when he was around 10 mos - I yelped and yelled at him "NO!" - scared the pants off him and he hasn't done it on purpose since - and he has 16 teeth, so I'd know!

I nursed my daughter for 24 months while being a SAHM. As a working mom I nursed my son for 9 months as it was harder for me to nursed. My milk production stopped otherwise I would have kept nursing.

still nursing & dd is 16 mo; i'm hopeful to nurse her at least 2 years as per the world health organization's recommendation.

and i totally second (or third?) the kellymom.com site -- it's amazingly-packed with wonderful information for breastfeeding mothers of all kinds.

This is number 3 and I am planning on nursing for a year. She is almost 10 months old now and we are doing great. I was able to nurse my first for a year, my second until he was 8 months. So I truely believe you have to do what is best for your family. I also know that you never get as much pumping. Congratualtions on doing is as long as you have!

My first weaned about 10 months, my second at a year - both did switch between breast and bottle when I worked. My 3rd nursed until 2 1/2 - she never took a bottle at all. Every child is different - I nursed until my children no longer wanted to.

I have a 14 month old. I wanted to wean at 12 months -- but my daughter had a different idea. ;-) We are still nursing at morning, night and a couple times during the day (based on her lead). The rest of the time she gets milk from a cup (either breastmilk I pumped and froze before or the lipil toddler formula). I will tell you that at about 9 months (after she started eating more solid meals) she sort of seemed uninterested in nursing and if I was going to wean I probably should have done it then. Now she seems to like to nurse for more emotional reasons - I think she enjoys the private time she and I share during nursing. Anyway, you should nurse as long as you both want - and if she tries to give it up before you are ready -- stick with it a little longer and she may change her mind. ;-)

Personal choice. Do what you think's best for you and your baby. I nursed for a year, my second, and 7 months, my first.

Hi S.,
I have 3 children. I nursed my younger two. My middle child I nursed for six months, and my youngest for TWO years. I am now pregnant again and I plan on nursing as long as my baby wants to. I view breastfeeding as a childs nourishment and the bond you share...I don't even have the words to describe. Ultimately, its up to you and how you and your baby feel. Do what you feel is right and what you feel is best for your baby. And don't let anyone tell you your wrong...you know your baby better than anyone else.
God bless.
D.

My first one nursed almost a year and my second gave up around 5 months- she never could get enough and was losing weight. I think if you are still comfortable with it and she still enjoys it- keep going.

I'm nursing my fourth child and he is 13 months. I've been nursing almost 7 years straight!

Hi S.,
My daughter is 13 months and nurses about 4 times a day, and once at night. I plan to nurse her until she is ready to stop, which for a lot of children is between 18 and 24 months.
J.

I nursed #1 for 15 months. That last month it was done to 1 feeding just before bed and she wasn't that interested, so it was sort of mutual to stop.

#2 is almost 4 months and my goal is 1 year.

As a working mom who pumps, I can tell you that pumping takes practice and you must be relaxed and thinking about baby. The more often you pump, the more your body will get the hang of it and you will get more. I remember when I first started pumping and was getting 1/2 ounce from each side. It was really crushing b/c I did not want to give formula. However, it's not uncommon for me to now pump 4 - 5 oz.

Good luck.

My goal was to breastfeed for the first year. During that year I couldn't imagine the time I'd have to give up that most special time with my baby. But as the year mark approached, it just seemed right. By the end of my son's 13th month, he was completely weaned. My next son stopped nursing on his own at 9mo for whatever reason, which was hard for me because I wasn't ready yet! Some things you just can't plan!

Hi S.! To answer your question, I am currently nursing my 3rd baby who turns 3 next month. My older boys weaned at 19 months and 2 1/2 years.

Even though most doctors will still say it's "ok" to start solids as early as 4 months, the newer recommendations based on recent research say it's better to wait till 6 months; and breastfed babies don't really *need* solids until a year or so. If you really want to continue breastfeeding, please be very careful about your use of formula, as it will decrease your supply over time. If you are not expressing much through pumping, you might want to look into a different type of pump.

Best of luck!

My 3rd child is two and I still am. I only wanted to do it until he was 1 year old. I have two older children that I only did for 2-3 months. I was too young and too busy with school and work that I didn't do it longer. I wanted to breastfeed for the first year, now we are on two years and he's not stopping. We are attached, both of us. I really just wanted him to quit on his own, or not interested in it that much. I enjoy our time together still.
Good Luck, I'm glad you are doing it!

I have a 15 month old that still loves his evening nursing session. As long as both mom and baby want the nursing to continue, it is fine. Cultures outside of the U.S. nurse their babies much longer than we do.

Hello, I have 4 kids ages 4 to 10. I nursed all of them. My oldest I only nursed to 8 1/2 months, my next one till 11 months, then my next one 8 1/2 months due to I found out I was pregnant and my last one was until 4 months before she turned 3. My pediatrician says at least 1 year is good. But you as the parent have to decide when it is not working for you anymore. It is very personal between you and the child. Good luck

I nursed my son until he was 17 months. I have a 8 week old daughter and plan on nursing her just as long. :)

Hi S.,

I nursed my daughter until she was 15 months, at which point she was pretty much ready to face the world on her own. My son is 2 years, 9 months, and I have just decided that I have had enough. I was out of town for a week, so I just didn't nurse him when I came home. That was 3 weeks ago and he is still asking a couple of times a week to nurse. I just can't do it anymore, though. Nursing was preventing him from sleeping well. It just became something for him to do when he was bored.

Several posters said they never pumped, and I agree that it's not necessary. If you are worried about your milk supply and want to increase it, fenugreek or fennel tea is an excellent, safe way.

Good luck!

M.
www.yogapotential.com

I nursed my first for 18 months and my second for 2 years. And I NEVER thought I'd be the mom to nurse so long. My boys just really were comforted by it long after it was primary for nutrition, and I liked being able to be close with them and comfort them after the 1-year mark when we took the pacifier away. I'm pregnant now with number three and plan to nurse as long as she is interested and it works for our family. Admittedly it's hard to nurse outside the home after a certain point because some people look at you funny, not that that should in any way deter you, of course! But after about a year or a year my babies were so interested in other things that they only want to nurse once or twice a day anyway, so it wasn't a problem for me. Hope you find all the support and input you're looking for!

the first time it was 5 months. the second a year...which was perfect for me and him both! he was ready for milk and i was ready to have my body back! lol

As long as possible. I have one daughter that nursed until about 2 1/2. Her younger sister weaned at 15 months. The current baby is almost 1 and still going strong.

I went 9 months on my first and that was perfect for me. I know you can nurse when pregnant but I am now pregnant and I just felt like I didn't want to do both. I never had a plan on how long I wanted to go. I talked to women in my childbirth, breastfeeding classes and they all had a plan. I didn't even think about it! Since my son was doing great on solid foods, the nursing while pregnant didn't appeal to me and my dr was totally satisfied with my son's growth, health, etc. (and I was pumping anyway so the time factor was huge)

I just weaned my 2 1/2 year old over Thanksgiving! (The World Health Organization recomends nursing until age 2 and then however much longer is mutually desireable.)

I breastfed my daughter until she was 11 1/2 months old and like you never had enough to pump just enough to nurse. I started her on cereal at night at about 4 months old and continued to nurese. I am currently expecting a little boy anyday now and plan to nurse as long as I can with him as well. I think it is just up to you and what your comfortable with.

My 21 month old dd is still going strong. Here's a great website with lots of nursing info. www.kellymom.com

Depends on the baby. I nursed my first two for about a year, the first I intentionally weaned, the second tapered off pretty much by himself, and my third I nursed until he was just about two when again, it just tapered off. If you are comfortable, baby wants to, and nutritonally things are still okay, when it is time, you will know.

I nursed my daughter until she was 12 months, my middle son weaned himself at 10 months, and I plan on nursing my 10 month old until he's 12 months.