Weening from Breastfeeding

ok, more than ok. here is an expert opinion:
http://www.kathydettwyler.org/dettwyler.html
Happy Breastfeeding!
V.

My daughter breastfed until she was 2 ( I was 5mos pregnant when she weaned). My son weaned just after turning 3. Yes, it is OK to breastfeed your child still. I'm not just saying it becaue I did it for as long as I did. My kids are 4 and 6 and I have no regrets. Both weaned when they were ready. Julie - if you are reading this - please understand that just because a child breastfeeds past one, doesn't mean they aren't eating table foods and drinking from a cup. Just want to clear that up now as some people I guess actually think when we nurse our babies at 2/3 years old that it means that is all they are getting. You are doing a great job P.. Change it if you are resentful or things aren't working out for you - if you and your son have a good nursing relationship than there is no reason to stop now. As he gets a little older, you'll be able to reason with him more, for example. Although my son nursed until 3 years of age, at about 18mos, I was able to slowly take away the night time nursing (he'd nurse all night if he could) I would tell him, pretty soon, we aren't going to nurse when Mr. Moon is out, only when Mr. Sun comes up, etc.. it took 4/6 weeks but it was very gentle and he totally understood. Eventually, he only nursed every few days - his way I think of making sure things didn't dry up! LOL! I'll tell you, it's a godsend when they are sick with flu like symptoms. I've said it before, I swear my son avoided a trip to the hospital and an IV because at the least I could get him to nurse throughout the night when he was throwing up, even if it seemed he was throwing everything up - he was still getting the good stuff.
Best wishes,
M.
*good breastfeeding resources:
www.kellymom.com
www.askdrsears.com

Are you weening him because you want to? because he wants to? Or because uneducated people have commented? I'm not saying you have to BF until he's 5, but he's only 16 months!

Check out these stats from the WHO (World health Organization):

 Babies who are breast-fed for at least 6 months have fewer health problems than formula-fed babies, including:
 3 times fewer ear infections
 5 times fewer urinary tract infections
 5 times fewer serious illnesses
 7 times fewer allergies

 Breast milk is so easy to digest, breast-fed babies spit up less often, have less diarrhea and less constipation. Breast milk actually starts to digest in 90 seconds.

 For every 87 formula-fed babies who die from SIDS, only 3 breast-fed babies die from SIDS.

 Babies who are fed ONLY breast milk (no supplementing with formula or solid foods) for at least 26 weeks (or 6.5 months) are 6 times less likely to develop lymphoma (type of cancer) in childhood.

 Babies who are breast-fed for at least one year are 50% less likely to develop diabetes.

Breast milk can begin a lifetime of good health for your baby
 As adults, people who were breast-fed as infants have:
 Less asthma, allergies, and diabetes
 Fewer skin problems, including dermatitis and eczema
 Lowered risk of heart attack and stroke due to lower cholesterol levels
 Less ulcerative colitis
 Less Crohn’s disease
 Protection from certain chronic liver diseases

 Breast milk is brain food. Studies show that children who were breast-fed have higher IQs that those who were given formula.

Breastfeeding is healthy for mom
 Women who breastfeed lower their risk of cancer.
 Nursing for a lifetime total of 2 years lowers the risk before menopause by 40%
 Nursing for a lifetime total of 6 years lowers the risk before menopause by 66%
 Nursing for a lifetime total of 7 years lowers the risk of breast cancer throughout a woman’s life to almost 0%

 Breastfeeding your baby also provides protection from cancer of the ovaries and osteoporosis.

The World Health Organization actually reccomends that a child be breastfed until they are at least 2 yrs and then after that for as long as mutually desired. You are doing a great job by nursing him this long. Allowing him to decide when he is ready will give him a great sense of accomplishment and will mean that you don't have any battles! At this point, your milk is chock full of concentrated nutrients and antibodies. For a toddler, this can be so important since as you probably know, some days they feel like eating, some days they don't.

Keep it up as long as you can! Here are some links with good information in case someone asks you:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-myths.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-refs.html

P.,

You can breastfeed as long as you and your child are happy doing so. I breastfed my first until he was 2 and my second until 18 months. There is absolutely nothing wrong with continuing to breastfeed. The immune benefits continue as long as you continue to nurse and so do the emotional benefits. It certainly won't hurt him or you.

:-)T.

My son just turned two and we still BF at nap time and bed time. We are gradually weaning but I have decided to follow his lead. He has recently started saying things like "me no need Mommy milk. Me want big boy milk." So he is making the choice on his own. As I did more research on it I realized how good it is for both him and me. Do what feels right for you.

It is absolutely okay to continue breastfeeding if that's what you want to do. My older son weaned himself at 17 months, and I had to work hard to wean the younger son at 3 years! If you're okay with it, let your son decide when he's done.

It sounds like he's almost done anyway; why not have this one special time continue until you're both done? Do what you feel in your heart is right, and don't let anyone else tell you different.

Good luck to you.

What your are doing is called "extended breastfeeding" and there is nothing wrong with that.
MANY Doctors themselves, do that.

For me, I nursed my kids until they self-weaned. My daughter weaned herself at about 2.5 years old, and my son did at about 12 months old.

There is nothing you have to do... your child will wean himself.
Yes, he is on a sippy cup, and you can also have him use a straw-cup or regular cup too. He is 16 months old and can do this.

Your son is only nursing 2 times a day... so that is good. He IS weaning himself already....
Remember though, if you do want him to self-wean, then you must go according to your son's cues... not yours. When your son is ready to stop he will. My daughter- just one day out of the blue proclaimed "I don't drink (from you)anymore, I'm a BIG girl!"- and then she just stopped. Period. And she never went back, nor did I try to get her to nurse again. She stopped herself. With my Son- he used to literally slap my boobs away and scream/grumble when I put him to breast... and he just wanted a bottle. So, that was HIS way to stop nursing...and so I did and went by HIS cues.... nursing had begun to be a struggle by then and he was much happier with a bottle by 1 year old.

each child is different. BUT, NOTHING is wrong with extended breastfeeding.
You can research it online as well....

All the best,
Susan

P.,
Good for you for sticking with it for so long! I nursed our daughter for 21 months. My initial goal was a year. Then at a year, I decided to go for the World Health Organization's goal of 2 years. We made it to 21. Probably could have gone to 24 months, but I was kinda done, if you know what I mean. Stick with it as long as you are both interested, is my advice. Our daughter has never had an ear infection and has never been on antibiotics of any type. She's rarely sick. Good luck!

Not only is it OK, but it is the right thing to do!! Even the WHO (World Health Organization) reccomends nursing to 2 and beyond! All the immunities to cancer, SIDS, Diabetes, Obesity and not to mention 10 IQ points are benefits to nursing that happen in children who nurse until 2, or beyond. You can do it, just be at peace with nursing a toddler. Hook up with your local La Leche League to meet other mom's in your shoes. There are ALOT of them!! Children quit nursing on their own when they don't need it anymore. Hang in there! By the way, I'm a mom with over 10.5 years of breastfeeding under my belt, I really KNOW you can do it AND it IS OK!! :-)

It is totally ok to breastfeed as long as you and he want to. I know at least one little boy who's mother breast fed till he was 5 years and he is a happy, well adjusted kid who does well in school and has lots of friends.
It is up to you (and your son) how long you want to continue. Don't let anyone tell you different...
Good luck
R.

You said he doesn't seem ready to be off the breast. Then it's not time. It's more than ok to continue breastfeeding! You're his mother and you're providing for him nutrionally and emotionally. He's only 16 months young, just a little guy. And by the way weaning doesn't have to be a battle, it shouldn't be. He'll let you know when he's ready. Until then, relax and enjoy this special time with your son, it won't last forever.

:-•:*¨¨*:•.-:¦:- • •

And here's a interesting bit of information regarding weaning... Hannah (Chana) waited until her son Samuel (who became the prophet Samuel) weaned before she dedicated him to a life of service in the Tabernacle. Obviously, she did not turn over a baby to the aged priest Eli for training in the temple. Bible scholars agree that the age at which Hannah"s son weaned and she and dedicated him to tabernacle service was "at least" three years of age, perhaps older. The norm throughout history has not been the early, forced weaning we see today.

Hi P.,
Yes, it's still OK to keep breastfeeding. We're at 19+ months. The natural weaning age is somewhere between 2 and 7 years old. It's up to you on when you want to stop.

Here's a link to the Kelly Mom site on weaning.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/index.html

There's child-led weaning, which is when you let your son decide when to stop. He'll gradually stop nursing, or one day he may suddenly decide that he's done. There's also mother-led weaning, which is when you start cutting out the feedings. You can put band-aids over your nipples and tell him you have an owie and can't nurse any longer, or tell him that you only nurse at certain times (which it seems like he's already doing) and/or for a certain length of time (as long as it takes you to sing the ABC song). You'd offer him a sippy cup instead of nursing. It's really up to you. If you are both enjoying this special time together, there's no reason to stop. He'll eventually stop on his own.

Congratulations on making it this far!

Oh yeah, I nursed each of mine til they were over 3...again it was just naps & bedtime, but they really liked the closeness it gives...the nutrients are still benefical too. Your milk changes to meet the demands from the child, some cultures still nurse til 6 or 7...not that I'm saying do that LOL!!...just that 16 mos isn't really too long..unless YOU think it is...

My son started daycare at 3 months when I had to go back to work, so he was getting a bottle quite a bit during the day. I was only nursing morning before work, evenings and weekends. He got his first tooth on his 6 month birthday, and I wasn't producing much milk any more, so we just stopped, cold turkey. He never missed it. If he is and has been on the bottle, I don't think it will be that difficult to wean him. But it is still ok to nurse him. I actually miss that time with him :0(

It's perfectly okay to keep it up, but if you're ready (as I was when my son turned one and fell in love with cow's milk) it is possible to do it without a lot of turmoil. What I did was start taking a bottle (a sippy would work, too) in with us when it was nap/bed time and basically used a "don't offer the breast unless he asks" approach. If he refused the bottle or nuzzled at my breast, I gave him the breast. Sometimes he'd fill up on the breast and ignore the bottle. Sometimes he'd take the bottle and ignore the breast. Sometimes he'd nurse for a bit and then decide he wanted the bottle instead. This went on for about a week before he quit even "asking" for the breast. I think it helped slow my milk production down, too, without going cold turkey. It was an easy transition for us. Best of luck in your decision.

I have heard the La Leche League actually recommends two years! Do what is right for you!! :-)

Nurse as long as you want to. I nursed all three of mine until they were a little over two years (when they weaned themselves). Best way to wean is to change your routine, like go on vacation. Good luck!

I used a sippie at night/nap time. I gave them some non-caffine tea warmed/watered down. I quit nap time first, was easier to get them to sleep when the rest of the house was not trying to sleep too. took about a week, then bed time, another week. I did it one night off one on, two off, one on or none, depends on the child, then quit! Nurse as long as you want..personally think 4 or 5 is too old, but that is me;) Your child is old enough to be on whole milk, but I do not give milk in bed, before maybe a warm cup, then something w/no sugar to wash out the milk, but a warm cup at bed time will help "sooth" and ease it all. I leave it in the crib so he/she could get it in the middle of the night, they tend to cry the first night, or fuss and then after a couple nights they know exactly what to do. If for some reason you "don't let him cry" then you will have to adjust your steps accordingly. I let them cry a bit and talked to them and showed them their cup and went back to bed..I did not pick 'em up.a week (7-10days) is typical training, then they understand the "routine" Don't worry, when he is ready or you are, it will not be as hard as the anticipation! I have done it 6x's now. Good luck

Do some research about allowing your son to self-wean and what they call extended bf well into toddler years. MOST countries bf till about 4. If he's still enjoying it and you are too, I say stick with it. AMAZING benefits continue. At 1yr their immune system is only 60% dev. Not to mention the behavior and attachement issues.......... Le Leche League has many books on weaning and many other issues. Le Leche League has a great website too. They recommend 'don't offer, but don't refuse (if they ask).' BUT if you are ready, take away one feeding by distraction every 3 weeks at the most. Start with the feeding that is the easiest. Then read books, sing, spend one on one time so he doesn't miss that. Kids that are force weaned tend to exhibit more typical '2 year old' behavior' terrible twos'.... If he nurses to sleep for nap and bed, why not let him self wean. It's not like you're still having to nurse in public...

My daughter weened herself at 18-19 months -- if you're not in a hurry, just let him decide. Don't offer it.. if he doesn't 'need' it -- I found that when i took a few business trips, she didn't have a problem going to sleep without it. Then we started having dad be more involved in putting her to bed -- so if i wasn't there, she didn't want/need it. Go with the 'flow' -- it shouldn't be a 'battle' -- it will just happen.

You've already gotten a lot of great feedback, but I just thought I'd say that I have a 2.5 year old boy, and we just weaned about a month ago, and it was so natural and not traumatic on either side. I started to slow down the nursing on demand thing when he was 15 months. That's when I told him there was "no more milk at night".....other than that we were going strong until he was 2 when I found out I was pregnant. I started dropping one feeding a week (just with distraction and I'd offer grapes or some other snack he loves), until we were down to one feeding a day which we did for about 3 months, and just slowly tapered off (he would have mornings when he didn't ask, so I just went with it). I also talked to him about how he was getting to be a bigger boy, and how he had no hair or teeth when he was a baby, but he had lots of mama's milk, and now he has all this hair and all his teeth and he's walking and talking, etc, and how he doesn't need it so much anymore. Anyway, it totally worked for us, he hasn't had any issues, and although it's sad that time is over for us, I felt really at peace about it. Don't let anyone pressure you to wean until you both feel ready. They're little for such a short time, and your intuition about what's good for both of you is more valuable than anyone else's opinion, truly. By the way, my son is one of the happiest most confident kids I know. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but I don't think so.

Hi P.,

My daughter was fourteen months. I stopped when she would walk over and lift up my top. Once I committed to it being over it was not too difficult. Getting her to sleep in her bed was worse for us. :) She is six now, independent and good sleeping habits.

My nephew is nineteen months and my sister still breastfeeds him occassionally. I tease her that her competitive spirit motivated her to breastfeed longer than me. Her little guy is very independent like your son. Breastfeeding is occassional and I am sure it will taper off and stop completely when one or both are ready.

I was ready to stop when I did, if you aren't than go with what works for you. What works for one mom doesn't for another. Don't worry about what others think is okay or not okay. Do what you feel is best and go from there.

Hi! You can breastfeed as long as you want! The longer the better for your own future health. Good breast health in your menopausal years can be traced to length of time breastfeeding! I don't know the steps for stopping because mine stopped on their own. One of my friends that wanted to wean stopped drinking all the liquids & would only nurse on one side. She said as she dried out on one side she switched to that side & let the other breast dry out. As she produced less, she offered her baby supplements. Eventually there was none left and the baby just stopped asking. I haven't tried this method, so don't know if it works.

Many Many people breastfeed this long and longer. My daughter was 21 months and my son was just shy of 3. He probably would have nursed forever if I hadn't stopped, and I thought for me personally I didn't want to be nursing a preschooler. The only thing I will say is that because my son always nursed to sleep for his naps, he stopped napping when I weaned him, and he could probably still use a nap. So you might want to consider coming up with som other way for him to go down for his nap.

Of course it's ok, if it's ok to you! I nursed my daughter until she was 2 1/2 (the last half a year was weaning). And I only stopped because I knew I was ready (even though she wasn't). I can't really offer any "perfect advice" that is sure to work because every child is different. For my daughter it was a long process. For the first round I dropped the bedtime feeding because I knew she was able to fall asleep without it. I had her pick out a gift that when she unwrapped meant stopping one feeding. The last was the naptime feeding (nursing was the ONLY way I could get her to nap!) So dropping that just meant dropping the nap altogether or driving her around in the car. It took a few days for the milk to dry up, no pain or anything. I know whatever you choose to do will be the perfect way and you'll look back at this as a vague distant memory. Good luck!

Hi P.! :)
I breast fed two of my three daughters, up until they were about 20-24 months old. When it was time for me to stop breastfeeding my youngest daughter, I was given a very helpful advice from one of my dearest friends. ;) I hope it will help you too. It should take about a week or two for your child to stop asking, and by that time he should have been weaned off. :)
Okay, here's the key. :) Put a bandaid on both of your nipples, and tell your child that "mommy has an owie"(with a lot of feelings). Everytime he asks or tries to pull down/up your shirt, show him the bandaids and remind him that you have an owie. Make sure you make a sad face, and you really act the part. They can sense if you are faking it. :)
Your breasts will get engorged and sore when you are going through this process, so make sure to put a warm/hot wash cloth over your breasts (take off the bandaids) when they start to hurt. This helps to ease the pain, and let out some milk a little bit at a time. Do this whenever you feel pressure or pain. Remember not to pump, or squeeze out the milk by hand, because you will only cause yourself to start producing milk again, and it will only prolong the engorgement. Just be patient, and in a few weeks, your milk supply will slowly disappear.
Good luck! :)

It's fine to still be breastfeeding at 16 months. I did it for 18 months. i was really worried about weaning him as well and worried that it would be a big battle. surprisingly it wasn't bad at all! i cut back to just nursing for nap and bedtime too. at naptime and bed i now read and have another routine as well instead of bf'ing. good luck. i hope it goes well for you.

Just wanted to see what everyone had to say.