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There are benefits of feeding past 12 months
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Full term breastfeeding

mcm by mcm Young Parent(January 2007) (rank 5th)

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.

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hmack79
November 8th | hmack79
Re: Full term breastfeeding

How true the comment about hiding co - sleeping is. Our little man is 13 months old and we are aften subject to comments about when will he be in his own bed, especially from my in-laws!!  I refuse to hide the fact that he sleeps in our bed but I am often asked to justify it! I am still breastfeeding pretty much on demand although I am hoping he starts to demand less soon as I am heading back to work part time in the new year!  I am intending to keep feeding till at least 2 unless he self-weans earlier and when ever I am questioned about it I mention the World Health Organisation recommendations.  It frustrates me how so many people know what is best for OUR child and its never co-sleeping or full-term breastfeeding!!



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beemacat
October 31st | beemacat
Re: Extended breastfeeding

This comment is needed, Breast feeding is the best way for baby till they decide they do not want it, I breast fed my children till they weand themselves and now my daughter is grown up with a baby and she is breast feeding after good support in the first few months. As parents with grandchildren we are able to support, suggest and help encourage, I did for my daughter otherwise she would have stopped in the first 2 months. Breast feeding technique  is a learnt art, it does not naturally. Best for baby, best for mum.



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nabutters
May 2008 | nabutters
Re: Extended breastfeeding

I am so happy to have found this article just now.I only just asked a question on when too long to breast feed.My Dr this morning made a comment to me that it was probably about time to finish up feeding my daughter Myah who is not quite 15mths old.Upset me as his next comment was" who are u feeding her for? you or her?" I found breast feeding very hard right up until she was nearly 9mths old and tried weaning her onto a bottle several times,and thank god she wouldnt take to the bottle.I have formed a great bond with her now and we both enjoy our cuddle while she feeds every night and every morning.I was ready to give up tonight after coming back from the Dr and thought i would just take time out to read through minti and see what other mothers have done.Thank u so much!!! as i am now going keep feeding until my little sweet Myah is ready to give her mummys milk up!! THANK U!!!!



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neostudded
May 2008 | neostudded
Full term breastfeeding

Hey, I was extreemly lucky, my mother breastfed me for five years.I can remember being breastfed and I am very probreastfeeding due to having memories for being breastfed amoung other things, it is so special.I just turned 18 and my son is nine months old, I breastfed him exculsivley for 6 months and now he is breastfeeding very often and having solids as well.My son will be breastfed until he wean's from the breast.I am hoping to get as many years as possible in, aiming for a minimum of 2-3 years here.I have done alot of reading about full term breastfeeding, and any one who wants to know more feel free tom contact me, but one site I reccomend is kelly mom, just google it, they have info on breastfeeding the toddler. Good luck



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Snooty-Farkleboob
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | Snooty-Farkleboob
Re: Extended breastfeeding
This is a great article particularly because it's encouraging mothers to stick with breastfeeding if that is what they want to do!!

Just a thought that I had: maybe we should change our language about breastfeeding older children from "extended" to "full-term". It isn't abnormal breastfeeding up to and beyond two, it's normal and healthy for both mother and baby. Of course it's not practical for everyone, but if we change the way we talk about it, it might help new mothers feel more comfortable going with their heart and continuing to breastfeed their children.


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      MumKim
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | MumKim
Re: Extended breastfeeding
I like that wording. I shall have to remember it. Full term breastfeeding.


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           mcm
5.00 (Excellent) | December 2007 | mcm
Re: Extended breastfeeding
Yes I agree "extended breastfeeding" sounds like it is going on too long.
Thanks for the comments.
My youngest son has finished feeding now. He self weaned at 21 months. He is now 25 months and still knows what boobies are good for! 


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cassaustin
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | cassaustin
Re: Extended breastfeeding

Thank you MumKim for putting the link to this article up. I have been told by many people that i should not continue breastfeeding past 12 months, even thou i was breastfed myself til i was nearly 2... I have always thought i would do the same for my child, until all the advice you get points to 6-12 months. Thank you for this article, i will be doing whats best for me and Austin.

I was also co-sleeping with Austin up until about 2 weeks ago, we still have an afternoon nap together every day. I dont care what other people say about that. I love feeling him next to me, and i love even more when he wakes up next to me smiling. What is more beautiful than that?



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MumKim
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | MumKim
Re: Extended breastfeeding
Great article. Natalya is now 11 months old and still being breastfed on demand. We also co sleep and thanks to your articles and advice on cloth nappies that I read 12 months ago (when I planned on using disposables) we are using cloth nappies much of the time.


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nicholrhianon
5.00 (Excellent) | November 2007 | nicholrhianon
Re: Extended breastfeeding

I can totally empathsize with this article.

As a first time mother who has felt that co-sleeping with and nursing her 18 month old son is failing as a mother. I am truly happy to have found this article. I know I cannot feel ashamed that I am comforting my child and furthering our bond. I have enjoyed nursing thus far and plan on ending our nursing when he is emotionally prepared to pleasantly end our nursing relationship. Thank you.



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Flicka
5.00 (Excellent) | September 2007 | Flicka
Re: Extended breastfeeding
There could be benefits also beyond the age of 2.  There has been research done to show the benefits up to the age of 2, which means that breastfeeding to 2 is becoming more acceptable.  I believe that when there is research showing the benefits up to 3 years old, it will become more socially acceptable to feed to 3.  I doubt it will ever become the "norm" to breastfeed a child over the age of 6 months.  Between 3 and 6 months seems to be the social norm.  But it may become more acceptable.  5 stars from me!


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OzBinky
5.00 (Excellent) | February 2007 | OzBinky
Extended breastfeeding

Great article and thank you for writing this matey....

I'm going to admit that i was one of these people who would shake their head and think, why do this?

Reading this however has opened my eyes to why and also made me realise that because I didn't have a positive experience with breastfeeding it is hard for me to accept breastfeeding as such - let alone for his long....I do get it a little more now, so thank you...

Artilce works for me!!

Cheers

Lavinia



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Joeyjo
5.00 (Excellent) | February 2007 | Joeyjo
You're a kindred spirit!
LOL! I hid the fact that I was a co-sleeper for ages as well.... and I loved breastfeeding so much that I was making excuses to keep my second one on the boob for as long as possible. She was there for 19 months but it was really pressure from people around me that forced me to stop. I could have gone on until she was three, and so could she! Good article, thanks!


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Jillofalltrades
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2007 | Jillofalltrades
Extended Feeding

Thank you for dispelling the myth for all those mums out there who want to keep feeding.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting that closeness with your bubs.  Before we know it they have grown up so the longer we can spend with our special time the better ...... at least that's my opinion. LOL.

I would love to have kept feeding my little ones but they decided otherwise, however my girlfriend kept feeding her son until he was nearly 4.  She decided she had better stop because he was going to go to school.   She didn't think it would be appropriate if he tried to have a feed at drop off!!!!!    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.



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Izzy
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2007 | Izzy
absolutely
I think it's important to let others who are breastfeeding know that it gets easier. The first few months is tough because of the lack of sleep but as baby grows up, baby doesn't nurse as much anymore and it's so much better and much more convenient. At around 11 months my son was nursing 2x a day, so if he was willing, I was willing to have extended breastfeeding. But as it was, my son self-weaned at what about 12 months.


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PHOENIX
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2007 | PHOENIX
Love the shirt!!!!

Just had to say I love the shirt from the pic. I've always wanted to get one for my son. I have the ABA one that mums milk 4 me.

 



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Marlena
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2007 | Marlena
I totally agree
I breast fed until my son was over 17 months, and I am happy I did.   I had so many people telling me as was nuts and weird and that kinda made me angry.  It is amazing what breast milk actually does for your child.  I know two things that I will share.  When there is a cold going around you, your body produces something in your milk for your baby to help fight off this cold.  I found that when I stopped breast feeding him he got sick more.  Another thing is that when your baby is missing a vitamin in there system or has to much of something else your breast milk changes to meet there needs.  That is amazing I think.  I just watch on tv that people where saying the formula is just as good as breast milk but they did more tests and breast is still best.  Now I know some babies can have breast milk or mothers may find it difficult to breast feed, I totally understand that.  Really great advice  thanks for sharing.


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jenlemen
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2007 | jenlemen
i agree
i never intended to nurse my kids into toddlerhood, but that's what ended up happening.  i'm glad now that i let them wean on their own.  we had a very positive nursing relationship and it was an unexpected help in dealing with many challenges parents face with toddlers.  i say good for you!


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NickysMumMum
5.00 (Excellent) | January 2007 | NickysMumMum
Breastfeeding older bubs
Thankyou so much! It's great to know that there are actually other mums like me. I want to feed Nicholaus as long as he wants it or until he's at least 2. He's been biting me a bit lately, I discussed this in yesterday's blog. You're right, you develop confidence over time, I know it's been a journey in confidence building for me too. I'm still unsure of myself but am getting better. Thanks for this advice. Hayley xx


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