[preciousgiftsmama]

Now that we have passed the 12 month breastfeeding goal, do any of you have any new goals on how long you will breastfeed?I had originally said I would breastfeed for 6 months, then 12 months, and I dont make any new goals now. He loves breastfeeding so much. I am hoping he eventually self-weans. Funny how things change

[Hollybear]

12 months was my original goal but she still loves to nurse too, I really want to let her self-wean, although I would like her to be finished by 2.

I think in my head I would like to get to 18 months and then maybe gradually start to wean? Who knows.

[Jule'sMomInOR]

Self-weaning is the goal. Juliana loves nursing so much I doubt it will happen before 2. She nurses more now than she did at 10 months. I am going to try to night wean around 18 months or whenever I feel that she's old enough to understand "we nurse when the sun is up."

I got my first extended nursing criticism yesterday. My DH was on the phone with his grandma (who we'll see in person in a little over a week) and he told her that Juliana was nursing. She was like "What- why is she still doing that? Why would anyone do that past a year?" I can tell vacation with the in-laws is going to be lots of fun.

[Lilly Bella]

Kenna still loves nursing too. She has cut way back though, right when she turned one she was nursing every 2 hours. Now she nurses around 4 am (this is new) when she gets up for the day at 630-7, before nap around 10ish, again around 2-4 and then before bed. Sometimes if we are out and about all day shell only nurse twice. I'm in no hurry to stop but I don't offer it any more (and done refuse) we hope to make it to 2 and see where it goes. We both love nursing but if one of us stops loving it then I know the nursing relationship will be over. Until then I love love the special time we have

[bundle2baby]

We're still nursing here and I don't see that changing any time soon. Sometimes I think I'd like to be done around age 2, but I can't see it happening unless he self-weans. We're starting to establish an understanding that when we're out in public he can't have "hungry" whenever he wants (he will grab at my shirt). I think I'd like to night wean around 18 months as well.

Mariah, my husband's grandma initially thought extended bf was strange and I think she used the word "gross" to describe her feelings about bf toddlers. I explained my reasons why I believe in bf/extended bf in a gentle way. She told me she did not bf her three children, so I understood why she would find it strange. I think unless/until you've personally experienced the bf/ebf relationship, it's hard to relate. You may have read this already, but here are some helpful responses to the criticism:

kellymom.com :: Handling criticism about breastfeeding

[Jule'sMomInOR]

Originally Posted by bundle2baby

Mariah, my husband's grandma initially thought extended bf was strange and I think she used the word "gross" to describe her feelings about bf toddlers. I explained my reasons why I believe in bf/extended bf in a gentle way. She told me she did not bf her three children, so I understood why she would find it strange. I think unless/until you've personally experienced the bf/ebf relationship, it's hard to relate. You may have read this already, but here are some helpful responses to the criticism:

kellymom.com :: Handling criticism about breastfeeding

I agree! When I was pregnant my neighbor came over for lunch with her 3 1/2 year old and proceeded to nurse her right there at the table. I was kind of grossed out and I remember saying to myself "I will NEVER nurse that long." Now I still doubt I'll nurse until 3 1/2, and I surely wouldn't do it at someone else's house at that age, but it's not completely out of the question. It definitely has changed my opinion of the BF relationship.

[Arei_720]

I'm just going with the flow over here. She was breastfeeding less, but now she's teething and feeding more.

[bundle2baby]

Originally Posted by Jule'sMomInOR

I agree! When I was pregnant my neighbor came over for lunch with her 3 1/2 year old and proceeded to nurse her right there at the table. I was kind of grossed out and I remember saying to myself "I will NEVER nurse that long." Now I still doubt I'll nurse until 3 1/2, and I surely wouldn't do it at someone else's house at that age, but it's not completely out of the question. It definitely has changed my opinion of the BF relationship.

This was how I felt as well, even after I tried nursing my daughter (I tried nursing her, but had a very difficult time as she was premature, lack of info/support, etc.). In fact, I don't think I was expecting to nurse this long in the beginning with Matthew. I just thought, I will be happy if I can make it to 6 months and the bf relationship just developed over time...KWIM? Now that we're here, I can't imagine it any other way! I guess it's like anything else, personal experience can change your opinions/views on the subject. I really think our culture has a lot to do with those views though.

[Jule'sMomInOR]

Originally Posted by bundle2baby

This was how I felt as well, even after I tried nursing my daughter (I tried nursing her, but had a very difficult time as she was premature, lack of info/support, etc.). In fact, I don't think I was expecting to nurse this long in the beginning with Matthew. I just thought, I will be happy if I can make it to 6 months and the bf relationship just developed over time...KWIM? Now that we're here, I can't imagine it any other way! I guess it's like anything else, personal experience can change your opinions/views on the subject. I really think our culture has a lot to do with those views though.

I live in Oregon where we have the highest BF rates of any state in the US. In the mom group I'm in, there are about 15 moms and all BF but 1. She was telling me how she feels like there is enormous peer pressure for her to breastfeed next time. Usually I think it is the opposite, so I took that as a good sign!

[dinamommy]

We're still BFing over here, but not all that much. Eli mostly likes to nurse to go to sleep. I'd say he only nurses about 3 or 4 times a day and hasn't nursed at night for the past two nights, so he may be night weaned....we'll see. I don't really have a goal. I'm thinking he might not go as long as Bella did, though. She was 25 months when she weaned. She was nursing a LOT more than he does at this age, though. Who knows?

[nevergivingup]

I didn't even know if I could breastfeed at first so my goals were 1 day at a time. After we got established my 1st goal was at least 6 months. After 6 months it was going really well and Aidyen loves his "milkies" so I'm not opposed to going to at least 3. But my next actual goal is 2. It all depends on if I get pregnant and he decides to wean although he loves it so much I don't see that happening. I too thought it was gross when I say a lady at the fair Breastfeeding her almost 3 year old. I just couldn't believe it! Things sure did change we will go until one of us decides it's time to stop

[Hollybear]

Originally Posted by Jule'sMomInOR

I live in Oregon where we have the highest BF rates of any state in the US. In the mom group I'm in, there are about 15 moms and all BF but 1. She was telling me how she feels like there is enormous peer pressure for her to breastfeed next time. Usually I think it is the opposite, so I took that as a good sign!

Yeah, all of my girlfriends nurse but one too! One of the first times we all went out to eat with the babies (Sophie was maybe 4 months old) it ended up being "lunch" for all the babies at about the same time, so we were all at the table with our nursing covers, she said she felt left out

(She had a breast reduction when she was younger and her milk ducts were cut)

[Ana32]

I'm planning to breastfeed Jon until he is 18 months old. He loves it and I enjoy breastfeeding time