When to wean?

[Briannabear]

Just a question for the breastfeeding mums out there............
When is a fairly normal time to wean your baby off the breast?

I seem to get people asking me all the time now... "Are you STILL breastfeeding her?!". I just hold my head high and say "Yes isnt it wonderful!". I tend not to listen to them, but Im just curious as to know what is 'the norm' - if there is such a thing!

Brianna is 6 months now and still has 5 full breastfeeds a day. She also has some solids now too. (Farex and steamed pureed veges).
She seems to go really well with this at the moment.

Ive been blessed enough to be able to breastfeed with no major issues (thanks to some great advice!!). Im extreemly comfortable with it, and Bri is a very happy healthy bubba. :D

Im just curious to know when you all weaned your babies.

I have a wedding to go to in October and my hubby and I were just talking about it last night which made me think of this. (I know its a while away, but hey!).
She'll be 9 months by then. How many feeds a day is pretty normal at that age?

How much does substituting a bottle feed for a breastfeed affect your milk supply? (I cant seem to be able to express really well :o ).

To this point she hasnt had to take a bottle for a feed so Im unsure about the whole process. We try to get her to take a bit of water in a bottle sometimes - she seems to be getting better at it!

Any opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers! :)

[Kamaikia]

I don't think there is a right age to stop breastfeeding, if you and your child are both happy and healthy go on for as long as you like. My 8 month old is bottlefed but a friends baby (who is also 8 months) is still having up to 6 or 7 feeds a day as well as heaps of solids. Every baby is different in there feeds, you know better than anyone else about what to do with your own child. And as far and starting with the occasional bottle thats fine as long as you realise that once the baby gets a taste for it she may want to wean herself. I suggest you don't try this until you are ready to go to the bottle full time.

[2girls&1boy]

Hi Briannabear,

Grace is now 11 months and is still b/f. She is on 2 feeds a day - morning/evening. I have decided that I will be stopping b/feeding at 12months. Mind you I get people(mainly older& my parents) staring at me in disbelief sometimes that I still give her breastmilk.

Do what is right for you and your baby. I have heard that it doesn't take too long to wean them off so do it when you feel it is the right time.


All babies are different and some even decide they have had enough of the breast themselves. Just go with it I say.

Cheers
Paula

[Kassiasmum]

My dd is 16 months and I am still bfing her. Some days she still has 4-5 feeds a day and she eats solids all day. Just do what you are comfortable doing. My CHN told me that at 14 months their own immune system kicks in so if you are going to wean try to wait for then, but hey whatever suits you and your baby. I am letting dd let me know when she doesn't want it anymore.

Tracey

[Briannabear]

Thanks for your opinions guys!
I appreciate it! :)

[Milly]

Briannabear: I seem to get people asking me all the time now... "Are you STILL breastfeeding her?!". I just hold my head high and say "Yes isnt it wonderful!". I tend not to listen to them, but Im just curious as to know what is 'the norm' - if there is such a thing!

Goodness people are saying that to you and your baby is only 6 months old. They have a lot to learn :) Great that you hold your head up high!

The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding for up to two years and it is definetly recommened that you breatsfeed your baby until 12 months (or give bubs formula if you don't).

Really, it is up to you when you wean, but your weaning should not be based on other's ignorant opinions like "are you still breatfeeding her?". You wean when you and or your bubs want to. For most breastfeeders I know in my circle it was 10-12 months and I do know others who are extended breastfeeding and went past that. Many of my friends and family breastfed, so putting the kid onto formula bottles at a certain age is not a common pratice in my circle (except my SIL who wants to do that at 3 months, but up to her. Personally I think it would be a hassle if b/f is easy for her. She always asked me about bottles and thought that weaning means that you go to bottles. But that is what many of her friends did, so I supose that is where she got that idea from). But her choice.

For us, the thought of going from the convenience of breastfeeding to bottles would be a real hasssle. Also, why wean from the breast to a bottle, you just have to wean again. My daughter has never gone onto bottles at all. Straight from breast to cup and breastfed past 12 months. So easy why bother with bottles at all. You really don't have put the kid on a bottle at a certain age. There's no rule to say that you should.

I did not have any comments from family except one friend who said when I mentioned how my daughter was approaching 12 months "Oh, you really should wean her". This coming from a girl who has never been around children at all, so I took her comment with a grain of salt.

So, in my circle 10-12 months plus (if not longer) was common weaning time.

[WeThree]

if you are not having any trouble breastfeeding then there is no reason to wean at all, babies should be breastfed till 12 mths and then if you want to wean them after that they can go onto a sippy cup no need to ever worry about formula, or you can continue to breastfeed to 2 yrs or more if you want too. alot of babies actually wean themselves, cooper refused the boob from 9 mths and i felt so sad, i wasnt ready! dont listen to those people around, feel confident and proud knowing that you are doing the best thing for your baby, and try and surround yourself with like minded people, happy breastfeeding! :)

[AM]

I have a 16 month old, and he is still feeding like there's no tomorrow!
I am completely commited to child led weaning, so I am in no hurry for him to stop.
I am actually hoping he will hang in there through my pregnancy - I'm 10 weeks - so I can tandem feed.
The CHN who told you that a childs immune system kicks in at 14 months is a little mis-informed.
It is more like 5 or 6 years old until the immune system is fully functioning.
Check out this link.

http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detwean.html

She specifically speaks about immune system maturation in point 6.

angie

[mimi]

Hi All
I am still breastfeeding my 2yr 4mth old to sleep every day - so that can be anywhere from one to three feeds in a 24 hr period. And I know I am 'VERY ODD' by Australian standards :eek: to be doing so!

BUT it is recommended by the WHO and by the Royal Australian College of GPs "... that breastfeeding continue for up to two years and beyond."
And the NHMRC of Australia says that babies should be breastfed until 12 months, and beyond if so desired, as the benefits of bf do continue. WHO says "Breastmilk can continue to provide up to one-third of an infant’s nutrients during the second year of life."

At nine months DD was also refusing all solids - did so until 11 months - so I don't think my recall of what she was doing then will be of any use to you Becca! but I am with the others in the suggestion that you continue to hold your head up high and breastfeed for as long as you and Brianna wish to!

[draught]

Hi
I agree with all the other threads here. I fed DD1 until she was 14 months - at 11 months she was still on 5 - 6 feeds a day, then I finally got her to drink water and cow's milk from a cup so gradually dropped her back to three feeds a day, then down to two. I weaned her at the 14 month mark as I was pregnant, working, tired and needed all my energy for me! But it was not traumatic - and because it had been so gradual she was ready for it too. I am still b'feeding DD2 who is 8 months. I am back at work part time but she (to my surprise) is taking EBM from a bottle (it is easier to express when you are expressing at a time she would normally be feeding), so we are still on 5 - 6 feeds a day if you count the ones in the middle of the night (but that is another story!!)

As for going to a wedding - I was talking to a friend about this the other day - one night or day away does not mean you need to wean. And you don't need to use formula - if you express a little at a time and freeze it you can gradually build up a couple of bottles in the freezer (you can add to already frozen milk), and if you are down to two or three feeds a day by then, she may only be missing one anyway, and with solids and some expressed milk, which she might even drink from a cup, she will be fine.

[Mattiesmum]

Are yes that "loaded" question "you're still breastfeeding?" with astonished faces!
I even get it from my own Mother!!!! Matties 10 months old and has solids and 5-7 b/f over 24 hours. I work Sundays however and his Dad gives him a bottle of formula just on those days. We started that at about 6 months. I did express originally but just found it too hard and I find 1-2 bottles of formula a week ( never any more though) doesn't interfere with my milk supply at all. ( The Sunday evening feed is a biggie with all that saved up milk!) Sooo if you want to leave your baby with somebody so you can go to the wedding perhaps just start 1-2 bottles a week just to get them used to the whole concept, maybe Dad could do it? Be patient at first just 30-60 ml to start with Booby to follow. I find the "Nuk" teats suited a "booby" baby! At 6 months your milk supply is well established and so is your feeding relationship so I'm sure it won't effect anything as long as it's not everyday. I intend to breastfeed as long as Matt wants it whether that is for 1or 2 years or longer! Hope this helps, it will give you a little bit of freedom but still allows you to still breastfeed your beautiful bub.
Mattiesmum :)

[stilldreaming]

I agree with the other posts that you should bf for as long as you can! I stopped at 9 months and really wasn't ready but Cooper certainly was! I work for about 10 hours a week and had been expressing for a month or two. He wanted the bottle not me and would totally freak out when I tried to attach him, the only time he would have a feed was when he just woke up in the mornings. I decided to make it easier for everyone and call it quits..........very sad. :(
So enjoy feeding your baby for as long as you can.

[Briannabear]

Thankyou All!
I enjoy breastfeeding, and Im not ready to give that up yet - so I'll stick to my guns! (why fix it if it aint broke!)
Cheers! :)

[mattias'mom]

My son is almost 6 months old and I am still breastfeeding. I am going to breastfeed until at least 6 months as that is when babies stop getting antibodies from the mother. But I don't think you should go on other peoples opinions as when to stop breastfeeding your little one. Just go on your instinct. I find that your baby will tell you when he/she is ready to wean. My son loves the bottle and during the day I find that he hates to lay down to feed so sometimes I will give him a bottle instead of the boob.
Good luck! :D

[AM]

My son is almost 6 months old and I am still breastfeeding. I am going to breastfeed until at least 6 months as that is when babies stop getting antibodies from the mother.

I would just like to point out that it is completely false that babies stop getting antibodies from mothers milk at 6 months.
They continue to recieve them for as long as they are feeding.

Angie

[mummy_to_4]

Id say if you are comfortable to continue bf then keep going. Has Angie said they keep getting antibodies from mums milk whilst they are still feeding not when they turn 6 months. I think its such a beautiful thing to see a mother feeding her baby (or older baby/child) - its not something you see often these days.

P.S Angie are you from NP - your user name looks familiar??

[AM]

guilty as charged!

Angie

[Briannabear]

My in-laws were over on the weekend and my mother-in-law (who usually is so supportive and nice) asked me when I was planning on weaning my DD off the breast - again. ("Because she is 6 months old now" - she said). She said "You arent planning on BF past 9 months are you?". She believes that the babies who are BF past 9 months turn into sooky babies. Is that true? I never thought that.

To make it worse, later on that night we saw my sister-in-law who was horrified to see I was still breastfeeding and couldnt understand that I wont be able to drink at her 30th b'day in a months time. She figured that Id have my DD fully weaned by then. (she doesnt have any children so I try not to get too upset with her - she just doesnt understand)

I tried to explain to them my reasons for continuing, but it was falling on deaf ears. I shouldnt have to explain myself - they should accept that Im doing what I feel is best for my DD. Ive been blessed enough to be able to breastfeed with no major problems (and I do see that as a blessing!), so if we can continue to BF for a bit longer we will do that. I dont want to be breastfeeding forever - but it works for us at the moment, so why stuff that up!?!

Anyway, thats my gripe for the day....... :)

[mimi]

... my mother-in-law (who usually is so supportive and nice) asked me when I was planning on weaning my DD off the breast - again. ("Because she is 6 months old now" - she said). She said "You arent planning on BF past 9 months are you?". She believes that the babies who are BF past 9 months turn into sooky babies. Is that true? I never thought that.
... I dont want to be breastfeeding forever - but it works for us at the moment, so why stuff that up!?!
Grrrrrrrrrrrr! too! :mad:

What about my sister - who is breastfeeding her 9 mth old and has said that she will continue as long as both are still OK with it -when she mentioned to her friend that I was still BF my 2 yr old, the friend says, "OMG NO? In my opinion, women who do it for that long are just doing it for themselves, they are just being selfish!" :confused:

She ran into this friend in the shops the other day and the first thing she was asked was, "SO. Have you learned to leave her in her cot to cry?" What the???????????

Now if I had said to [or about] this 'friend' of my sisters, that I thought that her formula feeding her daughter was 'just being selfish' I would have been howled down by everyone in earshot, for being cruel, hurtful and for showing such a lack of understanding!!! but those who are doing the VERY best thing for their bubs are easy targets for anyone to make these ridiculous accusations!!!!!! :mad:

NO IT DOES NOT MAKE THEM SOOKY!! AND IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT WE BREASTFEED UP UNTIL AT LEAST 2.5 YEARS FOR VERY GOOD REASONS!!!!

Keep up the good work, Becca, and don't listen to the nonsense from people who haven't got a clue!!!!

[Briannabear]

Thankyou for the reassurance Mimi!!
Some people are so frustrating!!

[sopolicha]

If you enjoy feeding your daughter, which obviously you do, keep it up as long as you like. You should never have to explain to people, especially family members, why you are breastfeeding. I personally do not think it is any of your mother in laws' business. If you were harming your child in some way then she can but in, but not about how you choose to feed your child. (Sorry, I have a thing about mothers'-in-law.)

Why on earth would breastfeeding a baby make it sooky? Would that mean also that you don't cuddle them as much as they get older? She just might be feeling left out!!


P.S. If my mother in law commented on the length of time I breastfed one of my children for, I would double it just out of spite. :p

[Briannabear]

Its a hard one - I dont want to rock the boat if you know what I mean. Up until that point she has always been wonderful. She was unable to breastfeed her 6 children (not through a lack of trying - she gave it her best) due to medical reasons. So I dont want to say anything that might offend her. Im not sure where she's even getting that statement from. :mad:
The hardest thing is that my milk supply isnt what it used to be - Im really persisting BF my DD. Im quite tired because its starting to wear me out. Dont get me wrong - I thoroughly enjoy BF - Its a special time for my DD and I! Stupid statements like hers are just getting to me at the moment. :o

Im not going to let her or anyone else change my mind on breastfeeding my DD. I need to keep reassuring myself that I am Brianna's mum - not them - therefore I make educated (and instinctial -sp?) decisions based on what I feel is right for her.

This is the wonderful thing about this forum - You are all such great support!! Thankyou! :)

[mimi]

The hardest thing is that my milk supply isnt what it used to be - Im really persisting BF my DD. Im quite tired because its starting to wear me out.
Don't worry about your supply, Becca! If you have successfully BF to this point, there is no reason it shouldn't continue without a hitch!! Do you think your DD may be going through a growth spurt at the moment [as they seem to do around 6 months]? At around 6 months the milk production does seem to settle down a little, - not in bad way! - and bubs do start to be able to remove the milk from the breast in a hurry!!, which tends to make some feel they don't have an adequate milk supply ... anyway I am going on here, without even knowing what your 'story' is LOL so will stop!!

Just wanted to say, I am sure your milk supply is FINE!