How long breastfeeding and how long did it take to wean off the breast?

Hi guys

I am mother to a 14 month baby and STILL breastfeeding.  I really enjoy breastfeeding and my daughter will not take any other milk, expressed or cows which has not bothered me as I am not returning to work, however, I am in 2 minds though as I love breastfeeding so much but keep thinking that one day it will end.  Not looking forward to weaning her off though as it will be hard work as she is very strong minded and knows what she wants.  Also worried how it will affect me after doing it for so long.

How long have people breastfed and how long and difficult was it to wean off the breast?

If you don't want to, you don't have to.

Louise, my 1st, weaned at 15 months. She wasn't really asking any more, so I stopped offering and that was it. TBH I cried buckets. There would have been no harm in keeping going for a while, but I guess peer pressure got the better of me, sadly. Having said that she was fine and never asked again. I avoided the situation where she would expect a BFeed, like lazying around in my bed. I would get up as soon as she was awake. She never looked back.

But as I say, if both of you enjoy it, why stop?

My 8 months old is BFed and I will stop when we are both good and ready.

Best of luck.

You love it, she loves it - why waste these precious days worrying about how it will end?  In your case, as you're happy to continue, I'd say it'll end itself (or rather - she will end it) sometimes in a nice stress free manner.

R is 15 months and a breastfed baby.  She dropped day time feeding when she started nursery at 12 months without a backwards glance.  She still feeds in the day if offered, and occasionally requests it - but can can happily go without.  She'll also go without for 48 hours when I'm away with work, although 3.5 days last week made her cross and intent on feeding all night to sort out supply issues!!  But if I wanted to stop, the fact she went that long and was perfectly happy, means I think that distraction and avoiding bfing situations - lazy mornings in bed feeding, just like Maryline! - would work.

Honestly though - don't bother thinking about it if neither of you are ready to do it!

Thanks.  Part of me wants to, as I feel I want my life back if you know what I mean.  B has bath night every other and H does bath night but I still have to go upstairs afterwards and feed.  Would be nice for a night off.  But at the same time I dont want to give up any feeds.  As long as I am feeling like this though, I will carry on bf until I am sure that it is time to stop.

thanks again x

If you both enjoy it then there's no reason to stop.  I hope to feed Jude till he self weans (8 months now) not least because he's allergic to dairy so at least he has good milk this way. 

Still going at 2 and a quarter. It's only a morning feed now - she has had cow's milk at bedtime for a long long time - and whilst it sometimes looks like she's going to stop, she then takes it up again enthusiastically.

If you want to keep going, there's no problem doing so (and it's good for both of you) If you decide you've had enough one way there are various options - one is "don't offer, don't refuse" but there are stricter ways as well, cutting out feeds one at a time, for example.

You can take a night off.....my LO would never take a bottle but if I am not here she just snuggles into H and goes to sleep.

She's still feeding at 2 yrs 3 1/2 months.

My eldest self weaned (with encouragement) at 13 months 1 week.

MarineGirl:

You love it, she loves it - why waste these precious days worrying about how it will end?  In your case, as you're happy to continue, I'd say it'll end itself (or rather - she will end it) sometimes in a nice stress free manner.

 

R is 15 months and a breastfed baby.  She dropped day time feeding when she started nursery at 12 months without a backwards glance.  She still feeds in the day if offered, and occasionally requests it - but can can happily go without.  She'll also go without for 48 hours when I'm away with work, although 3.5 days last week made her cross and intent on feeding all night to sort out supply issues!!  But if I wanted to stop, the fact she went that long and was perfectly happy, means I think that distraction and avoiding bfing situations - lazy mornings in bed feeding, just like Maryline! - would work.

 

Honestly though - don't bother thinking about it if neither of you are ready to do it!

 

B has first feed after her breastfast which is about 8.30 ish.  Then one before her nap.  Then I will feed her before she goes to bed.  So it is not a hardship really.  Funny really as I really struggled feeding B, she would not feed for first 5 days, lost so much weight but persevered, then 14 months later....cant believe I am still doing it!

Just to add...

I know every child is different but I think this could help...

When L was 14 months I went away for a night. She was never keen on bottles but I had to go away... I left 3 bottles of ebm and told H to give them to her if she asked. She didn't. He tried to feed her a bottle at bedtime and she refused, and went to bed without it! She only wanted it if she knew it was readily available, ie, if I was in the house.

maryline:

Just to add...

 

I know every child is different but I think this could help...

 

When L was 14 months I went away for a night. She was never keen on bottles but I had to go away... I left 3 bottles of ebm and told H to give them to her if she asked. She didn't. He tried to feed her a bottle at bedtime and she refused, and went to bed without it! She only wanted it if she knew it was readily available, ie, if I was in the house.

 

 

 

Babies arent stupid

My19mth still feeds alot-some days retreat back to newborn days.
He can go without during the day though if distracted by things/with husband.
But as much as it is at times tiring and he has only slept "through" twice" i obviously dont want to give up-as is his feeling too...otherwiseone of us would have made the first move.As others have said just gowith what is best all round for you x

EJP1973:

maryline:

Just to add...

 

 

I know every child is different but I think this could help...

 

 

When L was 14 months I went away for a night. She was never keen on bottles but I had to go away... I left 3 bottles of ebm and told H to give them to her if she asked. She didn't. He tried to feed her a bottle at bedtime and she refused, and went to bed without it! She only wanted it if she knew it was readily available, ie, if I was in the house.

 

 

 

 

 

  

Babies arent stupid

 

No they're not!

I meant to add, she wasn't even slightly upset.

WMarylineS about having a night off.   R will happily settle for MrMG now - in fact, she practically self settle - he talks soothingly til she stops chasing her tail round the cot, and puts her head down.  For me, she insists on the breast!  It took a few evenings of MrMG taking over bedtime (at 12 months) for her to accept it.  As per previous post, I'm away with work sometimes now - and she copes just fine without her milky boo - but see me and she neeeeeeeeeeeds it!