I miss it!!

[allisonb]

Is it strange that I totally miss b/f my daughter? The only reason that I stopped was because I got pregnant (suprise!!) and my OB told me I "had" to stop breastfeeding my almost 17 mo. old. It's only been about 4 days since she's been totally off the boob, but I'm already missing that closeness with her. I still cuddle with her, etc. but something about b/f is so sweet and bonding, you know? Now, I've also recently read up on some articles saying that it's ok to breastfeed while pregnant, but I just trusted my OB and stopped. I'm just a little sad. My husband is now telling me that I should've stopped much sooner and I shouldn't b/f this long with the new one, but I told him sorry buddy, I'll probably do it much longer with the new one!!

[Jayney]

BF is the best once you're used to it! I BF my son until he was 20 months old, he's 27 months now. We stopped when we were TTC. Why doesn't your husband want you to do it so long? It's good for them!

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one whose passionate about breastfeeding. My family is weirdly against it, so talking to people that love it as much as I do is nice.

[Newmom!]

Technically you can breastfeed all through your pregnancy, but . . .
1. around 4 months your milk can change flavors and/or your supply diminishes - many babies are off put by either or both.
2. it is hard on you to do it, breastfeeding is demanding on your body and so is pregnancy. If you wanted to continue you would need to consume many more calories and be sure you are getting adequate hydration and extra rest.
3. Your milk does turn back to colostrum as you near your due date, not bad for your older baby, but might be off putting, again.

You are fine having fed as long as you did. World Health Org encourages moms to breastfeed beyond 2 years old. Be sure you do TALK to your husband about why you wish to nurse for over a year. You want him to still support you. Ask him if there is any reason why he wants you to stop sooner (maybe he wants the boobs back as his - not unreasonable.) If he has reasons, you might be able to find solutions that makes him more supportive of you.

[lismom2]

It's not weird at all that you miss it . Since it's only been 4 days, you could probably re-lactate pretty easily.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/relactation.html

[allisonb]

He says that he thinks it's weird that she could ask for it and lift my shirt up. He didn't like that sometimes she stood in front of me while she was breastfeeding. I tried to explain to him about the WHO recommendation of 2 years, but he wasn't listening. I'm sure having my boobies back to himself is defnitely a reason too, when I'm b/f I really do feel like they're my daughters, and not sexual at all. He also told me before we had dd that I shouldn't b/f at all (his mom didn't, either did either of his sisters-in-law), but once he saw how much $ we saved on formula, plus the fact that I told him I was doing it with or without his support, he was fine with it. I'll talk to him again once this pregnancy progresses a little more because I really came to love b/f my daughter and don't want to have to have a cut off time when I "have" to stop, you know?

[Newmom!]

Here is an interesting quote from Kellymom.com ""Per the World Health Organization, "a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness." [emphasis added] "" Here is the link http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html - some more "ammunition" to convince your husband to support your extended nursing.

Definitely talk to your husband again as you plan. Maybe you two need to make some compromises. Think about the word your daughter uses to request a feeding. Maybe if it is a tamer word/phrase it would help your husband. My baby is only 10mo at the moment and only nurses lying down (tried to get him to sit up, he refused). So I don't know, but is it possible to teach your next baby to stay lying down? Now, you may disagree with that and that is fine, just brainstorming ideas.

More importantly, make sure nursing doesn't take affection (and boobs) away from your husband. I am sure your breasts have been mostly off limits since the beginning of your first pregnancy, then during nursing, then with another pregnancy. That is a long time for your man. In your discussion be sure to address these issues. After your baby is a couple of months old there should be no physical reason to not let your breasts be sexual (other than the occasional days that pop up).

I'm rambling. The point is, if you can make some small changes that would support your husband's feelings, then he might be better able support you nursing beyond age one.

[RockieB]

I just became pregnant and my baby is 21 months. HE refuses to stop B/F. Moms, please advise how I stop, this has been emotionally painful. THe experience until now was wonderful.

[Newmom!]

RockieB - I have not weaned yet, but I have some thoughts.
Slowly wean him, stretching feeding further apart every day, or drop one feeding every day or 2. Despite whines and tears, don't let him nurse when it isn't time to (give him a cup of milk instead - water at night). Time it so it takes only a week or so to eliminate all nursings.

When he wants to nurse - give him some cuddle time where you read a book together or do something else special. The weaning time will be hard, but your toddler should be able to "get over it" soon. I am not looking forward to when I must wean and I hope this will help me. Good Luck

[iralevimom]

I breast fed my oldest for 17 months. My baby is 10 months old now and I will nurse him as long as he will. I think it will be harder to wean him b/c he is my last baby. I see nothing wrong with continuing to nurse until your child weans him/herself