How old is too old? - Page 9

[mom2threenurslings]

I nursed my oldest until his fifth birthday (he chose his weaning day!). I would have gone longer had he needed to, but the time was right for both of us. It was a completely natural weaning, and it felt right. I was expecting to be sad, but I wasn't. It's going to be interesting to see when my two other nurslings decide to wean!

[monkey's mom]

My SIL recently reminded me of my pre-child view on extended bfing! I know that my opinion then (and I hesitate to call it that b/c that would imply that I had actually thought about!), was based on a skewed cultural norm with no facts to back it up.

Now, I am nursing a 2.5 yr. old and will stop when he is ready. How could I do it any other way? I just don't think it's my decision to make.

I'm so grateful that so many women have put themselves on the line here and in real life--admitting to and publically nursing older children--despite the obvious repurcussions. It helps me so much! THANK YOU!!!

[mother_sunshine]

Bump!

[MamaAllNatural]

Thanks Mother Sunshine!

[mother_sunshine]

[pie]

Originally Posted by pie

I pcked the last one, but wish there had been mention of "for as long as both mother/child want too." I want him to be done when he's about three and am very very very gently prodding him in that direction. That said, I think it's fine when kids nurse for a very long time! I would never "wean" ds but am no longer bringing it up in convo with him, either!

wow this post is nearly two and a half years old. My son weaned/was weaned at a little over three and a half years old. He wasn't even three yet when I wrote this post. Not even two and a half. OMG time flies

mamas out there with little ones reading this, just take it one nursing at a time. It goes way too quickly, if you didn't know. I didn't.

He'll be five in august. I have to say, I can't imagine him still nursing but when he is sick or hurt I really miss the magic of it.

[UrbanPlanter]

Magic it is! My ds is starting to lose his naps, which I cherish and look forward to everyday. The only way I can get him to nap now is to nurse him - and I have to ask HIM to nurse now for a nap! Used to be he would be begging me to nurse and nap by 12:30, but today he didn't fall asleep until 2:30pm! And he would have preferred to play with his trucks! But I got him down, yippee!!!

[pie]

I mourn the loss of naps. I never get him to take a nap now. Maybe if he's really sick, which is when I miss the ability to feed him the MOST.

[bec]

I never participated in the discussion, but I voted for CLW back when my eldest was just over a year. She is now over three with a baby sister! She is close to weaning herself, but will still nurse occasionally. I have to pump for her sister (cleft palate, she can't nurse), so have limited her nursing to right after I pump. I need to reserve the majority of my milk for the baby.

My hope is that Emily will be able to nurse after her cleft repair and I can ease up on the restrictions for Katie. We'll see. If Emily doesn't nurse after the repair, I don't know if I'll be able to keep up pumping for much longer than a year. But I am commited to getting her breastmilk for at least one year.

It has been such a journey!


Bec

[mamaW]

I am glad to know so many mamas are willing to let their child lead the way. I only planned to nurse for the first year...now here we are at 16 months and I dont see DS weaning anytime soon. I asked my DH the other night after he made some off-hand comment I think it was "little man you have the life", if he thought I should wean and he replied "Heck NO!! but I hope I get them back somday!" I too voted child led, but I have to agree he should probably let me go when he wants to start dating... ...

mamaW mommy to Niko

[daisysmom]

You mean we're not supposed to nurse them one last time before we send them down the isle? :LOL

You know, I kinda get a kick out of seeing the shock on people's faces. My MIL has never seen anyone else nurse past 6 mos. Nursing just wasn't done in her circle. DD#1 nursed until her 3rd bday and DD#2 is almost 11 mos. Man, I can't believe it's been that long already...I so enjoy every moment of it (well, except for when we've had thrush). Babies grow up way too fast, who am I to say they have to give up one of their strongest connections to infancy? I still carry my 4 y/o in a sling every once in a while, I even tandem carry them. I so wanted to be able to tandem nurse my girls too, but dd#1 decided she was done 3 months before baby was born. I tried to convince her she really wasn't too old yet, but she looked at me like I was crazy and said, "Mommy, I'm not a baby!" It was so sad.

[LizaBear]

I voted for 4-5 years.

Beause right *now*, with 2 nurslings (1-yr old and 3-yr old), that feels like my limit.

Maybe it will change.

But, I have been gradually reducing my son's nursing since he was about 16-months old. Right now, we're down to 1 nursing, time-limited, before bed. This is working for us, for now. Very rarely, he'll nurse once during the day, for a short time (4 or 5 minutes tops). Maybe every couple of weeks, when he's had a super rough day.

I just cannot see us continuing much longer now.

We take it a day at a time.