Breastfeeding My One Year Old.

I breastfed my daughter for 15 months. We started weaning at 12 months. We did it very slowly -- over a 3 month period. I wasn't in a hurry so we just dropped 1 feeding at a time every couple of weeks. Just like you are doing ;-) You don't need to pump if you do it slowly. Eventually my daughter just seemed to want to nurse for comfort about 1x per day. I got to the point I would only nurse when she wanted to (i.e she yanked on my shirt and cried). The funny thing was it was very random at the end. Sometimes she would want to nurse in the middle of the afternoon and other times at night - and somehow my body accomodated her! After a couple of weeks of this - I just told her no and would distract her with a sippy cup and a snuggle. So anyway, your body and your baby will figure it all out. ;-)

That is exactly what I did. I would feed in the morning and at night. You should not have to pump. You might get a little full during the day for the first couple days, but I don't think you will be uncomfortable. Don't worry, your supply will keep up with his demand whether it is once or twice a day.

I did this a few weeks ago with my 15 month old. I actually went from 4 feeds to 2 (because a few crazy/hectic days and missed feeds) and she never missed them. One breast was full for a day or two and then they ajusted, and she is still taking in plenty of milk from the two feeds (wake up and bedtime). I wouldn't pump, let your supply adjust to the two feeds on its own.

I breast fed my daughter until 10 months and my son for almost two years. Loved it. No I didn't have to pump extra unless I had overage. He drank more the older he became. How wonderful you are considering continuing. Some societies feed their children from the breast until their kids are 4.

Fantastic. You go! How healthy for you and your little one. I am so excited for you too that you can stay home. Check out the local Gymbarees or play gyms in your area or momma groups to stay in the loop.

Not sure this helps any but I was so happy when I read your story. God bless, C.

Awww, why are you weaning him?? I only ask because sometimes women don't realize how great it is nutritionally to continue to breastfeed babies past their second birthday even. I still breastfeed my son constantly- many times a day- and he's 20 months. Breastmilk is 80% of his diet and he's healthy as a horse! I'm so glad you get to stay home now, way to go!!

Hi there...I had fully weaned my daughter by the time she was 13mos. I started a little before her firt birthday dropping one feeding at a time. I would stay at the number for a week or two and then drop another. I did not have to pump...your body should produce enought milk for the number of feedings you are doing a day. Good luck!!

I breastfed for a bit over a year with both my children and decreased down to just at night. It was a natural flow of things and your supply adjusts according to demand. I read a lot that at the point of 1 year +, the nutritional value of the breastmilk is greatly diminished from earlier and nursing is much more for bonding than for nutrition at that point. My kids went from brest to sippy cup. Just one perspective--hope it helps.

Slowly dropping a feeding shouldn't make your supply end or get engorged. I was feeding before work, after work and before bed and pumping at work until my daughter turned 1 and then I dropped pumping at work and she never complained about not getting enough milk when she nursed. Now that she's getting closer to 2, I don't get her up in the mornings to nurse, but she still does it at night and we still haven't had problems.

My dd is almost 15 months and I've dropped her nursing sessions to two per day. We were doing 3 about 2 weeks ago and I have decided to drop her morning session. I don't pump since she doesn't take breastmilk in a bottle or cup and she doesn't seem to mind it at all. The times I nurse her are before nap and bed time. So far so good. I think the gradual process is a lot easier than cutting it all out at once. Hope this helps. You're doing well. No need to worry.

If you are trying to wean - don't pump - you will loose your supply over time. When my dd turned about 18 months she was nursing just at bedtime until she gave it up at just past 2 years. It was so gradual - I didn't have any problems at all.

If you want to go down to 2 nursings a day, you don't need to pump, your body will adjust. If you change your mind and find it isn't working for the two of you, him nursing more will build your supply back up. Easy-peasy! It is all supply and demand.

I still nurse my 2 year old daughter. Usually 2 or 3 quick nursings a day, sometimes only once. I am sure glad I haven't weaned her yet like I did her brother. She's had an extremely nasty stomach virus for 6 days now and nursing has been a Godsend!

Good luck with your new venture as a work at home mommy. STaying at home with my kids has been the best 4 years of my life!

PS. www.kellymom.com is a great resource for breastfeeding. Search "extended breastfeeding" on that site. There are still lots of important benefits to continuing nursing, including nutritional benefits. Don't forget about all those anti-bodies they still get from breastmilk! I am only writing this because I have read posts here that state that breastmilk is LESS nutritional over time. That is false. The nutrition content of breastmilk continually changes over time to keep up with baby's needs. It never degrades to the nutritional level of Dr. Pepper, let's say. LOL! It is always beneficial to baby. A year is the minimum recommendation anyway so don't let anyone pressure you to stop if you don't want to. BF as long as you and baby are happy with it!