How old is to old to breastfeed?

Question

I am not pregnant but planning on trying at the end of the year and I am learning a lot. I have decided to breastfeed, but I saw this video on youtube and was thinking, how old is to old to breastfeed? I would like to stop when the baby is around 2 but what do you think? Also what are the health benefits of continuing to breastfeed?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxv6R9fUO74&feature=PlayList&p=67B2D902A6FACD87&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=15

Answer 1

A child is too old to BF when they decide they are.



My daughter weaned herself at 4 when I was pregnant with my son and I am still nursing him at 2.5.



My pediatricians and midwives were thrilled I BF as long as I did. It still gives them a ton of nutrients no matter how long along with the immunities.



When my daughter was 3 she got very sick and the pediatrician wanted us to come back the next day cause she felt she would be dehydrated by then and need an iv. I explained that she was still nursing and since she had been sick she had increased her nursing sessions. The dr was thrilled and said that she would be fine and we did not have to go back.



ADD: Do you guys not realize that when a newborn bobs their head on your shoulder, roots around and sucks on your chin they are ASKING to be BF? It is their natural rooting instinct to help them survive they search for a breast.

Answer 2

I think 2 is good after 3 I think it's less of a nutritional thing and more of a comfort thing but people can breastfeed for however long they want I would feel a little uncomfortable if I had a child in grade school who still breastfeeds. i would stop around 2 if the baby was still in to breastfeeding probably not past the age of 3 or when they start school.

Answer 3

There really is no right or wrong answer to this question. It is a mother's choice (although I personally believe that when a child is 4 is really the max limit, an 8 year old is in 3rd or 4th grade, and will be scrutinized their entire life by classmates because they will think that its okay, but again it is the mothers choice).



I didn't get to breastfeed my daughter due to latching issues, and going back to work when she was very young (a few weeks). But I did pump for 5 months so I am proud of myself for that. However with my next baby which my hubby and I aren't trying, but not preventing I plan on breastfeeding until they are done (if not by 3, I will wean.) But children usually self wean when they are ready.



As for the health benefits, people who say that they don't receive health benefits after 1 are uninformed. You can receive health benefits your entire life from breast milk (although I'm unsure there are 40 year olds out there still drinking breast milk ha ha) But it is full of nutrients and antibodies that help your body.



When you are ready to stop breastfeeding that is your choice, and don't let anybody scrutinize you for your choices! Congrats.

Answer 4

truthfully, I think that to some extent you have to go with your own heart and what is best for your baby. All 3 of my kids were breastfed for at least 6 months. My boys nursed until 2.5-3 years old, my daughter weaned to a bottle at 6-8 months old. My daughter started taking a bottle at about 7 weeks old so I could go back to work at 9 weeks. For the most part it was expressed breastmilk, but as she got older we mixed some formula in because she drank more than I could pump. At about 6 months she started to refuse to nurse in public, then only at home IF we were lying down, then she started really refusing to nurse, but would inhale a bottle. After a few weeks of that, I returned my rented pump and put her on formula. My boys were a different matter...they would not give up that nap time/bed time nursing without an act of congress. Through the day they ate real food and drank milk, etc from a cup, but when they were tired they wanted mom.



For my youngest son it had some great health benefits. He was prone to gastroenteritis up until he was about 2.5 years old. he got like 3-4 cases a year and it always meant he would stop eating for like 10 days. At some point he would refuse the cup too. No matter how sick he was, he could always keep breastmilk down. When he got gastro I always went back to nursing him when ever he wanted it. The last time he had it he lost 1.5 pounds in 10 days around day 8 I took him to the doctors and the doc asked what he had been eating and drinking. I told him that I could count his solid intake in bites per day, but that he had been nursing on demand and drinking some gatorade. The doctor said that nursing was great b/c he was getting fat and protein along with the carbs he was getting with the gatorade.

Answer 5

The American Pediatrics Association recommends breastfeeding up to 1 year of age and as long afterwards as is mutually agreeable for mom and baby. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding up to 2 years of age. It depends on your personal beliefs and parenting philosophies. I am very much into attachment parenting and natural, instinct-led parenting. I am planning on completely child-led weaning. I will let my daughter choose how long she wants to breastfeed for. I don't expect she will nurse past 3 years old or so. Most moms I've talked said their child-led weaned children stopped before then. There will be critics who will disagree with you no matter what your choices, so whatever you decide make sure you have a support network to help you through your new life as a mommy!!

Answer 6

There's not really an age--the best time to stop is when the child is ready. While my daughter is still nursing at 20 months, it's not at all like nursing when she was two months, and I'd imagine if she's still nursing at 3, it won't be like it is now. She currently nurses about 4-5 times throught the day, but only the wake-up and before bed sessions are longer than 15 minutes.



As far as health benefits, past the age of two, I'd look at it sort of like any healthy food--like an apple. Do you really NEED an apple? Probably not, but it will never be detrimental either.



There are still numerous emotional benefits.

Answer 7

there is no such thing as too old, if u and baby are comfortable with it.

i watched my babies cues and they were both weaned by 12 months. it got to the point that they just forgot about it.

i dont neccesarily agree with moms that breastfeed past their babies natural cues that they want to quit. its doesnt seem right to force anything on anyone but its their choice, and hey, its always good for the child. it just seems like it would be more difficult and confusing for the child.

the natural age that most moms quit breastfeeding is 5 but keep in mind, that is only if other foods are low in supply, which shouldnt be in america. by the time a baby is 7 months they get less than half of their daily nutrients from formula or breastfeeding, thats when it comes time to feed real food every meal.



good luck i hope breastfeeding works out for u, its tough but it is so worth it!!

Answer 8

First- I think your choice to breast feed is a good one! Read up on lots of things while your pregnant and be ready for the hard work that it takes in the beginning and you'll do just fine ( unless medical reasons cause you to be unable to breast feed in which case don't let anyone make you feel badly for that)



Secondly, that's a choice only you can make. When it feels natural to stop, you will. Until then, just enjoy it because time flies by and babies grow up! :)



Good luck!

Answer 9

I would say 1yo, the same age babies who are bottle fed are weaned. But I guess 2yo is fine if that's what's best for you.



I DO NOT think that the mother in that video is helping her children in anyway. I might get a lot of thumbs down but I find a women still breastfeeding her child at 8 very strange. Children that old need more important nutrients. Solid foods, juice, cows milk, etc. I just think that the woman in the video is either selfish for trying to hold onto that connection, or the child is very spoiled for needing that much attention.



These are just my opinions though.

Answer 10

Anthropologists estimate the natural age of human weaning (based on comparisons with other mammals) is about age 4-6. That said, few people in the U.S. breastfeed that long. If you can make it at least two years, that's fantastic. If your kid has a driver's license, he's too old.

Answer 11

I'm still breastfeeding my baby & she is 10 months old. I've been a stay-at-home mom since I gave birth. My initial goal was to breastfeed her until she turns one year old but now I've decided to use a breastpump to express my milk for her and keep giving it to her using a cup so she can continue to get breastmilk. Breastmilk is very healthy and natural. That's why God gave women breasts to feed our babies not as a sexual toy to please men. The #1 function of breasts is as a foodsource for our children. If you can breastfeeding for the first 1-2 years of life is best. Research it and you will see how superior breastmilk is to man-made formulas. My daughter has NEVER had an ear infection and she is not overweight and "too big" like most formula-fed babies. Even her pediatrician told me that most babies are overweight. A breastfed baby stops sucking when he or she is full. A bottlefed baby stops sucking when the bottle is empty even after the hunger has been satisfied.

Answer 12

Personal choice I say... but 8 years old or any age over 2 years old freaks me out completely... but that is just my opinion. Many arguments have come out of this classic topic :) I've seen that clip before... made me feel ill then and still ill now lol ;)



I couldn't breastfeed as I had no milk supply so I guess I don't have any real understanding of it as I have never experienced it. Don't get your hopes up about breastfeeding... I did and it just didn't happen. People don't seem to tell you that!!



EDIT: Hello thumbs down fairy :) How nice to see you! Am I getting a thumbs down because I couldn't breastfeed due to no milk supply?! or beacuse i said it is disgusting an 8 year old to be breastfeed?!! Hmmm fairy isn't happy today!! LOL!

Answer 13

Usually the baby will decide when its ready to quit. I think its really your decision. I nursed all 3 of my kids, the longest was for 12 months. I think however you could cause some emotional damage if a child is nursed past 3 or 4 years old. I don't think anyone wants to look back and remember being breastfed by their mom.

Answer 14

I think when they wean off it of their own accord is about right...



Remember when you're breastfeeding a 12+ month old it's not constant like a newborn so you would almost always only do it at home so no need to worry about other people's shortsighted opinions.



It's probably pushing it when they start school though!

Answer 15

My doc recommended that I breastfeed until atleas 1 yr

Answer 16

Wow 8 years old? That's too old. I would stop around 1 year-18 months. 5 and 8 is too old. They said if you breastfeed longer children might be smarter. Sadly I had to stop at 6 months because of too many complications.

Answer 17

I think it is the mother decision when to stop, however, it is defiantly strange to see a mother breastfeeding her 4 year old son in public, as i did yesterday. if you choose to breastfeed longer than 2 years please keep it private :)

Answer 18

I watched this video too! I guess it all depends on your comfort level. I said I would stop when my son was able to ask for it himself. I'm just not comfortable with him coming up to me in public and lifting my shirt up for a snack.

Answer 19

As long as the toddler is taught breastfeeding manners... Ie: ask and wait til mommy can find a quiet place... Then no toddler is too old.





Extended breastfed babies do eat other foods....

Answer 20

Doctors say there's no particular health reason to breastfeed beyond age 1 and my personal opinion is that it could impede their desire to try new foods and explore their world if they're still having to sit still for breastfeeding as toddlers.

Answer 21

To me I think a year is long enough for a child to benefit from breast milk. But that is my opinion. others will disagree with me.

Answer 22

when the baby is one they are old enough for regular milk and they can eat everything you do so i think its kind of gross to breastfeed after one year. it is all personal preference though

Answer 23

I recomend stopping sometime before your child goes to kindergarden... 2 is great!

Answer 24

Stop in his 2 years old

Answer 25

There is no need to do it after the age of one. The benefits are gone by then. I think 9-12 months is a good time to stop. A child can be eating regular food by there time they are one with no need of breast milk or formula.

Answer 26

I say 1 year

Answer 27

if the kid can walk and talk its too old