Weaning...though I'd Do It, Now I Don't Know!

I found that the older they were the easier it was to wean. I night weaned my kids around 18mo, and didn't expect them to sleep though the night until then (sometimes they did, sometimes they didn't). I weaned two of my kids at 2yo and two of them at 3yo. And I don't regret a minute of it. What other people thought was of no importance to me, I did what was best for my babies.

I just posted a weaning question for my 15 month old :) She won't wean off anyway. :P But I definitely wouldn't stop if you don't want to, it certainly won't harm her.

Totally with you on this one. Do what you think best serves the emotional and physical needs of both you and your daughter. Our society has always had a fairly puritanical opinion of breastfeeding. The rest of the world (whose cultures have been around lots longer than ours!) see it so much more naturally than we do. By the way, the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding until at least 2 years old.... my daughter is also 9 months old and I'm going to nurse her as long as she wants me to! I never quite understood the rationale behind stopping before mother and child were ready. It seems to me that the only reason people wean their children from breastfeeding before mom or baby is ready is to make other people more comfortable with their choices.

I weaned my daughter at 25 months because I was 7 months pregnant and I wanted to have a good window between weaning DD and nursing the newborn to hopefully help DD1 have a chance to gain independence. I didn't want to wean her, but I have supply issues so I wouldn't be able to tandem nurse.

Anyway, I think it's extremely important to nurse to 2 years if you can! My DD was NEVER sick - it was incredible. Breastmilk offers the kind of immune system support that we can't replicate with anything else, and to take it away before the "explorative" toddler stage, does our children a disservice.

IMHO people who view nursing a child to the age of 3 (world average) as disgusting or abusive have bought into the hyper-sexualization of breasts to such an extreme extent that they've lost sight of their own body's hugely important and beautiful function. How sad.

Hugs to you for breastfeeding as far as 9 months! Really...that's awesome and wonderful!

I had the same epiphany about breastfeeding. Why stop at just 9 months or a year, you know? So I kept going because it helped me parent better. I nurse a 4 yo (very rarely...about once a week) and a 2 yo. I cannot overemphasize how thankful I am to have nursing in "Mommy's toolbox." When one of my boys gets hurt, we could nurse to make it feel better and calm the tears. When I need to distract my 2 yo from destroying my 4 year old's block towers, I have the option to nurse. My 2 yo protests a nap in his crib when I lay him down. I could let him scream in there while he throws out blankets, pillows, and takes off his cloths or I have the option to hold him and nurse him until he falls asleep gently without fussing or crying.

Nursing helps me be a better mom. Truly it does!

"Mothering your Nursing Toddler" and "How Weaning Happens" are good books to read. You might also check out a local La Leche League group to connect with other moms nursing toddlers. Soon you may be asked to nurse your daughter's stuffed animals (I've nursed Godzilla) and you may want to share these stories with other nursing mothers who understand and can share the laugh with you!

Here's a good fact sheet on breastfeeding past infancy: www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html

Have fun on your nursing adventures!

I loved breastfeeding my babies. With my firstborn, I gave myself a "time line" of 12 months. That was how long I expected to breast feed. Of course, once my baby was born and nursing her was a reality instead of this movie I played in my head, I came to LOVE it. I loved holding my daughter in my arms and wondered how would I feel when she was no longer nursing. She self weaned at 19 months old. I was sad of course, but knew it was her time to stop, not mine. I had to embrace it. Then second baby came around and I loved nursing her too! When she was 2 and still nursing, people would comment about it. Nothing rude, just matter-of-fact observations that I was nursing a toddler. In my eyes and heart, I did not see my 2 year old as a toddler. She was my baby (she's 8 yrs old now and still my baby!). I loved nursing her as much as she enjoyed it. Then she was 2 1/2 then we approached her 3rd birthday and yes, she was still nursing! My husband at this point would lovingly suggest that I call it quits, my sister who was not a mother at the time thought it was weird and outsiders would look at me strange and make comments that I felt were out of line. When I became pregnant with my third child, I was still nursing my second daughter. I didn't mind, but breastfeeding became painful. She was gentle, never bit me, but pregnancy made my breasts very sensitive and latching her on became unbearable...so I decided to wean her with love. She officially was weaned at 3 years and 5 months. I was okay with it and my daughter was not traumatized.

Long term breastfeeding is not gross or weird but I am offended when people who are offended by it feel the need or right to say something about it when it doesn't concern them at all.. It's a very personal decision that doesn't concern anyone but the mother who chooses to her nurse her baby for as long as she wants to. At some point, I stopped nursing my baby in public once I was aware that "outsiders" were not comfortable with it. I resorted to nursing her at home and I'm sorry I allowed people, strangers to intimidate me to stop doing something that I was okay with in the first place.

Of course you are beginning to understand why mothers extend breastfeeding. Those moments when your baby is attached to you is YOUR bonding time that only you can provide. Sure, you can give her a sippy cup or a bottle but you and your baby have a connection that only the two of you can share. It's a beautiful relationship to have with our babies and no, it doesn't last forever. At some point you will know when you are ready to let go and perhaps your baby will even give you signs that she is ready to move on as well. Do what feels right for you, do what is right for the relationship you have with your baby, and do not allow intrusive outsiders to convince you that what you are doing is something to be ashamed of. Breastfeeding is not shameful, no matter what the age of the baby. It's a personal decision that does not concern anyone else but you.

i have a breastfeeding 2 year old, thats really all i have to say to say "yeah, i understand that line of thinking". I really dont understand why you once found it so "disgusting and abusive" My daughter eats with a fork, speak in sentences, walks, jumps, jokes, counts and sings the abcs but she still requires comfort while going to bed. In other countries people dont bat an eyelash at toddlers who breastfeed, but here in america, in the land of the breast implant and wonder bra people tend to sexualize the breast more and the line between aesthetics and sustenance is blurred. Personally i think abrupt weaning and weaning before a baby is ready can be likened to ripping up a comfort blanket but hanging it on the wall to remind the child that it is still there but they cant have it.

I guess you could say i am very opinionated on the subject. Im weaning at a slower pace than i would like. I would prefer disinterest followed by independence like some lucky mothers get (and like i got with my first), but children arent shaped by cookie cutters. I got a slightly more needy baby this time and will conform my life in order to raise her with comfort and security, to develop coping skills and a strong mother-child bond in which i find tantamount to perfect for her development, and my sanity.

My daughter was taught nursing manners by 1 years old.
She was eating 3 solids meals a day by 1 years old
She self weaned at 4.5 y/o

When your child is finally able to communicate - without a doubt - what they want... why would you then refuse it? Nursing up to 5-6 y/o is very normal in many societies and up to 4 y/o is common in other developed nations. Why is a talking child asking for the comfort and superior nutrition of the breast so obscene? What makes an infant vs a talking toddler needing the same closeness, safety, love and health benefits that much of a stretch for most people?

Why is it that American women are so weak minded that they allow society to make them feel that breasts are simply male playtoys, meant only for male consumption - - yet are truly ONLY there to nurse their babies?

I've heard so many women force wean their infant/child because their husband was too grossed out to play with their breasts because they had milk in them - not even that they leaked - but simply because the husband 'knew' there was milk! Since when did your husband own anything on your body? Your child has a right to nurse... that is a huge part of Motherhood... or at least it should be.

Hugs to you fellow Mama,

I have to say I was right in your place a few years ago. Before, I thought it was weird, nursing was only for babies. I could not, would not understand why my cousin nursed to 2. She would say the doctor says it's ok. I was apart of the crowd that I wish I never was.

I went through the same feelings as you. Although, I never thought nursing was disgusting, I just never thought it was quite right past, whatever I thought babyhood was gone. As my DD reached 6 months, then 9, then she had her first birthday. I thought I was not ready, and she surely felt the same. I looked at her and knew that our nursing was nothing wrong. It's actually something I wanted, almost needed her to remember.

That is when it was final, I was nursing until she was through. That is when everything changed. I was proud when she told me nursing stories, even in public and around other people (who might not like the idea). I became more vocal about breastfeeding and our love for it. I became empowered by growing my own child and wanted everyone else to experience that same joy. I could not wait for her to give nursing a nick name, and I smiled while nursing in public. Nothing and no one will tell me different.

DD is going on 4 in April. She still nurses. She is slowly weaning and boy is she the most independent child I know. She is funny and smart, she will spot out other nursing mothers and children and say how lucky they are. She appreciates it just as much as I do. She makes funny stories, and she asks me to nurse different things. Just yesterday, I nursed a river rock, because it was sad and "Mommies makes things better". Through nursing, I taught her something that I never thought was my goal. She turns to people for comfort and not things. It's taught her what breasts are really for. I have no doubt in my soul that, from her nursing into childhood, she will not have as much body issues as I did growing up.

Please don't take this as an attack to anyone who formula feeds. I can only tell you my experience and what I think about it. I now encourage all mothers to breastfeed for as long as it's mutually needed/wanted. If a mother has doubts about weaning, I tell her she is not ready and I share our story. To me, age is just a number and no matter how old your child is, they will still be the precious soul you had no clue why they let you be alone with to care for. They will still melt your heart, they will allow you to cry happy tears and amaze you with their thoughts. They will always be your child, your baby. Enjoy this, try to put society's issues aside. Once you do, you will be free to mother the way you feel is right.

PS: I would like to share with you a link to beautiful stories of Nursing Past Infancy. http://codenamemama.com/?s=nursing+past+infancy Our story is #15.

I think that you have received some rather harsh responses. Right off the bat, you stated it wasn't meant to offend anyone but was just a personal opinion. Those women that responded in a negative way didn't even congratulate you on you breastfeeding for 9 mos, some women don't even try because it "grosses them out". I myself, have found that breastfeeding is a VERY hot button subject and have come to realize that there are certain things you just don't say outloud. I just don't understand why women always attack each other, we should be supporting one another, differing opinions or not. Is breastfeeding best, yes. Is it done worldwide for longer periods of time than in the US, yes. Does it mean that we have to conform to any society's rules on how long you should breastfeed for, no. Please, do not let people dictate what you do with your body and with your child. When you or your child want to be done, it's time to be done. It's such a small thing to get so worked up about when you look at the fact that you are going to be this child's mother for the rest of your life, nourishing and caring, teaching and loving this child until the day you are no longer on this planet. Since almost everyone else gave a history, I guess here's mine. Breastfed my first daughter until 23 mos, was 5 mos pregnant with my second, wasn't really done but once she was weaned, I was so happy to have my body back, sorda, for the next 5 mos until I started over again. Second daughter will be 1 yr in a few days and there are days where I can't imagine another feeding, but then feel it is not fair to her since I fed her sister for almost a whole other yr. I take it one day at a time right now and when it gets to be too much we'll be done. You do the best you can. Congrats thus far on being able to breastfeed your daughter and just remember when either one of you feels that it is time, then it is.

I scanned the other responses, and they seem to give you some good advice. BUT, do whatever is best for you. Do what feels right. It does not matter ONE BIT what others think. Seriously. That's their problem. You have a long time to go with your little one only being 9 months old. For me, I didn't even contemplate weaning until after 12 months, so don't think about it for the next 3 months. If you feel ready to be done then, then do it. Maybe try nursing on a schedule. That's how I've found it's easiest to wean. (I.e. before naps, before bedtime, 1st thing in the morning, etc.) Then, just take away 1 feeding at a time for a few weeks or however long it takes to get adjusted. Good luck. Congrats on nursing for so long and don't rush weaning--do whatever works for you.

It is *YOUR* decision. Let go of your stereotypes and parent your child however feels best to you. Do some reading and you'll discover that we are one of the only countries in the world that weans their children so early. Most cultures foster breastfeeding until the child weans - often 3 or more years!

If you really want to be shocked, also read about potty training. Our country is the exact opposite with respect to breastfeeding. We let our child poop and pee on themselves in diapers until they can run, jump, eat by themselves, sleep by themselves, etc (often past 3 years old); while many other cultures have their kids potty trained by 18 months or so.

Go figure!

At a year old my son was done! Would lay back anymore, turned away every time I tried to get him to latch on, he was just done with nursing. I wasn't! I wanted to continue, but he didn't, so I stopped and he went on to be a big boy drinking his milk and then about a month ago- he started thrusting his head into my chest in the morning and at night. He did this for a few days before I realized he was doing it when he was hungry. In about a week I started having milk again, a small supply- not enough to feed him, but it came in ( Amazing right!) Anyway, I didn't go back to nursing, because it just didn't feel comfortable to me, but I say- follow your instincts and follow your baby- they know what they want. Don't stop until you & him are ready. If your unsure and he is still nursing stick with it! It certainly can't hurt! Who cares what anyone else thinks! You are feeding your baby there is NOTHING gross about that!!! As long as you and your baby are comfortable, you shouldn't worry about anything else!!!

LOL you think 2 3 or 4 year olds can eat with a fork? well, maybe they can, but they choose not to!? LOL my son is 4 and chooses NOT to use forks. LOL.

anyway, i think that this is normal and fine! i thought for sure i would wean my son at 1 year, and when i got to a year, i was like, "why would i end something that we both enjoy, that will only give my son extended benefits of healthy milk and immune boosting antibodies?!"
so i kept at it and he self weaned at 20 months (much to my disappointment! LOL)

you will be able to give it up eventually, when you are ready, and you can literally wait until she is ready too. the world health organization recommends 2 years of breastfeeding! the good news (in my opinion) with this is that you dont have to give your kid any cows milk, which can actually be harmful to her; and your breastmilk is perfect for her. it changes as she grows, and is literally made specifically for her. !

so if you feel like this is something you are both still enjoying, go for it! theres nothing harmful or gross about it, its normal, natural, and much of the world things nothing of this at all!
read this:
http://www.drmomma.org/2009/07/breastfeeding-in-land-of-g...
so, in other countries that arent sexualizing women and our breasts, they are much more accepting of it, its not gross, its natural, and its whats best for babies and for mamas. the longer you breastfeed the more the benefits grow. :) less cancer risks, less diabetes risks, less illness... on and on and on!

if you start to resent the time, then start doing the "dont offer dont refuse" thing. move the furnature, dont sit in normal nursing spots, distract, and change routines; so that nursing times are replaced with another bonding activity such as reading, bathing, singing, something.

what else can you do? www.llli.org. search for a la leche league group near you. not only will they be able to help you through any struggles or ideas you fight with in your head, they will give you unconditional breastfeeding support! it is WORTH it to get ahold of these ladies!

anyway just follow your instincts. they are specific to THIS child. :):)

Before I bacame a mother, I thought it was gross to nurse past the newborn stage. Then (while pregnant) I read a lot of research, articles, books, etc about all the wonderful health benefits for baby (and mom), and that the longer you nurse, the better for your child. The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends a MINIMUM of one year and the WHO (World Health Organization) recommends a MINIMUM of two years. This is NOT a cutoff point! It is the MINIMUM recommendation for children!!!! Once I got THAT through my head, I decided to nurse as long as we could. Breast milk is all a baby needs for the entire first year. It is the best for them, easy to digest, and it is a great comfort for them. It is in no way abusive. That is absurd.

I didn't read all of the responses, but breastmilk is still healthy for your child into toddlerhood. In many countries, nursing toddlers is normal. Americans have sexualized breasts so much that a lot of people think breastfeeding is unnatural or gross, especially for older kids; but that's just American thinking. I think it's great that you've been open minded enough to reconsider your opinion:)

My 16 month old is self-weaning right now, and I had planned on going longer (double ear infection right now isn't helping!). I think as long as you both enjoy it, there's no reason to stop until she's a little older:)

I was exactly the same as you. I remember being young and pregnant and watching a video about breastfeeding at the parenting class, then i saw this about 2 year old breastfeed and I was shocked and thought it was utterly weird but now I have breastfed my first for 14 months (she stopped herself pretty much and I was half way through my second pregnancy) BUT NOW with my second child he is turning 3 in May and we are still happily breastfeeding and will only stop when he or both of us feel we are ready. It has been tough....many mothers on facebook and whatnot do not agree with feeding such an "older" baby and also my partner does not like me feeding him but I constantly remind myself what good it is doing him and the both of us and I look for inspiration from blogs from mothers who breastfeed their toddler, books etc.
Just do what you both want to do and ignore any negative comments!

This is solely between you and your baby. It is a a 2-way nursing relationship. If she wants to continue nursing, and you are mostly doing well continuing (of course there will be difficult times), then there's no reason to force her to wean. Self-weaning generally happens between the ages of 2.5-5 years old, or even later. Most children that the mom says self-weaned earlier didn't truly. When pressed for further info, there was usually some negative feelings, or push for a schedule, push to eat more solids instead, or forced separation around that time. A child's immune system is not fully functioning until about 6 or 7, which is the age anthropological research points to as being a likely ideal weaning age (society's idea aside).

For myself, I never put a timeline on our nursing. I had it in my head that children move on from phases on their own naturally when they're ready, and nursing is just a phase in their life. My son nursed until he was 4. I think he would've liked to continue nursing longer, but we had a lot going on right around his birthday, life was full of things happening, so it just kind of got forgotten, in a natural way. I love that he has memories of nursing and can talk to us about it. He knows if we have another baby, that baby will do what he did, and he knows how much it meant to him. The nursing we did that last year was very different than nursing a baby. They were usually short sessions, more to settle than drink. And we didn't do it in public, generally. Very few people even knew he was still nursing. Not that we kept it a secret, we just didn't announce it to people. It was our own private relationship that kept our bond solid through the rockiness of raising a toddler/preschooler.

With my first, I planned to wean after 6 months, but that didn't happen! I nursed for 17 months. I was more than ready to be done by that point, and my son was getting a little awkward about the whole thing. I have my 2nd baby now, and I may end up waiting a little longer to wean her.

I had a goal to nurse for one year. We got there and then it was let's see how we do. My son nursed until he was 4 and weaned himself right around his 4th birthday. Once we got to 2 years, I would only nurse him at home. No reason to do it elsewhere for us. It worked for us. Do what feels right for you. :)

Today's my son's 3rd birthday and we're still nursing. Don't listen to anybody else, do what works for you. Personally I LOVE knowing that on the "nugget and fry" days he still gets something VERY healthy. And having a nursing toddler is VARY relaxing-- you don't have to worry about pumping or your supply anymore because they're eating solids. And on the days they don't eat squat you don't worry because they're still nursing. How many times as a mother do you get to not worry????

He still demands nursing at bed and nap time. I'm FINALLY ready to be DONE, but decided he's still really attached to nursing AND it doesn't make sense to wean until AFTER cold and flu season! So we'll reevaluate in the spring

I applaud you for opening your mind. It's a testament to the depth of your love for your child that you're willing to ask questions about things that once seemed so obviously unnatural to you. Keep that up and you'll be quite a hero for your little one. It takes a lot of courage to question these things and a lot more to do things that others around you deem "disgusting". I encourage you to keep listening to that inner voice--the one that forces you to ask yourself WHY you think it's disgusting. That one will get you where you need to go--wherever that is. My child is older and she is still breastfeeding and I cannot imagine taking it away from her...it is one of the most precious, healthy, satisfying and comforting things that I can offer her and I've yet to find a GOOD reason to stop. No scientific evidence has found anything negative about bf-ing beyond infancy in spite of what folks tend to say. We have to ask the hard questions for our kids...doesn't that just seem like the least we can do?

FOR ME, 15-18 months was a good age to wean. My kids never slept through the night till I weaned them, so I was ready. Plus, two out of three times I weaned I was pregnant so that helped me be more ready.

Weaning at a year (12 months) would have been really really hard for me, but by a year and a half, I was ready. I had planned to nurse my last until she was two, but I was so tired (from being up with her at least once every night and taking care of a 4, 2 and 1 year old during the day) and really ready for having my body back (after 6+ years of either being pregnant, nursing, or pregnant and nursing) that I was happy once I did it... it is sad to think that I'm done with that part of mothering my kids though. I still feel sad that I didn't make it to two with my last... but so happy that I get to sleep all night and have some more "me" time these days.

Good luck and good for you for nursing.

Jessica

My son just turned 3 and is still nursing. It's not that *I* don't want to let go, in fact, nursing a toddler can at times be a pain. I did decide to let my son self wean though, because I feel the health and emotional benefits are absolutely worth it. I will always be grateful that I was still nursing my son just after his 2nd birthday... he ended up getting H1N1 and would not eat or drink anything BUT breast milk. Often, sick babies and children will need to be hospitalized for dehydration, but since my son was breastfeeding, that was not a concern. I also think nursing lessoned the duration of the illness, but that's just a subjective observation.

Here are some articles you may be interested in checking out: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html
http://www.mothering.com/breastfeeding/not-just-for-babies

I had very similar thoughts before my son was born, and also began to feel that 1 year was an artificial cut off when he was around nine months. Nursing was something that he very much needed, and that need did not disappear when the calendar turned over. He continues to benefit from breastmilk--he gets sick much less frequently than his preschool classmates, and a quick, seconds-long nursing session can calm a tantrum like nothing else. Our nursing relationship has changed since he was a baby--he nurses much less frequently; I often ask him to wait if I am doing something else when he asks; and I have taught him nursing manners so that he does not just walk up to me and pull my shirt down.
If it is working for the pair of you, why change it? At least, that is what I have concluded. I did not want to give up the connection and the perfect food for my child, and he did not want to give it up. He will wean completely in his own time, and then there will be no need for fighting about it, or tears, or power struggles, or finding a substitute for that need. If it is something that the child needs, physically and emotionally, and that only contributes to her or his health in all ways, it is not abusive. The disgusting part...well, that's a learned cultural attitude, and is one that I, and many other mothers, have unlearned because of personal experiences. Newborns ask for food too, just in different ways.
In direct answer to your question, I think that if she doesn't want to give it up, and you don't either, then there is no reason to.

I am in the exact same boat except I am still feeding my walking and talking (a little to articulately for my level of embarrassment in public) 2.5 year old (and 16 month old). I just have not heard a good enough argument to convince me to wean him. For me others feeling uncomfortable is not really the way I want to make my parenting choices. I would rather he weaned but am not prepared to push him into it before he is ready because I would prefer him not too when I know how much of an emotional support it is to him and of course all of the health benefits. So here I am feeding a 2.5 year old wondering when it will end but not caring enough to make him finish because I guess it is a time we will never get back.

My daughter is 16 months old and weaning her isn't easy! She does fine during the day but night is a whole different story. We cosleep which doesn't help any! She nurses to fall asleep most nights and will sometimes be up a lot overnight to nurse. When I try to be tough and not let her I end up with a screaming baby - last night i let her nurse throughout because the 3 nights before that I got NO sleep fighting her all night! I try tippy's w/milk but that's just not good enough. She is on the small side - just reached 16 lbs - so it's not like I have the awkwardness of a large toddler trying to nurse or the daytime around other ppl. We're getting a handme down toddler bed next month that I'll put in her sisters room so maybe that will help? I guess it all depends on the baby and the mother when they are ready and sometimes they aren't ready at the same time!

My Daughter is now 31 months and shows no wish to stop We have more or less confined it to bed time now. I never expected to feed this long I expected her to kind of loose interest but I am glad I have she stopped eating while she had chickenpox at Christmas and would only breastfeed, and last winter she had Norwalk and could not keep water down Breast milk how ever was ok such a relief we kept out of hospital.

When will she stop don't know but I know she will stop probably in the next year, it will be her choice most children naturally wean about 3-4 years.

Do what you and your child feel is right. Like many have already told you, it is an honor and privilege to be able to nurse (not everyone can). You are already doing what is best for your little one: being a good, caring, nurturing, sensitive mom. That means evaluating what is best for you and your family, as individuals and as a group. If you are comfortable continuing to nurse, do it as long as you feel that comfort, blessing and closeness.

Having said that, little, older nursing ones need to learn manners. Not in a bad way, but to respect that there is a time and a place, and a way to ask politely.

Way to go, Mom! You care deeply and are open enough to re-examine your ideas about what is best.

Personally I think feeding a toddler formula or cow's milk is fairly disgusting and potentially abusive.
No offense though...

Now do you see how those words look when switched around? I don't think you meant offense, but I really don't think that was the right way to word it...especially the "potentially abusive" part.
I don't know everyone's individual situations, who am I to judge?

i did not breastfed but i plan to when i have another kid and i think that i would breast feed until 12-15 months and then just quite cold turkey like i will offer her milk in cups and everything starting around 6/9 months to get her used to it

I think this is a decision that should wait until you are there. Also it is not at all disgusting (I really don't understand why anyone would think that) and I don't even understand why you would think it's potentially abusive. If you nurse your toddler it will be for him or her not you & you can't force a child to nurse. Just because they can drink from a cup & eat with a fork does not mean they don't still need to nurse. If you want to educate yourself there are several books on the subject or better yet visit a La Leche League meeting where you can talk to real moms on the subject. My son nursed until he was 4yrs 2mo & I only weaned him because I was pregnant & it became too painful for me. He still misses it 2mos later & asks periodically. Nursing is not just for food, it's offers comfort (the toddlers years are difficult emotionally), helps to calm durring a tantrum, offers continual immunity & can help a sick child who is not eating or drinking much from becoming dehydrated (and not end up in the hospital)