🤱🏻 Breastfeeding/Pumping Mamas 🍼

I’m curious how long other mamas are going to breastfeed! I feel like I’m the only one still nursing their baby beyond a year old. All the women in my family formula fed their babies when they were younger, so they think I should have stopped by now. I plan to keep breastfeeding until all her teeth are fully in. Because at that point, she can chew all the foods she needs to. At that time, I will switch to exclusively pumping and give her breastmilk in a sippy cup. (She hates bottles). I am going to give her breastmilk until she is 3-4 years old. How long are you going to breastfeed/pump for your baby?

3 Likes

I try to make it to a year each time. I set little goals for myself and once I reach that I extend it each time so I don’t feel so overwhelmed when I say I want to make it to a year. It feels like an accomplishment when I meet that goal and surpass it. You are always going to have people tell you that they have teeth now you should be giving formula or pumping so they don’t bite you and I have also heard they are close to a year old now you need to start weaning how long are you going to do that. People who don’t do it don’t understand and are the quickest to pass judgment but don’t let it bother you! You will know when it is time for you to be done and when you feel comfortable stopping.

2 Likes

My goal is a year if we make it past that I will be so excited!!! My son is hitting me right now at 7 months we are trying to stop it though! Those teeth HURT.

2 Likes

Why is it that all the folks without any children are so quick to judge how long we breastfeed I am 7 m pp and the amount of folks asking me how long I’m going to breastfeed and if I say as long as possible they always say “oh not like three years right because that’s just super weird”

It’s baffles me honestly

2 Likes

Me too everyone always has an opinion and most of the time it is the ones who don’t have kids or the older people

2 Likes

I am always like "what an odd thing to say "

2 Likes

I know right

2 Likes

I’ve definitely heard the “when they have teeth it’s time to switch to a bottle” more than once because they think the baby will bite. While she has bitten me a few times, it’s pretty rare and usually not hard enough to do damage…just scares me a little lol. I feel so pressured sometimes like I’m wrong for continuing to breastfeed. Honestly, I don’t want to stop anytime soon. My husband just thinks it would be weird to go beyond 2 years old. One way or another, I’m making sure she gets breastmilk for a few years. When I really stop and think about it, if I just keep nursing for longer, what’s he gonna do about it? Pull her off my breast? I think not! :joy:

2 Likes

That’s a great goal! I’ve been meaning to ask if you have had any luck getting him to stop biting you??

1 Like

I know right?! Like when they ask if I’m going to follow them to school when they get older to breastfeed them. My response is of course I am! I’ll be sitting right next to them in class in case they get hungry! :joy: They breastfeed for so much longer in other countries.

1 Like

I felt the pressure with my first but ultimately I knew what was best for her and ignored what every one else said. It’s hard to do but you know what’s best

2 Likes

I’m glad you ignored them! I need to do the same. What are your thoughts on letting the baby decide when to wean off the breast?

2 Likes

That’s what I did but we slowly dropped a feeding at a time until they weaned and when I pumped I mixed cows milk and breastmilk in a sippy cup until they got used to it and until their tummies adjusted to it.

2 Likes

That’s a smart idea to mix the cows milk! That makes so much sense.

1 Like

It was also an adjustment for them to change from warm milk to cold milk just a heads up :joy:

2 Likes

I’ve actually given my daughter cold breastmilk in a straw sippy cup because she wouldnt drink from a warm bottle of breastmilk. She seemed to really like it. I was so surprised! Maybe she liked the cooling sensation on her gums?

I have always given mine cold or warm whichever way I had it and they have liked it because my sister had trouble with hers transitioning to cold milk. In the summer I would give it to them cold when I had some pumped because it’s so hot out

2 Likes

I’m taking notes from both of you!! This is good information to know!!! I didn’t even think of doing cold milk but it’s getting so hot I bet after some adjustments my son will like this

2 Likes

I’ve heard of babies having a hard time transitioning to cold drinks. My bottle warmer is horrible, so I decided to try giving it to her straight from the fridge one day, and she ended up liking it. She definitely enjoys it cold more when the weather is hot

1 Like

Mine like it :smiley: