'If they can ask for it, it's time to stop'.

[mummajj]

i wouldnt worry about it hun. no way is a one yr old too old for booby!

my philosophy has (and always will be), "when they can remember it,its time to stop".even if we both are enjoying breastfeeding at the time. i would be traumatised if i actually remembered suckling my mothers boob. i wouldnt want my child to remember suckling my boob. imagine a poor teenage boy remembering that!! LOL.
just my opinion,no offense to anyone breastfeeding older children.

[hj1981]

I personally have an age in mind where i think Hmmm still breastfeeding! really?! BUT i also believe each to their own! i would never make a comment to someone nor would i make them feel uncomfortable about doing so!

And i agree whole heartedly with a previous comment that they ask for it from birth, so i don't think telling someone they should stop because the baby/toddle/child can "ask for it

and mummajj has a good valid point i believe in saying "when they can remember it,its time to stop", because that seriously can not be doing them any good mentally!

But hey i'm no expert, i have my own thoughts and beliefs on this subject and no one is right or wrong. It personal!

Just do what ever you think is right! you are after all the MUM!

[Feijoa Mum]

Lady P is 13 months now and has started to ask for "boo boo"
I think its cute and I love that she is communicating with me.

You are always going to get the "haters" so if your happy and she is happy then buggar everyone else, they are your boobs afterall!

[onthefly]

How silly. They ask for it from birth
You know I've only been asked once whether I was still feeding DS (in 'that' tone of voice) and unfortunately I had to say no, as he'd weaned recently.
How anyone can draw a definite line in the sand I don't understand - i mean, foryourself, maybe, but for some other child?

[MummaSue]

It's so funny isn't it? My mother told me the other day that DD was "too big to be breast fed".

Anyway, yeah, I've responded with "she's been asking for it since she was born, it's just that she can properly communicate with me now" - by pulling my shirt down no matter where we are.

I actually never really thought I'd be here, breast feeding a one year old. I thought that DD may have slowly weaned herself but she's still going as strong as ever and I'm glad.

What other people say or do is more a reflection on THEM rather than anything you're doing. Breast feeding older babies seems to evoke some uncomfortable feelings in others, but as long as you and your DD are happy and comfortable then keep up the good work! Let those people own their own feelings, don't let them project it onto you.

(I'm still trying this out - it's going well.)

[~ Mylitta ~]

You are doing a wonderful job! My son is almost 2 and he is still breastfeeding even though I have a 3 month old. I was constantly asked during my pregnancy when I was going to wean him, and was TOLD (can you believe that?!) that I would have to stop breastfeeding my son while I was pregnant by two doctors! Luckily I have an amazing supportive husband and the determination to keep going, and my beautiful son persevered even when my milk supply dropped dramatically. He now loves the milk more than even since the newborn breastmilk came in, lol.

I have two responses when people ask when I'm going to wean the babies. If the person asks with genuine curiosity (not disdain) I just honestly tell them that I will keep breastfeeding them until they are ready to wean themselves, and that I imagine that it will probably occur between 2-4 years of age. If someone asks with an attitude I don't like, I sarcastically reply with "until they move out of home, and maybe not even then...".

As for feeding in public... I once fed my son in the middle of a target store, lol! When a baby is hungry there is no saying no, hehehe. But like some of the other girls have mentioned, as they get older the amount the feed becomes less and most of the feeds will be at home. I think that's one reason that you rarely see a toddler breastfeeding in public. The babies get old enough that if they ask for milk while you are out and about you are able to let them know that they can have some when they get home. Having said that though, if my son really really wanted to feed while out, I would let him. I wouldn't let him tandem feed in public though, not because I would worry about what people think, but more because he's such a wriggle monkey at the breast these days that it would be a logistical nightmare to keep them both feeding lol!


EDIT: I wanted to also add that I'm glad that my son uses the words "mama milk" when he wants to be breastfed. Although I fully support breastfeeding anytime, and anywhere, I have to admit I might get embarrassed if he was yelling for "booby" in public, hehehe.

[mummajj]

Mylitta, does your older child sometimes feed at the same time as ur baby?? i think that would be great. i dont bf anymore but i would always look at the milk leaking (and occasionally spraying) out of the other one and think 'what a waste *sigh*' LOL

[~ Mylitta ~]

mummajj, yes they sometimes feed together It's a really beautiful experience. My son usually wants a feed after he gets up from his nap and sees my daughter breastfeeding, so if he demands it I find it easier to let them both feed together than to deal with a lovely toddler tanty lol. I just have to be careful he doesn't kick my daughter in the head because he wriggles so much and ends up with his feet up over his own head!

[willow5]

As for feeding in public... I once fed my son in the middle of a target store, lol! When a baby is hungry there is no saying no, hehehe.

I did that in Target last week. He was in the ergo, I swung him round from back to front it was the first time I'd sucessfully BF in the ergo (only took 15 months) I'm not particularly shy, but I am only about 5'2 which means everyone is taller than me and every now and then DS would pull off for a chat or to have a look at something leaving my boob and nipple out there saying "HEY THERE!!" to anyone walking past me. I think it's time to learn a little more BF ettiquette

[feeb]

You are doing a wonderful job! My son is almost 2 and he is still breastfeeding even though I have a 3 month old. I was constantly asked during my pregnancy when I was going to wean him, and was TOLD (can you believe that?!) that I would have to stop breastfeeding my son while I was pregnant by two doctors! Luckily I have an amazing supportive husband and the determination to keep going, and my beautiful son persevered even when my milk supply dropped dramatically. He now loves the milk more than even since the newborn breastmilk came in, lol.

I have two responses when people ask when I'm going to wean the babies. If the person asks with genuine curiosity (not disdain) I just honestly tell them that I will keep breastfeeding them until they are ready to wean themselves, and that I imagine that it will probably occur between 2-4 years of age. If someone asks with an attitude I don't like, I sarcastically reply with "until they move out of home, and maybe not even then...".

As for feeding in public... I once fed my son in the middle of a target store, lol! When a baby is hungry there is no saying no, hehehe. But like some of the other girls have mentioned, as they get older the amount the feed becomes less and most of the feeds will be at home. I think that's one reason that you rarely see a toddler breastfeeding in public. The babies get old enough that if they ask for milk while you are out and about you are able to let them know that they can have some when they get home. Having said that though, if my son really really wanted to feed while out, I would let him. I wouldn't let him tandem feed in public though, not because I would worry about what people think, but more because he's such a wriggle monkey at the breast these days that it would be a logistical nightmare to keep them both feeding lol!


EDIT: I wanted to also add that I'm glad that my son uses the words "mama milk" when he wants to be breastfed. Although I fully support breastfeeding anytime, and anywhere, I have to admit I might get embarrassed if he was yelling for "booby" in public, hehehe.

Haha yes is hard when we are near others and DS1 says my booby and trys to lift my top!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love when I feed them together, which is not that often anymore as both wriggle and move so much it is hard.

[~ Mylitta ~]

My husband was so proud of me feeding both kidlets that I have a lovely photo of me breastfeeding them together ♥

[Heaven]

I find it so strange that people think like that. Like the others have said, at any age they are able to ask for a feed. I am not giving up breastfeeding my DD's until they are ready. Right now it's so convenient for me! A quick end to tears, instant sleep inducer, beautiful bonding time, and my DD1 has only had one mild illness in her whole life so far.

I was wondering what people were thinking a couple of days ago when I was in a shop and DD1 (2yrs) fell over and hurt herself. I picked her up for a cuddle and she kept saying 'Need booby Mummy, make me feel better, need booby pleeeeeaaaaase Mummy' rofl.