This past weekend I was speaking with a woman that I just met and we were discussing our kids. She was shocked that I had breastfed my daughter for 12 months and I just wanted everyone's opinon on this. Do you think it's strange for a woman to breastfeed her baby until 12 months of age?  

I dont think it strange, people breastfeed longer then that. To me i never breastfed i was just to uncomfortable, alot of it probably comes with immaturity and being so young in my case. But shes your daughter not someone elses you do what you feel is best. 

Ummm no. I breast feed my youngest till she was 13 months when she bit the livin sh.t out of me and drew blood with her little chomppers and I decided that was it she was through I couldn't live with another bite on the boob. lol! 

Nope that's not odd at all! I still bf my daughter is 11 months and I plan to continue iluntil SHE is ready to finish! :) 

I think 12-18 mo is ok, but the 2-5 yr olds that breastfed....that freaks me out! 

My daughter starting biting younger but when she would bite I would take her off and let her cry a bit and then put her back on so she learned to quit biting. She also loved to grab and squeeze! 

My neighbor in Germany breastfed all her kids until 3-4yrs old. Now that is too much in my opinion. 

Yes that is too much, I went until 12 months because that was my original goal, and my daughter was becoming so independent that she was ready. She was such a trooper! I was also ready to have my body back to myself as selfish as that may be, but she had them to herself since she was born, LOL! I didn't give her formula at all, strictly breastfed, I felt very accomplished and proud. Not many women 21-22yrs old can go through with a year long of breastfeeding. Started her when I was 21yrs old and stopped at 22yrs old, I think that's an accomplishment myself. Don't get me wrong ladies, I am all for formula, if that's what someone chooses, then that's their choice, this was just something I researched and decided while I was pregnant, I tend to be hard-headed, especially since I had family telling me I couldn't do it, that just fueled the fire, LOL. 

I dont think that is strange at all. My sister breastfeed all three of her children until they were 12 months. Due to complications I wasnt able to breastfeed I had to pump and I did that for 3 months. 

I never had the desire or want to breastfeed my kids. I dont think there is anything wrong with formula feeding or breast feeding. It is an individual choice. I think that if you formula feed your child and that is the worse thing you do..you should get mother of the year. LOL You are right Billie it is a personal choice. 

No I dont think it is wrong but I think it is good for the child. I did my daughter until 3 months because she didnt want to anymore and my son until 10 months until he bit me and my 3rd son until 4 months because of work. But I say if you can they go for it. 

I think to each his own but for me once they get teeth I think it's time to switch to the bottle or sippy cup. Or once they start walking it's time to switch. But that's my opinion and I don't hate on anyone who chooses to continue. 

Its based on peoples opinion thats all it is. I know a person that stopped brest feeding all 4 of her kids at the age of 6 months and put them on regular whole milk. Now 6 months i think is extreamly young but that was her choice. BUt its your personal choice 

I did both of my boys until they were right about 8 months old then they went to whole milk and pureed and baby foods. Doc gave us vitamine drops for the morning bottle and they never did formula. They are 17 and almost 15 now and aside from tubes in their ears at about a year old have never been ill, have no allergies, and have grown as normal boys. I had a very old school doctor and love it:) 

I think as far as the statements go on breastfed babies are healthier than formula fed babies OR breastfed babies are smarter is also just opinion. My sister in law breast fed all three of her babies and they are always sick. My nephews were never breastfed and they are straight A students. My daughter was only breastfed for two weeks and then went to formula and has always been healthy and she is such a smart girl for her age. 

My sister breastfed her kids until they were 5 she belonged to the La Leche League. I personally thought she was touched! 

12 months is VERY normal! 

When I was talking to the lactation consultent at the hospital she said the new recommendation is now actually 2 years of age, I don't know if I could do it that long because I was DONE when my son self weaned at 18 months but he was only nursing before bed by that point anyways..and if he hadn't decided he was done I was trying to figure out how to "help him" decide he was done lol! 12 months is an awesome accomplishment def. not weird! 

hey, whatever works best for you and your family. i wouldn't worry about the public opinion as long as you are comfortable and it is working out then go for it. :) ~Amy 

I think 12-18 mo is ok, but the 2-5 yr olds that breastfed....that freaks me out! I agree with you a 100% on that one. Once they are able to undo the bra strap it's time to wean them off! I only did 4 months with each of my kiddos and that was enough. I love them, and they got some which was better then none, but honestly, it's too time consuming and I have a life. Plus, I didn't produce enough milk. Also, once they have teeth that's long enough for me! 

Not that we are in any 3rd world countries..but even in Germany...babies are breastfed till the next one is born...strange but true. What happens when you are still producing breastmilk...did you ever think of pumping and feeding it in a cup to your child? Go as long as you can or want..or just don't do it all. You are all individuals...at the hospital...the nurses encourage breastfeeding...they dont force it. Just think...if you ever wanted to give your baby the best gift in the world? and it does not cost a dime??? give them some boob...its all good in the end. 

I think as far as the statements go on breastfed babies are healthier than formula fed babies OR breastfed babies are smarter is also just opinion. My sister in law breast fed all three of her babies and they are always sick. My nephews were never breastfed and they are straight A students. My daughter was only breastfed for two weeks and then went to formula and has always been healthy and she is such a smart girl for her age. My daughter never got sick until I stopped breastfeeding her. As soon as it was out of her system she became severely congested and got a bad diaper rash. "Not that we are in any 3rd world countries..but even in Germany...babies are breastfed till the next one is born...strange but true." The lady I spoke with that was surprised about me breastfeeding until 12 months old was from Germany, so I know it's not totally common there either. She just moved here, she was born in Germany and lived there her whole life. 

I just think people who think it is gross are wierd personally. How many generations of people came before us and that was HOW they fed your grand parents and their grand parents and so on and so on.. just think about how it was BEFORE formula ever came around. Its only natural. My mom breast fed me and my sister until we were 3 years old. (even I think that is a little long) I breast fed both of mine for as long as I could. it ended up only being for about a month a piece cause they cracked my nipps and i was bleeding and it hurt me too bad so i gave up lol but, I did it for the bonding experiance and because I believe its best for the babies to get the colostrum (at the very least) from us it helps with their digestion and all kinds of stuff later in life. and thats a fact. But I have known people who think otherwise and I don't knock them for it..... If they want to they want too and if they don't then thats their choice too. It just comes down to what people are comfortable with. and not about what other people think. 

I dont think its odd at all.. 12 months is when you take them off the bottle and give them a cup. If they are breastfed then they are going to breastfeed til they are 1..its the same thing I guess 

What happens when you are still producing breastmilk...did you ever think of pumping and feeding it in a cup to your child? Okay, yeah, if you want to do this, then more power to you. The kid isn't still attached to your boob at 3 yrs of age. That is weird. Sorry, but that's my opinion. 12-18 months is long enough to be breastfeeding a child. If you pour it into a cup then fine, but otherwise it's a bit creepy. I have 4 and would never have done it any longer than that! 

My Sons ped. told me that the average is about 6 weeks to 2 months (On post that is) and that most mothers stop around then. I noticed though that its about the time Mom's go back to work. The Lactation Consultant said the "Experts" are recomending 2-3 years. WIC told me a year. So the "Authorities" on nursing don't even match lol. I have so far made it to 3 months breastfeeding. I actually was pushing my son out still undecided about nursing. When they told me he was sick, and that my breast milk would be the best way to help him I set a goal of a month. The month came, and I thought about it and said "Well I did okay, Why not give it another month to get out of cold and flu season". He turned 2 months and I figured again that its not difficult as people say and he really hasn't been too bad so I will keep going. I will say he gets 4oz of formula a day because I am anemic and he needs the iron. So he gets that in the evening but other than that my baby is breast fed. I do not think that it is weird to go to 12 months. I think there is a giant stigma about it though. I was at the Mall in a nursing wrap with Elijah and some lady told me I had allot of nerve doing that in public. My husband told her that she didn't have to look if she didn't like it and the Mall is very large so go another direction. I am an open breast feeding Mommy and I am darn proud. I honestly think I will make it to a year. I hate that he even gets the 4oz, I personally don't want him to have more than that. That is my choice though. My Mom only fed me for about 2 weeks and gave up. I can't fault anyone for a personal choice. I think when they are like 3 its become a bit strange but I at the same time there are those that think I am strange. Parenting is all about personal choice. Do what you feel is best for your baby (Within obvious reason) and in the end you'll be able to hold you head high. 

I breast fed both of mine for as long as I could. it ended up only being for about a month a piece cause they cracked my nipps and i was bleeding and it hurt me too bad so i gave up lol I was so determined, both my nipples were cracked and bleeding before I even left the hospital with my daughter but I still continued until she was 1yr. I used lots of lanolin and nipple shields until they healed. My Sons ped. told me that the average is about 6 weeks to 2 months (On post that is) and that most mothers stop around then. Yeah, when I took my daughter for her check-ups, I got weird vibes from the staff when I told them I was breastfeeding her still at 6 months and 12 months so I believe it. 

I was at the Mall in a nursing wrap with Elijah and some lady told me I had allot of nerve doing that in public. I would breastfeed my daughter in public too, whether I was shopping or out at a restaurant, if she needed to eat then I would feed her, but I was always covered so no one could see my personals, I got lots of weird looks, especially when I was eating in restaurants and nursing her. 

@ Proud Cav Wife, I've seen the shirts online that say "if you don't like me breastfeeding in public than put a blanket over your head" lol sounds like you needed that when that lady said something! 

lol I'm gonna look 4 1