mothers, how long is it considered proper to breast feed?

[wildhorses]

has a norm, standard or precedent been set?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

1. ...

:popcorn:

[wildhorses]

6. you think?

:shrug:

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Only until the baby is full.

:P

[wildhorses]

4. especially at olive garden and on airplanes

;)

[Deja Q]

14. How old is the baby?

:hide:

[wildhorses]

46. which one?

:evilgrin:

[Deja Q]

51. Well, I recently became 35...

:rofl:

[wildhorses]

58. ya nut!!

:hug:

[Spacemom]

3. At least 1 year

Then continuing as long as mom and child feel comfortable.

http://www.llli.org/FAQ/bflength.html

[wildhorses]

5. thanks for the link

:hi:

[Maddy McCall]

7. Different for everyone. I did for 2 1/2 years.

My son thrived on breast milk...and, after he reached six months or so, the proper foods that we added to his diet. He nursed until he was two and a half, but after he was a year old, his nursing diminished greatly.

You have to decide when you want to wean. No one can decide for you. I think that the greatest benefit comes, though, with breastfeeding a full year.

:)

[wildhorses]

39. thanks, maddy.

:hi:

[yellowdogintexas]

52. sounds like me and my daughter. Agree on the full year

it makes a big difference. My daughter had terrible upset tummy when she was getting a new tooth, and breast milk was the only thing she could keep down. Some new foods were that way too.

She never had an ear infection and was a very healthy child.

[FuzzySlippers]

8. I think you should have the kid weened by the time

s/he leaves for college.

[THUNDER HANDS]

9. until college

possibly sophomore year. Freshman if they're gifted.

[supernova]

11. Bitty?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8orUaCJ0GY

[Kutjara]

34. You beat me to it!

The second I saw the subject line of the OP, I was ready to link the video. Great minds, and all that. :)

[wildhorses]

38. i have seen that before. perfect!! funny then, hilarious now.

:hi:

[Lisa]

102. well, it's probably more nutritious than most residence food plans (n/t)

[trof]

10. But seriously, folks...

Our daughter went from boob to sippy cup.
Tommy-Tippy.
Don't remember time frame.

[Maddy McCall]

13. Same with mine...

never had a bottle or a pacifier, and wouldn't have known what to do with either. LOL.

[matcom]

15. i personally went from boob to sippy-boob

GREAT transition

[wildhorses]

84. i know mrs matcom loves you --

we are all grateful;)

:rofl:

[BarenakedLady]

20. Same here

For all three.

[Blue Diadem]

12. I saw something on the news about it last night. Kids at 4

I think that's too long but then they're not my kids.

[Joe Fields]

19. Four? How does a mother explain that away?

[BarenakedLady]

21. Why would she have to?

:shrug:

[Joe Fields]

24. Oh yeah. Four years is a perfectly normal time to breastfeed!

Happens all the time.
sorry. don't mean to snark. but it sounds wrong and not normal. Almost perverted.

[Breeze54]

25. It's an individual choice. If the mother is still producing milk and

is comfortable with it, who are you or I to decide?

It's a personal choice.

[wildhorses]

62. breeze, may i ask -- what if the mother's milk is drying up

almost non-productive? the child will be 2 in september...

[Breeze54]

69. I'm no expert but sounds like

a comfort thing to me and so what?? ;)

My youngest slept in my bed with me until he was almost five!!

Not every night but a lot of nights and he's all grown up and
sane and not insecure and he doesn't do it anymore!! :rofl:

I mean, who cares? Under five is still a baby, in my book! ;)

Eventually, kids grow out of those things! They find new things

to do, as they grow up and discover the world beyond Mom! ;)

[wildhorses]

72. their world gets bigger minute by minute

it is amazing to watch!!

:hug:

[Breeze54]

71. Congratulations!!!

:woohoo: Awesome!! :)



:hug:

[wildhorses]

73. beautiful pic --

i love black and whites. that tiny, little hand :wow:

just sent a shiver:)

:hug:

[Maddy McCall]

76. I also know a woman who nursed until 4.

Her daughter is a successful and happy 26 year old today. I didn't see anything freaky about it. And this woman is a physician's wife, who supported her choice to breastfeed for as long as she did.

[bicentennial_baby]

29. Perverted in your mind, maybe, but

for some mothers and children, it's the correct course of action. Who are you to judge? Hmmm?

[Joe Fields]

31. Not just mine. Take a survey.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

32. Yes, yes.

I'm sure there are lots of perverts out there.

[Joe Fields]

33. not just out there...

[BarenakedLady]

30. "wrong and not normal. Almost perverted."

Really? Wow.

4 years old is not that old really. American culture isn't very supportive of extended breastfeeding on the whole. I'd be interested to see the stats on average length of time breastfeeding in other cultures that don't over-sexualize the female body.

[Joe Fields]

35. I'm sure it's different for other cultures.

I am only stating my sensibilities as an American, since that is the culture that is most prevalent on this board. It would be interesting to see what some european du'ers have to say on this subject.

[Breeze54]

40. Long Term Breastfeeding May Reduce Risks for Breast Cancer

http://thelactivist.blogspot.com/2005/11/long-term-breastfeeding-may-reduce.html">Long Term Breastfeeding May Reduce Risks for Breast Cancer

snip-->

While the jury is still out on whether or not breastfeeding definitively plays a role in preventing breast cancer, there have been several studies that have shown strong links breastfeeding and reduced breast cancer rates. A Chinese study that was conducted showed that women that breastfeed for a very long time (six years total) had a 63% decreased risk of breast cancer over mothers that had never breastfed. A study published in 2001 that was conducted at Yale University also showed that women that breastfed their first child for more than 13 months also had a reduced risk of breast cancer.

A study that looked at data from 47 different studies in 30 countries showed that the incidence of breast cancer is lower among women in developing nations and suggested that this may be because women have more children and breastfeed longer. The study showed that a woman's risk of breast cancer drops by about 4.3% for every year she logs breastfeeding. The risk goes down another 7% for every child born.

Some research has also shown that women who were breastfed as infants have a lower breast cancer risk than women who were formula fed. The theory here is that the hormones and immunities that a mother passes to her child play a role in helping that child's body fight cancer causing agents.

More.....

[Connonym]

85. I think the better part of a year is about right

In a lot of cultures it's common to nurse for several years. We do seem to be squeamish about it in America though. I wish I had been able to nurse better with my kids. I had to stop after 5 weeks with #1 and breast surgery prevented me from having adequate milk supply for #2 and she only nursed for a couple of days :(

[electron_blue]

90. It isn't abnormal or perverted and in fact goes on a lot more than you would predict.

[fortyfeetunder]

125. Outside the Western world 4 years is normal

Think about it, it's easily carried, no bottles, always fresh. And acts somewhat as birth control.
I don't see a problem at all.

fortyfeetunder, a former "dairy queen" or "Moo-my"

[Left Is Write]

131. Moo-my! Heeee!

My husband and I called our babies' food "booby soup."

[redqueen]

88. Cause people have this habit of stickin their noses in where they don't belong

that's why.

:hi:

[Joe Fields]

117. Alright. You've proven that you're snarky, flippant and childish.

Now, are you going to allow some of us the entitlement of our opinions on a discussion?

And are you also going to continue following me around and presenting this behavior?

[redqueen]

138. I responded to SOMEONE ELSE!

What, you think YOU'RE the only person who sticks their nose in where it doesn't belong?

Bit of a problem, that...

[Blue Diadem]

27. I don't really think she did explain it.

I think at that age it's more for comfort for the child.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

42. There's something really creepy about a kid who can speak in complete sentences being nursed.

I always wonder about the mother and her mental status. :shrug: Just my opinion, though. I never gawk or say anything, but we have left a restaurant early because of it.
Duckie

[Maddy McCall]

75. I wonder about the sexual hang-ups of the person criticizing the mother and child.

:shrug:

[redqueen]

91. But...but...but... long-term suckling of boobs is for SEX ONLY!

Anything else is perverted and... and... just wrong!

:rofl:

[BlooInBloo]

115. sigh... if only....

:rofl:

[wildhorses]

118. you.big.silly

:spank:

[Fran Kubelik]

97. yes

:applause:

[SPKrazy]

16. at least a year I believe

I've seen it a lot longer and have mixed feelings about that but on the other hand :shrug:

[Shine]

17. I nursed both of mine til they were about 2 yrs old...and mostly, by then

it was just "comfort nursing"...at naps and bedtime.

Anything beyond 3 yrs old seems a bit much, imo....but on the other hand (or breast), to each, their own.

I try not to be judgmental about stuff like that.

:hi: wildhorses! :loveya:

[wildhorses]

63. thanks, shine --

:hi: :hug:

[LaraMN]

18. I think the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests

at least two years. Last I checked, anyway.

I don't think nursing beyond that is a big deal, but everyone has a different opinion about how long a woman *should* nurse. That's a flamewar, in itself.

[wildhorses]

64. thanks, lara

:hi: :hug:

[WindRavenX]

22. however long you feel comfortable with

NT

[Breeze54]

23. Depends on the baby and the mother, imho!

;)

My first? They told me I couldn't because he was jaundiced.
Second didn't want to at all. He was drinking almost 2, 4 oz bottles in the nursery per feeding!
Third wanted to and I did breastfeed him but only for a short time (6 wks).

It's an individual choice, I think.

[Maine-ah]

112. huh

in my birthing class we were told to constantly BF for jaundice. Weird.

[Breeze54]

142. Well, that was at a Catholic Hospital and it was 30 yrs ago

They didn't want my husband in the delivery room either.
That was when that issue was crossing the country and was new.

I didn't understand it either but that's what they told me.

[LostinVA]

26. Oh God, I just HAD popcorn

[wildhorses]

48. here, have some more -- plenty for everyone!!

[LostinVA]

77. We'll be down your way this weekend, btw

[wildhorses]

92. really?

shoot me a pm...with info. if time allows maybe we can hook up? visiting your parents?

[LostinVA]

95. Yes, visiting the parents

We may not have time -- am checking -- you're only about an hour away.

[wildhorses]

101. they

are in boone/blowing rock area, correct? i shot you a pm. if time allows on your end, i will drive up there for a meal...lunch, supper, whatever works for you guys.

[LostinVA]

113. I need to call the parental units in a bit

I'll see what they have planned -- we'd love to meet you.

[wildhorses]

114. sounds good --- look forward to it, if we can work out the details.

:hug::hi::hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

28. Til mom and baby are damned well ready to wean.

I couldn't take any more when their front teeth were all in. But that was me, and my kids didn't mind.

[LeftyMom]

36. The AAP policy is "for the first year, and as long afterwards as mother and child mutually desire"

The WHO recommends a minimum of two years.

[wildhorses]

89. thanks for the quote.

:hi:

[Writer]

37. i almost posted something emabarrasing in thie thread

I'm sorry wilehorses it'a a good quesiotn

I will breastfeed my chilren for six months or so... makes sinese.. believe me it doesn't make a difference we just think it does we liv in America and have nutirioous food not like other countries that's why we can do it for less ... unless you really get into that kind of thing

[wildhorses]

41. omg~writer!!

;) you crack me up :rofl:

scary thing is i heard this exact thing said (almost verbatim) today by a kool-aid drinking, rush-loving, knuckle-dragging repub :wow:

[Writer]

54. my friend the fundy is alla bout breast feeding

I thinkt i s't one of those cros political things

[wildhorses]

60. i truly love this paticular knuckle-dragger. compared to some

around here this one is slightly moderate and will keep an open mind. loves nature and will listen to intelligent, opposing arguments.

there may be after all.

[Writer]

61. my f;undy friend is very close minded

`she has an opiniobona about EVERYTHIGN! She doens't shut up.

I'm glad you have a godo funndy friend

[YellowRubberDuckie]

43. It's creepy to nurse after a kid can speak full sentences, at least in my opinion...

If you want to give him/her breast milk beyond that, fine. Give it to them in a sippy cup, then.
Duckie

[Breeze54]

45. It's even more creepy to

have to have your breasts removed!

[YellowRubberDuckie]

53. Yeah....

Why did you bring that up?

[Breeze54]

55. Look at my post upthread

;)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=6783189&mesg_id=6783521

[YellowRubberDuckie]

56. Does pumping count?

Because I encouraged this. :)
Duckie

[Breeze54]

70. I have no idea but I would think so!!

;)

I think pumping would still cause the 'creation' of 'oestregen'(?)

Wouldn't it? :shrug:

[electron_blue]

93. Why is it creepy? Are you afraid they will talk about it?

I don't understand why people get creeped out about this. I really don't.

[mopinko]

44. proper? fuck proper.

it's up to you. but i will say that if you can't defend nursing as long as you want, you are going to have a bumpy ride as a mom.
toughen up.

[wildhorses]

47. yes sir!!

[mopinko]

49. that's ma'am. thanks.

i know whereof i speak. it is a crazy, crazy road.
enjoy the baby part. it doesn't get any better than that.

[wildhorses]

50. oops, sorry!!

:blush:

[Joe Fields]

57. you didn't tell me you were pregnant...pfftt.....

:wow:

[wildhorses]

59. so many secrets, so little time --

:evilgrin:

:rofl:

[Joe Fields]

66. one too many secrets...

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[tigereye]

65. til he or she starts to bite, I would say

for me it was about 9 -10 months....

[wildhorses]

67. thanks. love your sigline, too.

:hi:

[tigereye]

68. hey, how are ya?

I have seen women breastfeed up to when the kids were talking more - I really think it's up to the mom and the kid and their comfort level.

[MissMillie]

74. I suggest you ask your pediatrician

:shrug:

beyond that... it's no one's beeswax

[wildhorses]

82. thanks, missmillie.

:hi:

[Myrina]

78. 6 months.

IIRC that's about when they are advised to go off formula for non-breast-feeders.

Toddlers or older? That's just creepy. :scared:

[wildhorses]

83. there are others here who would agree with that --

:shrug:

:hi:

[SarahB]

104. Actually, iron fortified formula is recommended for a full year for bottle-fed babies.

After that, whole milk until two for optimal myelination of nervous tissue. You have old info.

Breast-feeding until two with the introduction of solid foods beginning at six months will produce (statistically speaking) better health and brain development though.

[Left Is Write]

128. It must be REALLY old info.

My oldest child is 20, and I formula-fed her after I went back to work at 6 weeks. The recommendation even then, 20 years ago, was to keep her on the formula until at least 12 months.

She is the only one of my three that didn't breastfeed for an "extended" period of time.

[Left Is Write]

126. Pediatricians do not recommend going off formula at 6 months.

Formula fed infants should be formula-fed for at least a year.

May I ask why it is creepy to nurse toddlers? I did.

[Midlodemocrat]

79. At least a year. Mine all weaned themselves after a year.

[wildhorses]

80. i think that is a good guideline, thanks midlo.

did you offer and they refused? what if they had kept 'diving for it'? would you have allowed them to continue past the year? did you go from breast to bottle or, breast to sippy cup?

[Midlodemocrat]

81. Actually, as they got more mobile, they seemed less and less

interested in the breast. My youngest weaned herself at 15months, and I think what happened with all three is that the less time they spent nursing, the less milk I made.

They went straight from the breast to a sippy cup which worked out well for all of us.

I had friends who couldn't breastfeed for one reason or another, as well as some who simply didn't want to, but for me, it was how I bonded with them and at that point in our lives, we used to do all kinds of family things together, like Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, etc.

I fear if I had been forced to use formula, they would have starved.

[redqueen]

86. Sure... the 'norm' is to stop nursing your child ASAP...

god knows why.

I think the recommended minimum is 1 year... but there's no reason to stop till you and your child are ready to.

[wildhorses]

130. what if the mother's physical capabilities are ready

but, emotionally she is not ready :shrug:

[redqueen]

139. well then nursing for comfort is always an option...

like a natural pacifier sort of deal :D

[wildhorses]

140. so then, the mother's enmotional need to be a pacifier

is equal to the child's desire to wean?

[redqueen]

141. errrrrr

i don't know... i'm confused now :P

[wildhorses]

143. i am trying to be tactful...

this is NOT me by the way. you do understand what i am asking or, do i need to rephrase?

[redqueen]

145. i don't understand what you're asking, no...

sorry!

PM, perhaps?

[wildhorses]

146. ok, give me minute and then check your pm

thanks.

[joneschick]

87. moms don't get too many chances to do something perfectly.

For us it was right around a year for each of my three girls. They basically weaned themselves. :hi:

[wildhorses]

134. thanks.

:hi:

[Bjornsdotter]

94. Nothing is set

..until Mom and baby are ready, but I really lean towards when the baby is ready. As for me, mine was between 2 1/2 and 3 years old.

Cheers

[Orsino]

96. An hour or two at a time, at most.

You can develop a wicked hunchback.

[Left Is Write]

98. I nursed my second child until she was 3-1/2. I nursed my third until he was a just past 2 years old

For 18 months, I tandem nursed them.

I fail to see anything wrong or creepy about it.

They are a happy 7-year-old and 5-year-old now.

[wildhorses]

119. so, you had the second while still breast feeding the first?

you produced milk for 3-1/2 years?

what if the mother is no longer producing and continues to let the child suckle? child appears ready to wean but, mother is not ready to accept the fact?

just an observation but, it seems like one of my friends does not want to recognize the fact that her child is growing up...trying to be pc about terminology. please, do not infer anything snarky. just trying to understand the psychology behind all this.

[Left Is Write]

124. I can't give you insights into the psychology of a mother who doesn't want to wean when her child

does. I was more than ready for my kids to wean by the time they did.

And yes, I produced milk that long (longer, actually, because including all the time my son nursed, I nursed for just over four years), and yes I nursed my older one all through my pregnancy with my younger one. Towards the end of the pregnancy, I was back to producing colostrum, but my daughter didn't seem bothered by the change (and at nearly two was getting most of her nutrition through table foods).

It's actually a good thing she was still nursing when my son was born. He was taken to the NICU less than 24 hours after he was born, and he was unable to nurse the first 2-1/2 days of his life. I let my daughter nurse extra times those days, ensuring that my new milk would come in properly, and I was able to keep a good supply. My son stayed in the NICU for 7 days, and I was at the hospital from 6AM to 9PM every day so that I could nurse him for almost all of his feedings. Before I left at night, I pumped enough to feed him once or twice overnight.

By the time my daughter weaned at almost exactly 3-1/2 years, she was down to just one or two comfort nursings a week just before bedtime. She really tapered off very slowly. My son stopped nursing a month after his 2nd birthday, but he didn't taper off slowly like his sister did. He just decided one day that "nurse all gone." I was quite ready for him to wean at that point.

[wildhorses]

127. thanks for sharing your experience.

:hug:

[billyskank]

99. You probably want to stop some time before they go to university.

:D

[wildhorses]

122. i say make 'em attend local school and DEMAND they come

home every 4-6 hours for nourishment:evilgrin:

[Critters2]

100. I know a woman who nursed until the kid was ready for kindergarten

That seemed a little late, and a little odd, to me. I figure a year, maybe a bit more, but not much.

[wildhorses]

123. are you saying THIS woman produced milk for 5 years?

:shrug:

[Left Is Write]

132. As long as there is sufficient stimulation, lactation can and does continue for years.

[wildhorses]

136. ok, thanks.

really do appreciate you sharing your experience and knowledge :hug:

[NNadir]

103. I found myself hoping my kids would wean before college.

Their mom told me to be patient.

I was. Neither of them went to kindergarten needing to wean, but it was close.

Both of my boys have been very healthy in every way.

A lot of people had crap to say about their long nursing periods, but in the end it was none of their damn business.

[SKKY]

105. If I'm Selma Hayek's soon to be born child...

...I'd say until I was 28. At least.

[SarahB]

106. Breastfeeding recommendations

American Academy of Pediatrics- A minimum of 12 months (and as long as mutually desired) with the introduction of solid foods beginning at 6 months.

World Health Organization- A minimum of 2 years with the gradual introduction of solid foods beginning at 6 months.

Link to 101 Reasons for Breastfeeding (with other available links regarding research, not uninformed opinions)- http://www.promom.org/101/

And yet again, I love seeing the uptight negative body-image, repressed know-it-alls with no experience or education on the subject either from a medical standpoint or a child development standpoint throwing in their useless, prudish 2 cents. Grow up.

-From a former breastfeeding mom of 4 who is both an RN and degreed early childhood professional who actually knows research and real recommendations on said subject matter.

[wildhorses]

133. so, as long as the emotional desire is still there on the part

of the mother then her emotional needs are just as important as the child needs to wean?

[SarahB]

137. It is a mutual relationship.

I saw something upthread regarding the situation with a two year old and a very small milk supply. It can still can help with bedtime. It can still help fight infections. People need to do what's best for their children and for themselves as mothers. There's no one or the other here.

[fortyfeetunder]

135. Glad you posted

You had the good resources! :hi:

[Lyric]

107. As long as the baby wants to.

Seriously. I don't get the societal "weirdness" about nursing babies past 2 years old. Who gives a damn? As long as it's not a case of the mother doing it for some sexual purpose, why is it anyone else's business at all?

[trof]

108. 30 minutes. 45 tops if they're not asleep and still going at it.

:-)

[guitar man]

109. My daughter is 18 months

and I'm 44 y/o.

Right now, an enthusiasm for breastfeeding is something my daughter and I have in common. Right one's yours, left one's mine kiddo....:hide: :spank:

Seriously though, I am glad my wife is able to breastfeed as long as possible and I support and encourage it. WHO says until 2 yrs is a good thing so I say go go go!!

The only problem so far is the size of Mrs. Gtrman's breasts and breastfeeding in public. When she goes to pull out one of those 44hhh's, it's like everybody really notices....:wow:

[wildhorses]

129. good.lord.

:wow::wow:


:spank:


:rofl:

[laylah]

110. I nursed both of mine...

until they were 13 months old; however, the oldest was forced weaned because I got ill and had to take medications I did not want in her body. The younger weaned herself. I believe it is a personal choice, however long you, and the baby, are comfortable with it.

[wildhorses]

120. what if the mother has quit producing milk

and the child shows signs of weaning but the mother does not appear to be emotionally ready to handle this fact?

[laylah]

147. Awwwwww

sweet MaMa...only YOU can answer that question :hug: From my experience, albeit from days gone, as long as the baby is sucking, milk should produce. If not, at least comfort is there, for both of you. BUT, if the baby is ready...I really don't know what to say. I know I felt totally rejected when my younger one ( my "WAIT 'TIL YOU HAVE KIDS OF YOUR OWN" child) weaned herself. Such a feeling of rejection and I was very sad. On the other side of the coin, it denotes independence, IMVHO. The good news is, you WILL figure it out and whatever "IT" is, I have no doubt, will be in the best interest of all.

[Maine-ah]

111. as long as mother and child want to and are

comfortable with, imho.

[wildhorses]

121. will you continue to allow the child

to suckle after you are no longer producing milk and they show signs of willingness to wean?

[Maine-ah]

144. if you are no longer producing milk

then it's not breast feeding. The child is just sucking on a tit. Sorry to sound so crass. Someone needs to go buy the kid a binkey.

[Dastard Stepchild]

116. I'm planning for 12 months...

with weaning beginning slowly around that time. We'll see if that works out with the baby. I'm up for it. :)