Too long to be feeding?

[Mummato2]

So when I had DD, my best friend also had a baby one week prior.

We set a goal together to be BF'ing til 3 months - that has come and we have both acheived our goal. Next mark is 6 months.

We were talking about it yesterday and the comment came from my best friend "I definitely will stop after 6 months because I think they are just getting too old for boob past then"

Now I have a confession, I always thought extended breastfeeding was out of the norm - until I joined BB and now I'd love to go for as long as DD will let me (years if that's the case)......her comment made me a bit angry - 6 months is just a tiny bub - but got me thinking. How much grief will I get for extended feeding? How old is too old?

[Mummato2]

I just saw lilima's post - wow - so it seems I'm not the only one LOL

[onthefly]

Yeah, I used to think 6 months too for some reason. They still need milk though so it's a bit illogical really. Perhaps she'll feel differently with time
Personally I think 'extended' breastfeeding is like 2+ years now

[Miss H]

I never wanted to go past 12 months but I am still feeding at 17 months. I think it depends on the person but most people who have not had babies or have not BF will think anything over 6 months is abnormal. Once they hit 12 months you will only really feed in the morning and at night as they have alot of other things during the day so you will not have to feed when you are out and about. Unless you want to of course!

[HotI]

I reckon it's wierd to choose to stop breastfeeding only to replace it with formula. As kids aren't supposed to have cows milk until 12 months, then that seems like a good minimum to aim for.

[Mummato2]

I agree with you girls. I'd like to think 12 months and maybe afterwards for morning and night drinks. I am LOVING feeding - I never thought I would, in fact after 2 weeks with my DS I put him on formula but I figure kids need milk and if I'm still making it - why wouldn't it make sense for them to get it from me?

[Snacks]

She may very well think differently when her bub is 6 months old.
If she has an issue with feeding beyond 6 months that's her issue, not yours.

[Lily Dust]

I agree, before my DD arrived I was definately 3 months, then at 3 months it was like 'oh, shes so tiny still' so I decided 6 months but then at 6 months 'oh, shes such a bubba still' and now we are at 8 months and I have given up caring when we feed till. I still have BFing issues but she's happy and IMO thats the important thing. Although the raised eyebrows and the constant 'are you STILL feeding her' are enough to make you wanna punch someone

I think you are doing a great job! Doing what nature intended for you and your little one.

[Dido]

My husband and some family think I have already breastfed bubs for too long, I have always said that I was only going to b/f for 4 months - however we are at 8.5 months now and to be honest i will let baby self wean when she is ready...
I get comments from people all the time 'oh she's still on the breast'... now i just say 'YEP i'm breastfeeding till baby is 4' and that shuts them up quickly!
IMO breastfeeding has nothing to do with anyone else but you , your baby and also your partner - other than that its pretty much non of their business as it does not affect their life in any way at all...
Go as long as you like!