I am currently an extended breastfeeder. That’s funny to me because I never thought I would be in this position. Why did I never think this? I guess it’s because the society that I live in is still pretty squeamish about breastfeeding, and extended breastfeeding, well, that’s a don’t ask don’t tell subject.
My first son was not breastfed. I wanted to nurse him, but will own up to the fact that I didn’t try hard enough. I was so determined to nurse my daughter. It was tough, tough, tough at first, but I knew the literature on the health benefits of breast milk. I was determined and my baby girl took to it like a fish takes to water.
We haven’t looked back. At 13 months old, she has really never taken a bottle. I know the ultimate comfort and bond to me that breastfeeding gives my baby girl. Even my son used his bottle as a comfort object until he was 20 months old. I didn’t force it away from him.
Currently, my baby girl nurses two or three times a day and before bed. Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed, sometimes I get tired of lifting my shirt for her. When we’re at home, it’s no problem, but I worry what other people think when they see her “assume the position” in my arms and tug at my shirt. So many people who have never breastfed or been around a breastfeeding mother think it’s disgusting. I even thought that at one time. The most common question I get now that my baby is one is, “When are you going to get her off the boob?”
I just say that I don’t know, because I don’t. She is pretty much leading this thing. I think since I am a stay at home mom and homemaker that it is much easier for me to keep going with nursing. Breastfeeding is a beautiful thing. How awesome is it that I can provide all the nutrition my baby needs her first six months plus comfort and additional nutrition later on? It is only this society that pushes breastfeeding newborns and weaning one-year-olds that makes me feel uncomfortable. There isn’t a switch in a baby’s brain that goes off at one year of age that makes the baby want to wean.
How long should breastfeeding go on? I think that is individual for each mother and baby. I’m willing to breastfeed until around age 2. In fact, the World Health Organization recommends a child receive breast milk up to age 2 or even longer! Do I hope she weans earlier? Sometimes, but I won’t force her. I do believe in baby led weaning. When she is old enough to understand that my breasts are a part of me and she can’t just have them whenever she wants, I think and hope it will be easier for her to self wean.
For the most part, I have loved this experience. I don’t want to judge other mothers and how long they choose to nurse their children. It’s a natural thing, and I think for the most part, baby will wean when the time is right.
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Hi! I just found your blog via Twitter.
I thought I’d comment and say I think you are doing the right thing. I have two kiddos. I tried to wean my daughter at 16 months and it didn’t work very well. I tried again at 18 months (since I was pregnant with my son by then!) and it was fine. I didn’t end up weaning my son until he was 20 months. No need to rush things if you are both liking the status quo. 
Thank you so much for the encouragement, Kinda Crunchy Kate! I agree that not rushing weaning is probably the best way to go!
My daughter didn’t wean until after 2 years old. I too never thought (nor intended) to be an extended breastfeeder. She will be 3 in January and if it was left up to her she probably would still be breastfeeding. The only advice I would give is to make sure they don’t breastfeed falling asleep. My daughter has caps on her teeth because she would hold the last of the milk in her mouth as she drifted off to sleep which rotted her top teeth.
P.S. Having rotten teeth because the baby fell asleep with milk in their mouth is not unique to breastfeeding. The same thing can and does happen to children who go to sleep with bottles of anything other than water.
TMichelle, thanks for the reminder. This is something that concerns me.
Good for YOU! You are doing what ALL of us should be doing. My goodness, back in the day’s of old women breast feed until at least that age as a matter or frugality and need. What happened to our society is this push to buy manufactured products….it’s crazy! You are amazing!
xoxox
Jenny
I love this post and congratulate you your dedication! My son turned 2 October 17th and weaned the week before. It was very sad for me, as I enjoyed the bodning and the special time we had. I am, however, 25+ weeks pregnant and know this was my motivator for weaning before baby #2 arrived. It was actually simple-ish (I guess my milk changed???) I would have kept going if I wasn’t so far into my pregnancy…so I say keep going until you are BOTH ready! It’s healthy, natural and beautiful!
Extended nursing is a wonderful thing. It really is no ones business how long you nurse. I nursed my oldest until he was three and a half. When people ask you when your are going to stop, just tell them “Well, I don’t know of any college students who nurse, so at least by then.”
That should stop the questions.
Glad there is someone like me out there, my son is only 10 months but im in no rush to wean him at all!
I nursed both my kids, and I loved the bonding time. I nursed my daughter until 13 months (i quit b/c i thought i was ‘supposed’ to). I nursed my son until 15 months (I got the flu and lost my supply). I wanted to nurse him longer, but I am grateful for the time we had. I think you’re doing a wonderful thing for her.
Thank you all so much for the encouraging words! I feel in my gut that I should do most things naturally, and that even means continuing with breastfeeding because it feels like the right thing to do right now!