We Still Breastfeed.

Random fact: there are some Indian tribes and some in Africa who breastfeed their children until they are 8 or 9.

I have a friend who breastfed her children until they were over two years old and she loved it. She finally had to quit when they would undress her in public and they were vocal about it. It really is up to you, but I would try to cuddle him a lot without feeding him so that he knows he will get cuddling without it, also. He may be worried that he won't get cuddling without it, and you may have to teach him that he can only drink at bedtime, but may be cuddled at any time of the day. And he needs calcium, so if he won't drink cow's milk, try almond breeze or something else. Good luck!

Good for you for following your heart and instincts!

In hunter-gatherer societies (for which we are still biologically programmed) women and nursing babies usually continue nursing for about four years. This seems to be the natural time span for nursing relationships when society doesn't dictate otherwise. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends nursing for at least two years.

I nursed my three kiddos for two to two-and-a-half years each, and we stopped when it felt right. I loved the closeness, and enjoyed knowing that I was doing a good thing for them by continuing as long as we felt the need. My kids didn't wean themselves, but I felt ready when it was time. I think the important thing is that you continue as long as you both feel comfortable with it and enjoy it.

You'll know when the time is right. Don't let anyone persuade you--you know best when it comes to your child. Weaning later is just challenging on a different level ... yes, the child knows what they're missing (as opposed to a younger baby) but they're also easier to reason with, and you can explain things with love. I told my kids the milk was almost all gone, and then when it was time, that there was no more milk but we could cuddle. It was hard for about a week, and then it was fine. Once my oldest son told my nursing middle son proudly, "I used to nurse, but I dranked it all up!"

One more thing--check Mothering magazine or mothering.com for advice on nutrition. We don't necessarily need cow's milk, and there are lots of good ways to get those nutrients. It's also just THE BEST magazine for supporting natural parenting choices like breastfeeding for a while.

Good luck!

My kids all were weaned somewhere in the 20-24 month age. My last one liked that nighttime feeding and wouldn't sleep thru the night until she was weaned. But after that, she did well. We only nursed for bonding at that point. She drank milk at her meals and nursed before bedtime or for comfort. If you're ok with it, let him lead the weaning. I think it won't be that difficult once he's ready.

I think It's great! If you love it, and he loves it, do it! Who cares what other people think? You are doing a great thing! The WHO recommends breastfeeding until at least 2. The world-wide average is 4 years, and not just because of poverty, etc.... My son is 2 1/2 and still breastfeeding, though I have him down to nap and bedtime because I also have an 8 month old and he was stealing all her milk ;). He won't drink milk either. I've tried soy, hemp, almond, rice, cow, goat, etc.... and he doesn't want it. If you don't want to wait until HE'S ready, then just slowly decrease how often you breastfeed him. Some people have weaning parties (though the kids are older, like around 3) where they keep explaining on x date you will no longer breastfeed, then they have a big party and after that, they just don't any more.

My son is 17 months old and he is also still nursing. We have also gotten mix reviews on our "late" nursing. However, I love the bond that him and I share and breastmilk is the best thing for him. I think it is great that you continue to nurse your son.
Only in America is nursing a child over the age of 1 is it looked down apon. In africa, Europe, Asia, it is very common for mothers to nurse their child to 3 or 4 years of age.
If you want to wean him do it slowly and replace those nursing secions with cuddle time with you, read a book watch his favorit show ect.
Best of luck

That's completely personal. The best weaning is one that you and your little guy are comfortable with. You'll know when it's time.

My daughter is 3 and still breast feeds. I have a friend who breast fed her son until 5 and he weaned himself. I feel no pressure to change.
The more I read about cow's milk, the more I distrust it. The latest is the A1 and A2 cow gene thing. Australia is hot on it. (Just Google it if you want to know more.) Milk is just not the wonder food it is touted to be.
My daughter does like goat milk...but I limit it.

"The longer you wait, the harder it will be?" Total opposite in my experience. Forcing weaning before readiness is very hard for most people. Your son is not ready and neither are you. That seems very clear. I've never cut my kids off. I just followed their lead and they slowly, gradually weaned between 21-28 months. It was a very natural process. A child his age SHOULD be very attached. Keep up the good work!

Thank you for asking the question and for all the other comments. My son is 15 months. I have been weening him over the last month because we are going to get pregnant again and we have to go the fertility route which means drugs so I cannot be breast feeding. The way I have been weening him is one feeding at a time, then go a few weeks and eliminate another. We have only the bedtime left. this week we eliminated the morning feeding. I know the bedtime will be the hardest to give up.Regarding the milk issue. My son is allergic to soy and dairy (both goat and cow) so I give coconut and rice, but he isn't fond of either so I just try to keep him drinking water and eating coconut yogurt and lots of fruits and veggies. Goodluck

I too am still breastfeeding my son. He is just 17 months but I do not see him stopping anytime soon. I have found research that says it is good to breastfeed until they turn 2. It is beneficial for the child and the mama. My son does not like milk much either. He will drink a few sips then spit it out. I just keep giving it to him when his older brother drinks it. He is getting better about drinking more at a time but still doesn't like it. I can't tell you how to wean him when it is time because I am not at that point myself. I just know I will keep breastfeeding him as long as he wants until he is 2 then I will look at weaning him. He only eats before bed and nap right now so that helps. I do hope when it is time to wean it is not hard. I have the same problem with friends and family looking at me like I am insane or something. Everyone keeps telling me I need to wean him now. They do not understand that he is not ready and it would be difficult. I try to explain the benefits to both of us with the longer breastfeeding and they still look at me like I am crazy. I just don't tell anyone anymore. It is frustrating. I'm not sure how to solve that problem either. Society is just not as big on breastfeeding as they once were. If you get any good ideas maybe you can let me know. Have fun with your little boy.

Deciding when to cut him off is totally up to you. If you are comfortable breast-feeding him then keep doing it. As for not liking milk...my son is 14 months and does not like milk. He still nurses first thing in the morning, in the evening, and at bedtime. I am trying to wean him so he doesn't wake at night...we'll see how it goes. I tried soy milk, cow's milk, flavored milk....his GI Dr just gave me some samples of boost for kids yesterday and he doesn't love it, but he drinks it without spitting it out or throwing his cup. His Dr suggested giving it to him because he's in the 25% for weight and I was worried about making sure he's getting enough calcium. Good luck!

I breastfed our only until she was 2.5yrs. It was just the nighttime at the end. The way we stopped was really a timing thing. For the last month or 2, she was getting a bit big to hold, and the teeth were bothering me so it was more awkward that ever before. I think she could sense it wasn't the nice relaxing bonding time for the both of us that it used to be. We went on vacation to San Diego and the 1st night we were there, she was so tired she fell asleep without nursing. I realized the next day what had happened and tried to do the same, keep her busy till she dropped. By the end of the 3 days, she'd finished nursing. When we got home, it was "remembered" and we were able to talk about no more mommy drinks and we can just cuddle before bed. They will let you know when they are ready and they know when you are as well. GREAT JOB FOR GOING 20 MONTHS!!!!!

Hi there and CONGRATS on breastfeeding!!! My son will be 2 in Sept. and he still nurses in the night or whenever. You know what its great, that is something between mama and baby!! My son also hates moo-juice, I have tried and no go so what he takes a vitamin eats tons of cheese 2 yogurts a day!!!! So he's good on calcium, dont worry about it you are doing an awesome job!!! Keep up the good work xo

Hello.
My son nursed until he was over 3 1/2 years old, even though when I used a pump to try to guestimate how much he was getting a day, and it was less than 1/2 oz per day. It didn't bother me, and he loved it. I weaned because I was having trouble physically supporting even that.

The way I started was just by slowly restricting when he could nurse. First no more nursing in public places, only at home. Then only in certain situations at home-- if he got hurt, before naps and bedtime. Then no more for hurts. Then no more for naps, then no more for bed at night.

I didn't have quite your problem though with him not taking other milks. He would drink some whole milk, though never formula. I'm inclined to say that as long as you are getting your calcium requirements from other sources, yogurt, cheeses, etc, it may be less of an issue than you think. This is assuming he will drink other fluids.

I hope this helps. If you feel you want to continue nursing, I would say, by all means. You might seek some further assistance and support through a local La Leche League chapter.

Child-led weaning is in my opinion the best way to go. THe WHO recommends until at least 2 years of age and afterwards however long they want it, AAP reccommends a year and aftward as long as both are comfortable.

If it doesn't bother you, then why do it? Let him decide. My son weaned himself a little after he turned two and I got pregnant again. If you do it before he's ready, it will be way more traumatic for him. A good book from LLL is Mothering Your Nursing Toddler. I really recommend it.

If he doesn't drink milk..that's ok too. He's smart, he knows what he wants! We've been so brainwashed (dairy industry and doctors) to think that you MUST DRINK MILK. No, no one HAS to drink milk. There's soymilk, almond milk, hemp milk, rice milk. My son does not drink milk and has never liked it. Doesn't really like milk alternatives either. I'm not worried about it. He gets calcium and magnesium from other foods, Vit. D from the sun. He's perfectly healthy. You're doing good mama, keep it up!

Please don't put stress on yourself. I have one son, too, who is now 3 1/2, and I breastfed him until he was 2 1/2. I am not any sort of breastfeeding fanatic or anything, but it just seemed like the right thing to do. He breastfed that long mostly out of habit; it was part of our sleeptime routine, and comforting to us both. I would not recommend allowing your son to become so dependent on the breastfeeding that he cannot fall asleep without it (that was our mistake), but if it feels right to the both of you, then allow it to continue.

The process of stopping breastfeeding was a big concern to me, too. I didn't know how to begin without it being stressful for us both. But since we had limited and shortened the feedings to nap and nighttime, it was actually easy. We did it cold turkey...one night he was so tired that he went to sleep without breastfeeding, and then for several days and nights after that we had conversations about being a 'big boy' and my husband played a more active role in putting him to bed. In fact, sometimes at his bedtime, I would leave the house altogether, go grocercy shopping, etc. In about a week, my son was weaned.

His dislike of cow's milk is a concern, though...you'll have to encourage him to get his calcium from other sources...? Does he eat cheese? Yogurt?

Just relax a bit...and best of luck!!!

When to wean is really up to your guys comfort level. I weaned my last daughter at 20mos and it was a process but basically with her I just kind of distracted her and after a few days she was fine. I currently BF our 16mos old and she only BF in the morning at 6AM. Not sure how long we will BF but she also doesn't love milk. I mainly just give het lots of yogurt and other dairy products.

i've seen kids at 3 years old still breast feeding. it's really up to the mom to decide. i decided to stop my kids at one year. most likely the child will not make the decision, it's up to the mom and having the ability to move on or let go...i suggest (when you're ready) to pump so it's the same milk, just a different way to get it, eventually weening. after you pump for a bit, you could mix 3/4 breast milk and 1/4 soy or cow, eventually decreasing the breast milk and increasing other milk, also, what you're saying is he's only nursing at night, stick with that idea as well, if he wants to nurse during the day, give him water or something else and he'll get the message soon enough and stop asking....
good luck

I nursed my daughter until she was 3 1/2 years old. I never had a problem with it. I only weaned her because I needed surgery. It's quite likely that it would have gone on longer otherwise. By that time she was able to understand, "we can't do that anymore." She fussed a bit, but it only lasted about a week and she was over it. As for milk, she never drank it either. She still doesn't. I just try to make sure she has other calcium alternatives, like cheese, yogurt, and broccoli.

You're in charge. He's old enough to understand the change. If you give him a cup of water or juice and he spits it out, then too bad. He'll have to be thirsty. Then he'll understand that change has come and if he wants a drink, it will have to be what you give him. THere are other ways to bond with your child besides breastfeeding - don't worry!

Thank you for this posting. Im still nursing my 15 mo old because he's having feeding issues but I also feel like I'm getting the ewwww from people, sometimes even my mom. It was nice to see all the responses and I agree with the other women it sounds like you are a caring mother keep up the good work =)

If by "mainly just at nights" you mean that he's waking up for night feedings, then I would say that probably should stop at his age. Otherwise, it's a completely personal choice. I will agree with what my pediatrician told me when I was trying to get rid of the bottle and that is "the longer you wait, the harder it will be." But honestly, if you're both enjoying it...who cares?

When the time is right for YOU, however, weening is best done gradually. For example, just cut out one feeding a week (or cut out the "by request" feedings) over the course of a couple of months. That way, it's easier on your son and you hopefully won't have to deal with painful engorgement. Trust me, your boobs will thank you!

As for the milk issue, you could always try pumping some breastmilk and giving it to him in a sippy-cup (or bottle). Then slowly start to add more and more cow's milk to it over time until he gets used to the new flavor. It worked for my kids when we switched from formula, anyway.

Just a thought. Good luck to you!

There is no need to wean until you both are ready! Please don't believe American society's hype that breastfeeding past a year is harmful in any way. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for a MINIMUM (NOT a maximum) of two years. I breastfed my son to 2y9m (33 months) and would still be doing so if our next pregnancy hadn't dried up my supply. Go for it as long as you're comfortable! It is an awesome tool for soothing and building immunity. Good for you!!