When do you stop demand/request feeding?

[skeetaboat]

If you have no problem with it, what you're doing is totally fine and it's really the most natural thing. One of the greatest benefits of extended BFing is the ability to easily soothe a busy or upset toddler. If it's right for you, it's right.

You mentioned weaning, but it sounds more like circumstances and other people are pushing for it rather than you yourself... do you want to wean her or is it more because of outside pressures?

If you do want to wean, a busy weekend in a different environment might be useful for distracting her from feeding, but being in a strange environment might also increase her need for comfort & connection with you.. I guess it just depends on the situation and her temperament.

My advice would be to follow her lead. Don't try to wean her in that (already stressful, it sounds) environment if she is not ready, it'll just stress you both right out and it won't work.

As for dealing with other ppl's ignorant and unhelpful anti-breastfeeding comments, I think the best way to deal with it is to feed loud and proud, and if anyone comments, ask them what research they've been reading that contradicts the World Health Recommendation to breastfeed until AT LEAST 2 years of age? or 'breastfeeding works great for us, why would I stop now??' or 'you really should have a look at the benefits of extended breastfeeding' or 'I can understand that you're ready for me to stop, but Jazz isn't, so her vote outweighs yours, sorry!' or 'it's very unhelpful when other people try to involve themselves in our breastfeeding relationship'. Or just say nothing and smile. Say whatever you feel you would like to say, but don't let them shame you. Be like rubber and let their ignorant comments bounce right off and fall to the ground; don't let them stick.

As others have said, she's at an age where she'll just cope without booby while you're at work, so you don't need to worry about that.

ETA: At about 16 months I decided that I wanted to start weaning, but I had a reluctant weaner on my hands. He was still feeding anywhere between 10 - 16 times per day & got very upset with my weaning efforts.. distractions, delays, reducing time, more cuddles, keeping busy, etc etc didn't work for us. He coped just fine when he was spending the day with his Nan or Grandma though. After about 4 or 5 months I fell pregnant but had made very little progress with weaning and was tired and frustrated with his booby demands every 45 mins or so. So I enlisted support and had him minded monday - friday from 10am - 4pm for 3 weeks to get him out of the habit & break the routine. It worked a treat and he went down to about 3 feeds a day plus 1-2 at night. We nightweaned about a month later (he was about 22 months old by then). The last few feeds gradually dropped off after that. I would get out of bed before the early morning feed and he started going to sleep without boob.. at this point the weaning tactics worked much better (distractions, delaying, keeping busy, etc) until he just stopped asking.