? for Mommies who are nursing beyond 1 year

[jacksonsmommy]

My closest friends already ask me "how long are you gonna nurse that baby?" When I tell them that the recomendation is at LEAST 1 yr they seem shocked. I fully plan to nurse my LO until he is ready to wean. How do y'all answer the ?'s friends/family ask about you decision to continue to nurse?

[Switch]

I don't post much, but I did nurse until my DD self weaned at just short of two. I have actually been at bfdc since July of 2005. :)
I always just relayed all the reasons there are to nurse past one year. I always focused on the immunities because my daughter was so healthy-never had an ear infection, rarely had colds, etc. People can really relate to that. There are so many other reasons though.

Or there is the "It's none of your business." answer. LOL

[Switch]

Hmmm, your post is still registering at 0 replies. ?

[madelsmama]

Maybe they're just shocked b/c they were unaware of the recommendation. I would ask the why that surprises them and go from there.

For those that ask, I tell them that the WHO and other major medical organizations recommend two years of breastfeeding. I tell them that instead of giving her cow-milk after age 1, she gets species-specific milk. I say she can nurse until she decides that she's ready to wean. If it seems to be appropriate, I mention the fact that the longer a woman breastfeeds, the lower her risk for breast and other cancers.

I really don't care what their replies are. The evidence to support breastfeeding for a year and beyond is ample. What I'm doing is in the best interest of my child, and that's all that matters to me.

[USAFeyez06]

First off... good for you for wanting to nurse so long!

I get the same question quite frequently and my daughter is 14 months old and still nursing. When asked, I usually say "until she is ready to stop." I do also point out that she had multiple food allergies (and bfing was amazing for that), how I love the immunities (only one cold, which was very mild, so far - fingers crossed), and how it's MAGIC at night (always gets her back to sleep quickly and quietly and is the best comfort ever)!

However, do remember that this really is none of their business. I've always thought it was a wierd question... what do they care? What does it mean to them? Honestly, I think some are jealous (since I usually get the questions from formula feeding mommies).

Here's something interesting for you... I was so sick of that very same question that I bought several shirts for myself and my daughter. On the airplane I wore a shirt that read "My boobies, my breastmilk, my business... and don't ask me when I'm gonna wean." My daughter wore a shirt that said "Don't be a weaner, breastfeeding is for toddlers, too!" I did get looks and even a couple quick convo's... but nothing negative. Kept "those" people away! It even caught the eye of a mother who bf her son until he was 3 and I really enjoyed talking to her!

So... what I'm trying to say is: answer them if you want to, but really it's true. Your boobie, your milk, and your business!:hugegrin:

[Shuwee]

Don't fret! I've still nursing my baby at 9 months old. I plan on allowing my baby girl to "self wean". I hear that they begin to detach themselves around two years old.

Your friends may feel shocked and what-not, but you'll (and especially your baby) will be the ones who come out winning. :)

You'll have less sleepless nights worrying about your child being sick. And the greatest gift of all is knowing that even in adulthood, the immunitites carry on! I'm sure you know all of this already.

You are not unusual. People shouldn't be shocked. You are loving and fabulous. Let them be shocked. You are SUCH a dedicated mommy. I'm in my 9 month and I know what it's like.

Kudos to you.

[maksmom]

I've always told people, "until we are done." It really is noone's business, but yours. I have been lucky though, and never really had anyone give me a hard time about my extended nursing, just the occassional, "your still nursing?!?" to which I reply "Oh, of course!"

[Brianna]

I got that question alot when Rylan was between 12 and 18 months. After 18 months most people either assumed I had weaned him or that I was a lost cause. I've recently started getting the question again since I am due to have another baby in February. If the person seems truly interested I may answer a few questions, if the person seems condescending I just ignore them. For the most part I just act shocked when someone suggests weaning. It's easier for me to act like nursing a toddler is the normal and what I expected to do all along.

[mommyof2sons]

My little guy is still nursing at 17 months. My family knows that I am still nursing and also my close friends. I plan to let him self wean. If anyone does ask, I just say I am nursing until he is ready to stop :hugegrin:

[Shaunsmom]

My closest friends already ask me "how long are you gonna nurse that baby?" When I tell them that the recomendation is at LEAST 1 yr they seem shocked. I fully plan to nurse my LO until he is ready to wean. How do y'all answer the ?'s friends/family ask about you decision to continue to nurse?

I just tell them that we'll stop nursing whenever she is ready:) For the nosy ones, I do say "my baby, my boobs, our business"...that usually hushes them up.

For the ones that really don't know anything about bfing, I'll let them know the guidelines of how long bfing is recommended.

[Jacksmommy]

I say I'll nurse him until he's ready to wean on his own. He'll be 4 in February. I don't get the question much anymore.