How Old to Breast feed?
October 14, 2008 by Eliza Ferree
Filed under Breastfeeding
Momlogic wants to know how old it too old to breastfeed? What’s your take on it? I know some of you will have strong feelings, while others won’t. I can’t wait to hear this one. Is there an age limit to how old a child should be when it comes to breastfeeding?
I won’t lie, I have breast fed each of my children. My oldest went until he was right around 18-months, doctors ordered me to quit. I kept getting mastitis and they had to give me something with a bunch of crap in it to dry up the milk and it could hurt my son. That was cold turkey, I don’t recommend it. My second, she quit feeding from me right before her sister was born and right before her 3rd birthday. The third one was roughly 2 years old and now my youngest is 18 months and I’m still trying to wean.
Now as for what I believe, I’m just at the point of wanting to be able to have more freedom. Not to mention he got teeth at 2 months old so it’s been a bit painful at times.
I do believe there is age limits though, I remember reading a story about a mom that tried breastfeeding her 8 year old boy at a movie theater. Eek, to me that is too old. From my memory she would have to go to school at lunch time so he could get his milk.
MomLogic posted a youtube interview of one mom that breastfeeds her two daughters. One quit at 5-years-old but the other is still feeding at 8-years-old, it does show video of the 8-year-old feeding. (those that don’t want to watch)
8 is way too old. I’m a believer that as long as the mom and child are both comfortable it’s okay, but once the child is able to form it as a permanent memory, maybe not so much. Not at 5 and definitely not at 8.
8?! I don’t know how to react to that. I think that personally, I’d try to breastfeed for at least a year and quit sometime before the child turns 2.
When my son is ready to stop, he will let me know. Today is not the day. Probably not tomorrow either. I’m guessing not his 2nd birthday. But some day.
I don’t think there is a “right” age.
My daughter was almost ready at 3 but after being hospitalized for a few days she regressed. She quit on her own at four. My son quit at about two. Both came back for more about a week after they stopped. When I told them there was no more milk, they were both fine.
By the way, my daughter loves milk and my son could live without.
They had both been down to once a day for a while before they quit. Very easy process.