Now that Carter is a year old, I'm getting a lot of, "You're STILL breastfeeding??" Some, "How much longer are you going to do it?" And a lot of "Wow" said in an ew-that's-really-gross tone.
I never in a million years thought I'd be breastfeeding an almost-toddler, much less an almost-toddler with 9 teeth. I was going to try for 3 months, and then be comfortable with switching to formula. I've talked about it before, but we worked really hard in the beginning. I cried. A lot. My toes curled, my nipples bled. And then the angel lactation consultant saved us, the day after Thanksgiving last year. After all that determination and pain, I wasn't going to give it up so easily. Three months came and went, and then I set a new goal of six months. Then 9 months. And at nine months I was sure the well was running dry. Pumping at work was yielding next to nothing and it was very frustrating. But Carter seemed to be getting what he needed when he nursed directly so we kept at it.
And here we are a few months later and still going strong. He eats table food and drinks whole milk instead of formula (at daycare), but he is still a breastfed baby when I'm around. And he loves it. If you so much as mention the word "milkies" around him, he drops what he's doing and gets to me as fast as he can, whining and licking his lips.
So, yes, we are STILL breastfeeding and will continue to do so as long as we're both happy with it. And for right now, neither of us is ready to give it up.
And now, just for curiosity's sake, how long (if at all) did you nurse your child?
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16 comments:
We breastfed until Handsome was 14 or 15 months and I would have gladly continued longer, but he just decided he was done. My original goal was to make it to two years and then reevaluate at that time. WHO recommends breastfeeding for at least two years. I say go as long as both you and Carter want to.
At nearly 17 months I'm getting the same from a few people. I spout off my WHO recommendations, remind them that I work in breastfeeding and then say something along the lines of, "I'm hoping he'll decide to quit before college, because otherwise he's kind of relegated to going in-state."
We're at 19 months and still going with our second. Our first weaned at 18 months. Every time my mil calls she asks if I'm still nursing. Drives me crazy.
Xavier hates bottles, has always refused them, and although now, at almost 12 months, he eats and drinks (a little milk at daycare, lots of water anytime) I can't see the point trying to convince him to drink them.
While there are health benefits and Xav is happy drinking, I am happy to provide. I used to think I would do it for 1 year, but it seems cruel to suddenly deny him something that gives him so much comfort, so I am going to do child led weaning. Most kids do suddenly refuse it before 2 years, and while that will be sad for me, it is better than making him sad but denying him.
My response when someone is dissaproving is that WHO recomends breastfeeding until 2 years and that I HATE doing dishes so why would I change something that is healthier, for something that makes more work for me?
We are still nursing and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. I will just work around whatever I have to to make it work for him.
People should keep their opinions about that kind of stuff to themselves.
Good for you!! We only made it to 13 months. I desperately wanted to continue but she was DONE.
Good for you amy. dont listen to those people. You're doing a great job giving your son the best that he can get. Same with Jess here, She's 17 months old and I really don't see an end in site. She and I are fine with it and that's all that matters. I plan on going for 2 years but like you, who knows what'll happen when the time comes. Or she might decide to stop before that, who knows. But whatever baby wants, baby gets.
I am impressed with everyone. I lasted 8 months demand feeding first time around then another month just at bedtime (but that was for me). Second time around I went back to work earlier and stopped at 5 months. I tried the whole pumping thing but it didn't work, my milk didn't store well and the timing was all wrong with shift work. She fed slowly (and I pumped even slower), taking upwards of an hour so I couldn't sneak home from work for a quick feed when it wasn't busy. She also hated bottles but fortunately she drank from a cup early so that was my saving grace. I wish that I had made time to enjoy having a breast fed baby, and all the other wonders of having a baby, especially knowing that there are no plans for #3.
I totally agree with you! Breastfeeding was so hard at first that I was not even remotely ready to give it up at 3 months or 9 months when it had gotten easy.
My older daughter nursed until 15 months when it just seemed to fall away from her daily routine. It wasn't a "weaning" situation or any conscious decision, it just ended naturally. I loved that.
My younger daughter is now 15 months and still nursing twice a day.
Even the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfeeding continue until at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired. I believe that mutually desired part refers to the mother and the child and doesn't involve mothers in law, family members, friends, or well meaning strangers. Tell them all to mind their own business... but in a nice way, right? ;)
My daughter Sydney started refusing me right before her 1st birthday and I was crushed! It is very special and I say you're right - as long as you're both happy with it.
Way to go!
Scout is 19 months old and still nurses for her nap and bedtime, but not much in between. Sometimes she wants to nurse right after she wakes up, but not every time. I'm pretty much in favor of child-led weaning. Although, I have sort of been feeling "done" lately. It's not so much the nursing itself that bothers me...it's the pinching, poking, scratching, squeezing, etc that just drives me up the wall. I guess we'll just play it by ear and I'll try to tough it out until I feel like she's ready to stop.
Sage was 13 months when she self weaned and Sienna is still going strong at 9 months. Even at her 9 month appt the other day, her ped said that they "recommend" weaning at 12 months "but you don't have to" he said. I couldn't believe that a Dr was ecnouraging the weaning so early.
We only made it to 13 months. In a way I feel like mission was accomplished because my goal was a year. But then again, once I stopped I wished that I hadn't. I too got the comments that you got and it made me so incredibly mad. This time around, with the new baby, it will be different. I won't let the pressure get to me. Hang in there girl! When Carter is ready he'll let ya know.
I think you're doing a great job! I remember those first few months.
Prayse and I made it until she was 8 months. I was down to an unhealthy weight and was still losing my milk, again. She was doing awesome w/ a bottle and so we decided to try and find a formula... the most expensive flippin kind on the market was the only thing that worked, but oh well.
Why people think they're allowed to have any sort of opinion on this is beyond me.
i am jealous, i went to three different lactation consultants (not counting the one at the hospital) and audrey never would latch on and i didn't make enough milk even with a reglan prescription so we are formula feeding. i would love to be able to nurse and i get the same comments, "wow, you decided to formula feed" (like you know that isn't as good as bf) and i always wonder why moms aren't kinder to each other.
how come i didn't know you lived in VA? that is crazy. where exactly do you live?
Good for you! We're at 17 months and still going strong...
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