Feeding on demand still at 12 months?

Just a pondering really.

I still BF Mabel on demand. She has recently taken to just grabbing my top and yanking it up when she wants to feed, and then only feeds for a really short time, but keeps coming back for more. I am still just feeding her as and when she asks for it. Is that right? (Is there a right and wrong??)

I still pretty much feed on demand though might distract with drink/food/toys if I think he's just trying his luck.  Luckily he's never really gone rooting around my top.  You can have nursing manners whenever you wish though

I really don't think there is a right or wrong and you have to find what suits you and Mabel. I am still BFing Joe, though this is only first thing in the morning and just before bed. A few weeks ago he was tired and fed up after nursery and made it very clear he wanted a BF! It was new to me as he hasn't really 'asked' before. I was happy to BF him then and it really settled him. For me, I want to think about winding down BFing in the next few months or two so am not particularly keen on him helping himself now (he's just turned one). Unless he''s ill, I'll try distraction in the future if he wants to BF at random times or just offer milk in a cup. I'm happy that he's getting enough calories through the day and don't really like the idea of him 'snacking' now. That is just my opinion for me and Joe though!

How do you feel about BFing on demand?

There is no right and wrong
I BF mainly on demand at 2.5 yrs (usually if I sit down for too long in the afternoon when we're at home!). Toddlers can receive a significant portion of their dietary needs from mother's milk and I'm happy for him to lead the way on his needs (be they dietary or comfort).

You might want to consider reading up on kellymom.com about nursing manners. Isaac doesn't grab my top but he does twiddle the other nipple which more often than not annoys the hell out of me (and can be sore when he's got uneven nails) - I wish I'd stopped this early on as he often complains loudly when i stop him these days.
Maybe you could encourage her to sign or milk, pat your boobs gently.. whatever works for you both.

Ooh, thank you, I'll have a read about nursing manners.

I am still more than happy to feed on demand, I'm just not sure that she is feeding because she is hungry. Having said that, she has been ill, so I was happily giving it to her as and when. She is eating solid food quite well, but not amazingly, which is why I am still happy to BF, because at least I know that she is getting some nourishment. 

breastfeeding isn't just about food though, which is one reason I'm happy to feed on demand as I presume if he's asking he just wants the comfort or even a drink!

R treats my breasts the way I treat a nice box of chocolates... no nutritional need, not hungry - but I see them and think 'ooooh!  mmmmm - chocolate!'    She even says 'mimi!' in just the same way I would say 'hotel chocolat!'

Sometimes it's hunger, other times comfort / habit (e.g. bed and night time).  But during the day it's just cos the likes it.  And we're fine with that.  We feed on demand at 22 months.  She also sticks her hand in and yanks my nipple out.  Tbh I find it endearing!  I do sometimes say 'in a minute' and make her wait - but it's rare that we're doing anything that can't wait, or be done at the same time as breastfeeding.  She's also a nipple twiddler, but that doesn't bother me either.

I agree with everyone else - there's no right or wrong!

Thanks all.

MarineGirl, you never fail to make me giggle.

I agree with the comfort element of BFing. And that is just one reason why I definitely want to continue with it.

I read a bit about nursing manners and I showed her the milk sign today and a little clip on YouTube and she got it by the next feed. I was amazed! Although she did spend the whole afternoon signing milk every ten minutes or so, going on the boob for about five seconds and then grinning inanely at me! I think she was rather pleased with herself! 

I must be a cruel mummy then as both of mine stopped demand feeding during the day about 5 months of age and settled into a pattern, although night feeds was a different matter.

I pretty much feed on demand still. We feed at bedtime and in the morning, and at least once (sometimes up to 3 times still) in the night. Usually he doesn't feed in the day, especially if I'm working but if I'm at home with him, he does feed around naps sometimes. Today he has had about 3 feeds.

I want to night wean fairly soon, but am happy to continue BFing otherwise on demand, for food / drink / comfort / bonding...

same here too (at nearly 11 months) - Today A fed at 8am, 3pm, 7pm and just before he went to sleep at 9.30pm - but if i'm at home and he is clearly in need of a nap i do sometimes just feed him too sleep (lazy mummy icon required). and he still feeds once or twice a night.

I just go with the be honest, too lazy to do anything else!

Same here as well, I feed H (also very nearly 11 months) on demand, it can be little and often when we are at home but if we are out he tends to feed less often, but will have much longer feeds when we finally get home.  He still feeds in the night at least once, I am very happy to follow his lead although I am also thinking of implementing some manners as he will pull at my top or try to reach in and grab it/them

He likes to point and shout at them as well and it is nice to know that other do it, as none of the other bf'ed babies I know make quite the same fuss for milk as H does.