Last Updated on 23 March 2023 by Colette
Breastfeeding beyond a year? It’s not something I have any experience of. I stopped breastfeeding at around eight months with both Ben and Chloe for a number of reasons.
With Ben he was just ready to stop, he had been having regular bottles of formula during the day from about 6 months and we were down to just night feeds anyway. If I remember rightly I was going to be out at bedtime for two nights in a row so it was just an easy way to end things. I was very sad during the last feed but he really wasn’t remotely bothered and that was that.
With Chloe things were a little more pressured as I was going back to work – now I know that in theory I should have been able to carry on feeding her but realistically I was going to be commuting over 80 miles a day and it was just going to be adding to an already stressful situation. Chloe had always been less keen on a bottle than Ben so it was hard work to get her to take it in the first place. Once we’d got her going we steadily swapped feeds over but it felt like we were moving too fast for her. I remember feeling guilty as I knew she loved her boob and really would have continued to breastfeed happily for a good while longer. Our impending wedding and the end of maternity leave just wouldn’t allow for it though and I was very sad when we finished our breastfeeding journey. (All the more so as I didn’t think I’d be having any more babies so wouldn’t be breastfeeding again.)
Amy is now 7.5 months old and there is not a cat in hells chance of her giving up her boob any time soon! She is resolutely refusing a bottle which can make life tricky and if I’m honest I’d quite happily stop feeding her in public now – she’s becoming increasingly nosy and inefficient with her feeding now so a bottle would be much simpler when we’re out and about. She gets so distracted when we’re out but does feed pretty efficiently during the night – when clearly I’d rather she was asleep! I keep wondering about trying to encourage a bottle of formula in the afternoon but the longer I leave it the less point there seems to be. She loves her boob, it’s free, it’s convenient (mostly) and it’s just what she needs so why force her to have formula just to make my life easier? As things stand I think I will end up feeding her till around a year as obviously she needs the nutrition from her milk!
Extended breastfeeding is an emotive topic – my own personal opinion as always been that if they can eat a butty and ask for boob then they don’t really need it any more – but I know that lots of people will disagree and I wouldn’t ever judge someone else’s decision to feed beyond a year . . . Your boobs, your baby, your decision.
Check out Nyomi’s post about How to stop breastfeeding a four year old
Every breastfeeding story is different – good on you for sharing!
I breastfed my little boy until he was 18 months old. He's now 21 months and I really miss the cuddles! I never get long, proper cuddles like that any more!
They will come back! My son loves to sit cuddled up on the sofa with me now. Boys give the best cuddles x
That it's biologically normal.
My daughter was such a fussy eater, breastfeeding her until 22 months reassured me she was getting enough nutrients.
I've never gotten past 4 months, our 3rd little one is now 3 months old so we're yet to see how long my milk supply lasts x
Not there yet but if that's what she needs we will continue feeding
I loved how natural it was after a year. We'd been feeding for so long, it was second nature and just… Easy. x
My toddler mainly feeds at bedtime now. I love that no matter how busy we are during the day we have that quiet time at the end of the day. Breastfeeding is a great comfort when my son is unwell or teething.
I don't actually know…..I'm due imminently (39 weeks today in fact!) Since I announced I was pregnant I've been talking about breast feeding and advocating it – it's the most natural thing in the world – women in biblical times were doing it for goodness sake. Following chatting to my mum and Grandma they both struggled so I'm not sure how long I'll last but I'd like to make sure that even if I have to supplement that I at least try to breastfeed in the first instance.
Fingers crossed for you Hannah! x x x
With my first (now 20yrs old) people were surprised I breastfed and it was really quite unusual to feed past 12 weeks. By 6 months I really was under pressure to stop and by 7 and half months he was happily on a bottle. Roll on 15+ years and baby 2…I fed her until she gave up at 14 months, mainly because she was dairy intolerant and it was easier all round for me to be dairy free (formula was horrid lol) I also worked part time but she managed with solids and a beaker during that time. Number 3 was boob mad, never had a bottle until I was over 6 months pregnant and struggling by which time she was 16months…she still pulls up my top to rest her head on a soft warm boob lol!! Now I have number 4 and she's a great feeder, she's approaching 7 months and never had a bottle but does gulp water from a beaker lol! I don't know when we'll stop…a whole new adventure lol!!
How strange it will feel for you when you finally do stop feeding!!
I love that mummy milk has the power to soothe bumps and bruises and to calm tantrums.
My bestie bf my godson until he was almost 3! As I only managed 2 weeks I find this incredible!
i havent had that experience yet! i read something today about the benefits to toddlers though!
I'll let you know – hope we make it!
I didn't breastfeed after 1 year, but hope to with my next all a learning curve
the health benefits
I don't know yet! I'm hoping it'll be third time lucky and I'll finally have my nice breastfeeding experience!!
I'm only 6 months in can't wait for the next 6 months. I love bonding with Darcy and knowing i'm giving her everything she needs x
Milky smiles from an independent toddler.
not reached it yet
Only breastfed up to 9 months