For moms of more than one: How long did you B/feed first time around?

[mom2sweetboy]

I am still nursing my 3 year old. . .Just curious how long everybody else breast-fed their little ones the first time around.

BTW, my MIL thinks I am absolutely nuts for still nursing (even though it's only a couple times a day) and allowing DS to sleep in our bed. In her words "that's so peculiar".

[pageta]

DS self-weaned at 2 1/2. As in...January. And I may be joining this DDC soon... [laugh]

[cottonwood]

I nursed my first 3.5 years, through a pregnancy and up until the third. He would have nursed longer, but I couldn't bear the thought of tandem nursing through a pregnancy (as the first time nursing through a pregnancy with just one hadn't been all that pleasant for me.)

[kleinhund]

Unfortunately, only for about 4 months and most of that was pumping. I had a lot of problems and zero support. I'm looking forward to a much longer and more successful nursing relationship with my second. I've done a lot of research to learn from my past failure so I'll be better prepared.

[eco_mama]

I breastfed DD for 21 months. 3 months shy of her 2nd bday. I plan to BF this one about the same.

[Twice as nice]

I am on my first, but my sister just had her second child. She breastfed her first almost up until birth of her second baby (1 month shy of 4 yrs), but those were mostly comfort feedings whenever the first was cranky or asked for it.

As far as sleeping, she, her husband, and both children all sleep together in one bed even though the older child has her own bedroom and bed (which she only uses as her playroom) and they all love it. I say do whatever feels right to you!

[Earthy~Mama]

I breastfed my first for 21 months. I am currently tandem nursing my 3yo and my 19mo. My oldest just told me today how much he loves "his" upples! LMAO

[mama2silas]

DS weaned just shy of 18 months. He probably would have gone longer, but between daycare and spending almost every weekend with my parents around that time, it kinda screwed things up. We were getting our 100+ year old home ready for sale, so I was stressed too.

I hope to go at least 2 years with this one, but he/she will decide.

[Chicky2]

1st baby--13 mos, when she weaned herself. 2nd baby--2.9 yrs (nursed thru pg, plus tandemed for 8 mos), and 3rd--3.4 yrs. Who knows w/this one??!!

[Momof3Girlz]

I breastfed my eldest for 2 years. I have breastfed all of my children. I will of course breastfeed this one. I hope to do it exclusively without intro to solids for at least one year.

[Chicky2]

I really wanna hold back on solids, too. My son started on them when he was 5 mos because I was having trouble keeping up (nutritionally) w/tandeming and my milk supply. I just couldn't get enough to eat! Shortly after that I weaned my dd (she needed to know it was ok w/me), and my milk supply increased again. It is so much easier to just bf! I also wonder if it would make a diff in dental issues to bf exclusively for longer. I'll just listen to my baby and when I cannot keep Baby out of my plate I'll know it's time to intro solids, lol. By that time, there's no need to worry 'bout making baby food or buying it, or whatever since they can just eat of my plate, lol. I don't call it lazy mothering-I call it smart!

[annethcz]

My oldest weaned at 15 months when I was pregnant with #2 and lost my milk.

I'm still nursing my 4yo and 2 yo.

[deleria]

I breastfed A for 8 months and D is still nursing at 3.5yrs. He doesn't seem to be enjoying my milk as much these days, though. I think my milk must be changing fairly quickly. Although I'll miss the closeness if he weans completely, I'll also enjoy not nursing with very tender breasts and look forward to a few weeks 'off' before the baby gets here

[merpk]

First till 3yo, next till 3.5yo, and the next also till 3.5 yo, and the next is still going at not-yet-2yo. b'H. CLW.

Tandem nursed each with the next, too.

It's a good thing.

[SlingWearin'Mama]

Tanya- big hugs to you! Supply issues are no fun when you have lots of support, let alone without. I hope you have a wonderful relationship this time around!

I bfed dd until 22 months and look forward to nursing these two as long as they want

[kleinhund]

Thanks for the hugs, Jenn! I'm confident this time will have a better outcome. I now know where to find good advice and support. And I know which family members will get their backsides kicked if they dare try to interfere again!

[ariahsmum]

We're still nursing!!! DD is 4.

[deleria]

Originally Posted by kleinhund

Unfortunately, only for about 4 months and most of that was pumping. I had a lot of problems and zero support. I'm looking forward to a much longer and more successful nursing relationship with my second. I've done a lot of research to learn from my past failure so I'll be better prepared.

I just saw this and I wanted to say that I don't think breastfeeding for four months is a 'failure' at all! Nursing, pumping... it really doesn't matter as long as your little one was getting breastmilk at the most crucial time in her development. I mean, despite all the problems and 'zero support', as you put it, you still managed to go four months. That's amazing!

I was 20 when our first son was born, had no support (other than a wonderful hubby), no friends with children, and a baby traumatized from his birth and fully tongue-tied. We had the tongue tie corrected thanks to a great paediatrician and that corrected his latch enough that we could keep going. I breastfed him for eight months.

I used to view that as a failure, too. I mean, eight months compared to the 3.5yrs with DS#2 (and still going) seemed like such a small period of time.

Two years ago, we found out that DS#1 has moderate hearing loss (and now DS#2 has a hearing loss diagnosis as well, showing a genetic disposition in our children). When breastfeeding, DS#1 had no ear infections - nothing that could potentially make his hearing loss worse. While I didn't know it at the time, I protected his hearing in those eight months. It feels like anything but a failure now, you know?

Those four months have made a big difference in her little body, no doubt. All the best to you this time around

[leurMaman]

I only BF DS for 12.5 months. I would have nursed much longer, but we had been TTC since he was 8 months old. Despite shifting the nursing schedule and introducing bottles, I wasn't ovulating. DH is 9 years older than me - and in a bit of a hurry to have the kiddos close together. I caved and stopped BFing at one year so that I might ovulate again. Just like the books say, it took me exactly three months after completely weaning him to get pregnant again. Since I had a M/C, this all means that the babies will be 27 months apart.

[Tori Gollihugh]

I'm around 6-8 weeks preggo and still nursing DD at least once each day. (I MLWed right around Christmas in hopes of getting preggie - and way VERY successful!!!) On 'special' days (arbitratily chosen by me) DD gets to have boobie two times. She is 23 months old and LOVES boobie... she would still be going at least 5+ times daily if I would let her! I think I will let her continue after the baby arrives with the once a day, but she may wean herself before then because my supply is basically gone on one side and low on the other.