Breastfeeding: How Long is Too Long?

I have chosen to continue to breastfeed my near two-year-old, even after hearing my wise and superstitious mother tell me that I will lose all my teeth because my body is being robbed of all the calcium because of breastfeeding for so long.

When I am nursing outdoors, I can sense the looks from passers-by wondering why I have a toddler under my nursing cover and hearing the words, “isn’t she too old for that?”

I hear every so often from relatives, “So how long are you planning to breastfeed for?” And the answer I give them is, “a little while longer until she’s ready.” I chose to wean more naturally when my child decides to, because for me, it feels like the right thing.

World Breastfeeding Awareness Week was this past August. The Brooklyn Alliance for Breastfeeding Empowerment (BABE) held a number events in Brooklyn during that time, along with the Great Latch On nationally.

It gave me much pause to reflect on my personal breastfeeding experience with my baby. It was such an amazing journey from the beginning because the minute she was born, she knew exactly what to do to sustain her life, even if I didn’t have a clue myself.

I had a bumpy start between latching and milk supply and I sure learned more than my share of hind milk and foremilk and the various colors of poop, yes I said it. But in the end, it all balanced itself out and I had a very healthy child. I had this initial idea that it was going to be so easy, but it took a while to get the right rhythm and proper latch going.

The best part was it was all free, and didn’t cost a penny because it came straight from me, her sole source of sustenance. Now that she’s a toddler and on regular foods, she uses her brief nursing sessions for comfort and warmth.

For me, it brings back those precious moments all over again when she depended on me for all her needs. She’s much more independent now of course and curious to interact with the world around her. As long as we’re both fine with her nursing breaks I can’t see stopping her too abruptly.

There are some downsides though, sleeping through the night issues in the beginning (recently worked out, ahhh) and some brief negotiations when it’s inappropriate to nurse in public (like in the middle of a street or a store).

But the plus sides are bountiful: I have heard that most children-led weaning is done at 3 years old on average, but it also depends upon the temperament of the child. My child is cuddlier and more dependant than others, so I suspect she will continue to need her comforting sessions for another year or so.

But who knows, she could always surprise me. When and how did you wean your child?