ADVICE RATING |
 4.87 (Highly recommend) from 30 votes (1549 Visits) |
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Extended breastfeeding |
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by mcm  (January 2007) (rank 5th) |
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When I had my first child, I was led to believe that breastfeeding was to end at one. I think that its about the society norm. I was very insecure about my adequacy as a mother, especially first time mother. I kept co - sleeping a secret for a long time.
even trying to avoid co - sleeping feeling I was doing wrong. Slowly over time and having my second child, I am learning to trust my instincts. What works for others might not necessarily work for me, and what works for me wont necessarily work for others. But it certainly helps to know others are coping with similar things as a parent.
When my daughter was 11 months she was biting and I couldn't handle it so I weaned her and gave her a bottle with made up skim milk til she was a year, on advice from my mum. But when I had my boy, I thought about breastfeeding differently. Why does it have to end at 12months? Breastfeeding is a beautiful way of nourishing and bonding with your child at any age. (As long as it is working for mum and bub) So I allowed for self weaning. My boy was down to one feed every couple of days at 17 months (usually at night) til 18mths he gave up the booby altogether.
My bub is now 14 months and he feeds on demand at home and in public. I hope he feeds as long as he wishes too.
The WHO (World Health Organisation) code recommends that children breastfeed to up to 2 years and beyond. This is because the benefits of breastfeeding don't end at 12months or any specific age either. Please read the links below for more information.
But even now at the age of 6 he still likes to have a try. So all those who want to keep going - go for it your very lucky if you can.
