Hello!

I’m happily still breastfeeding my 16 month old but I’m starting to feel a bit self conscious. We’ve always done on demand feeding and so I let him have a feed whenever he wants (within reason, like not just before meals or in the middle of a shop etc). Lately he feeds a lot when out St friends/park/playgroup almost as down time and to come in for a cuddle. I’m aware that most mums I know have stopped by now and aren’t sure if I should reduce when he does feed?


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  • Totally up to you ! I breastfed my son till he was 5yrs old (at that age only before bed though).
    You can find some articles here about toddler feeding https://kellymom.com/?s=toddler+feeding


  • You are the mother and you do what you believe your child needs! If and when you are ready its time, dont worry what other people say or think!


  • There are such beautiful encouraging and gentle replies. Heaps of people feed their babies for a long time so don’t worry about how long you do.


  • I feed my daughter on demand till she was just over two but if you feel that you want to start to phase it out maybe just drop one or two feeds to start with.But you do what you feel is right


  • I fed my son until he was almost 3. I did gets lots of comments by that stage. At 16 months they are still so little. Let your heart be your guide. If you feel it’s too much then cut back. Otherwise just keep on going. You know best.


  • My son is also 16 months and i have reduced breastfeeding to only 2x a day morning’s and afternoon’s, before his nap time he has a bottle of cow’s milk and also at night. He has solid food throughout the day. I enjoy breastfeeding but it was getting a bit tiring for me so i just stopped a feed at a time and replaced it with cow’s milk, then a week or two later i stopped another breastfeed and so on. I’m happy with 2 breastmilk feed’s a day for now but will eventually stop another one :)


  • Hi my daughter is two year and one month old.still I breastfeed her.but nowadays she became adamant about breasfeeding.she doesn’t drink cows milk or formula. Nowadays she wakes up to drink multiple times at night.she is a fuzzy eater.she prefers breast milk over everything.so it depends up on you.around two years they became more addictive to breast milk.this is from my own experience.now I am trying to wean but its not at all working..but I am also happy that I am able to breastfeed her until now.I believe it makes her more immune to diseases. Thank you


  • How ever long you want to, do not listen to the neigh sayers. What ever is best for you and your child, keep on breast feeding girl friend!


  • its really up to you and not for other to judge, i feed my youngest for up to 18 months, mainly before bed at night or when ill. . When i decided to stop it he was ready and took to a cup with a straw in it easily..


  • I would pretty go by how many times he would have a milk feed if he were on cows milk. So for me it was first thing in the morning, mid afternoon and bedtime. As I started to wean him I eliminated the day feed first followed by the night and the morning. If you let him have it whenever he says you’ll find he’ll be too full to eat at meal times and hell expect to have it whenever it suits him which can become difficult if its not at an appropriate time.


  • I would do a feed before nap and a feed at bedtime. In between they would have water.


  • I know one Mum who fed after ordinary meals after the toddler had solids as a top-up 3 times a day and one at night. She gradually reduced the amount she let him have then only gave 2 during the day and a small one at night. Then one morning and at night between dinner and bed time. At some point she introduced cows milk and gradually phased out the night feed, then the morning one. In between he was given more water than he had been drinking and he only had water at night in place of the night feed.


  • You are mum. Nobody else can tell you what is best for your child.
    If you want to reduce maybe try just giving him a cuddle and offering something else. Don’t feel self-conscious. You do what you feel is best for your child


  • It’s an individual choice. Although personally I would be limiting to set times / routine – if you are planning on weaning soon then I’d make steps to do so now otherwise you may end up with a tantrum every time you deny your little one.
    Perhaps limit to feeds before a nap / sleep…


  • Normally it is advised to start fresh ( cows milks ) from 12 months. If he is demanding why don’t you slowly introduced cows milk in to his diet with solid and get him on some sort of balanced diet. A friend of mine breastfed till 2 years old, but she combined solids so it wasn’t too demanding for her. Eventually babies need to be weaned off so it is better to start slowly otherwise they may get distressed when it does happen or needed .


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