Posted by Gena in Baby, Breastfeeding, Life in a Fairytale, Parenting | 21 Comments
Why I choose to breastfeed my toddler and why it’s none of your business.
I have successfully breastfed three of my daughters until 17/18 months. My first two were breastfed until 3 months. I was happy when I started breastfeeding my third and successfully breastfed her so long. It was just what I wanted. After that, I was blessed to have easy breastfeeding relationships with the rest of my babies. 
Myles has officially hit 17 months and I am not even close to being finished breastfeeding. My goal is to get through the winter. My main reason is because he got so sick last year. He was constantly having breathing treatments. The only thing that kept him from being hospitalized was the fact that he was hydrated from breastfeeding! That meant something to both my husband and I. We knew that this next winter, I’d continue breastfeeding. He turns 2 in the March, so our goal is to get through the winter and hopefully to his next Birthday. He got RSV in April so if I can continue to breastfeed him through RSV season, that would be a huge blessing.
Of course, this also means that I will have the critics with their comments. I generally laugh them off but I might not bite my tongue this year. When the comments come, I might invite them to pay for Myles’ hospital stays if he does end up in the hospital. Then they can babysit my other kids while I am with my baby. Yes, he is covered by insurance but that means we still have other bills like co-pays and deductibles. Those can get pretty high when you are paying 20% of a 2 day hospital stay. With Myles’ reactive airway, they are predicting he will be just as sick as last year. All the critics can give me crap about breastfeeding a toddler but guess what, they can’t dispute the facts when my toddler is staying out of the hospital because he breastfeeds! Not all formula babies get this sick but if he were on formula he would be in the hospital. I watched other babies this last year that were hospitalized over and over. Myles was actually sicker more than any of them but the only difference? He was breastfed and HYDRATED, they were formula fed and dehydrated. There is a place for formula but there will never be anything like breastmilk.
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My family is really good with my extended breastfeeding now that we’ve done it a few times but the in-laws are crazy against it! I get so many nasty comments when were visiting about how disgusting it is that Princess Dot is 17 months and still breastfeeding but I agree were going until she’s 2 (& maybe longer).
If they don’t like it they can bugger off
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Thanks Jess. My family all know that I will do it because it’s what is best for my children. They also raised me to do what was best and right and not caring what others said.
You go girl! We are on month 26! I was going to quit and one year, then two years but here we are now and still nursing. I say its no ones business but yours and the baby’s.
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Twitter: AMomBlog
says:
I nursed my first till he was 22 months and that’s only cause little sister came and it was her turn. She nursed until 22 months as well and quit when she was ready. I think it’s awesome that you are continuing to breastfeed until you and your little feel it’s time.
LOL I had to quit nursing Syd and Kam because of pregnancies.We don’t have those issues this time so it’s breastfeeding all the way!
Good for you Mama! I breastfed all of mine well past 2 years old. Now that the AAP has come out saying babies should be breastfed to at least 2 years old, that should help shut up the naysayers.
Do what you feel is best for your child. you are the only one who knows what he needs.
I really wish it would shut up the naysayers. Unfortunately they don’t care.
Twitter: margieish
says:
Good for you! Screw what others think… He’s not THEIR child, he’s YOURS. I wasn’t able to breastfeed at all with any child so kudos to those that are able!
Thanks Margie!
Good for you! I nursed until my DD was 26 months. I didn’t even realize that was considered extended nursing! The month after she weaned she started getting sick all the time. I now realize how amazingly beneficial breastfeeding was and how much I loved being able to comfort and nourish her. I’m on month 8 of breastfeeding my son and plan on doing so for as long as we both want to, naysayers be dam*ed!
Thanks. Breastfeeding is beyond amazing!!
Hope Myles has a better winter than the last. Yay for momma’s milk!
Thank you!
Hi–
I breast fed until my daughter was nearly 3, and I know of others who have gone longer. Oh yes, there are the naysayers. In fact my family got together and sent me on a vacation away from my child for a few days to “help” us stop. I think we WERE ready to stop, but it was NONE of anyone else’s business. As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned to stop listening to critics–we EACH have a right to use our own minds and not succumb to know-it-alls. In fact, that is our responsibility–to use our minds and live our best.
I breastfed my son until he was some months over two years old. Of course he ate table food, but early morning, nap time, and bed time he nursed–I did not stop until HE was ready. He is 28 now, extremely healthy, and has a brilliant mind (4th year medical student.) I took heat for it, too, but I didn’t care. Most of the mothers I knew didn’t breast feed at all, so who the hell are they to say anything to me?
I am in the process of weaning my 17 mnth old girl. My sis went to 2 and 3 years old with her 2 daughters and we all laughed about it but nobody put her down or was mean or tried to control how she or I feed our children. Breastfeeding is so natural,I really don’t see what the big deal is and why so many people, especially women are so against it. Good for you Gena- you tell them to mind their own business.
Go Gena Go! It is the best thing you can do for him! I hope he doesn’t get as sick this year. Sick babies are SO hard. He looks so sweet in this picture
Didn’t know that breast milk made such a big difference when it comes to caring for a baby! It’s better to just stick to the natural way, how nature intended for us to live. Formulas really can’t always substitute for milk can they? Learned something new today!
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My wife and I are expecting are second child in november.you would not believe the drama we hear from family and friends about breast feeding. I feel people have forgot this is natural and have really got mis-informed and trust anything thing a pharmaceutical company prints.
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Cute blog! I found you on mommy blogger and I am excited to follow! If you get a chance, go check out my blog.
Have a magical day!
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