[fordmum]

Sorry... I just wanted to let the whole world know (or as much of it as possible) that I'm absolutely elated that my DS is still breastfeeding having turned 16 months today.

I managed 7 mths with DD and was devastated when stopped. Had I known then what I knew now (DD was hubby's 2nd so went off his experience) DD would have been exclusively breastfed until 6mo which is what was done with DS.

Admittedly I feel a little guilty at times that DS has in some way had a better start than DD but then again looking back in retrospect the stressors that we around back then including a miscarriage may still have prevented me from breastfeeding DD for longer than I did.

Anyway, I digress... DS still receives at least 3 feeds a day. He gets first thing in the morning (usually between 7-7:30am), afternoon (between 3pm & 4:30pm) as he's too busy at lunch time and it suits us with me having to return to work twice a week at night, and right before bedtime (anywhere from 7pm to 8:30pm). Occassionally if DS is rather unsettled he may get another right before I go to bed which is normally around 11pm-12am (joys of running your own business - there's always work to do).

The only problem I have now is convincing DH that should we reach 2 years, that it will still be up to DS when he completely stops although by then it will only be morning and night so no-one else has to know.

We even taught DS the sign language for breastfeed so when DS wants a feed/its time for a feed, I sign to him and if at home he walks down to his room where we feed. If out and about we find somewhere discreet and comfortable with as little distractions as possible.

Sorry, I've gone on for longer than I wanted to... even though it is hard work and sometimes time consuming or a bit of an interruption, I love breastfeeding. For me, it is such a wonderful experience, I'm glad I'm doing it and feel so lucky to be able to still breastfeed.

[Tikiboo16]

Yay for you fordmum! It's a wonderful acheivement and such a wonderful feeling to know that you have gone beyond the one year mark and they are still getting the good stuff.

I am still BFing my 20 month old DD and although hubby keeps telling me it's time to stop, I will keep going until she tells me she's ready.. It's my favourite time of the day

[~shannon~]

Congrats!!!

Your story is similar to mine... I could only BF my first child until she was 5 months of age, so with my second bub I was determined to go longer, and now she is 22 months old!

We also tried teaching her a sign for BF but in the end she decided she would rather say "boobie", so it can be a laugh when we're out and about and she asks for it!

[Gonewiththewind:...]

Congrats. I'm still feeding my nearly 15 month old although mostly before bed & overnight. I think that at this point if I stopped offering he probably wouldn't ask (& he certainly won't feed during the day, too distracted) but I will keep going for now. I want to get to 15-18 months I think but it's up to him. I'm ready for him to finish when he's ready now. Bfing was a lot of work for us and I worked really really hard on it so I feel happy and proud we've got this far.

[fordmum]

My DS is quite clearly a "boobie (little) man" so am half expecting him to say the word later! However, I doubt it will bother me and if anyone gives me any grief, I'll just give it right back at them!

I have had a friend that said "I'm guna thump you if you're still breastfeeding when he's five!"

Woo-hoo to all the breastfeeding Mum's out there!!

[lucky 2]

Congratulations fordmum

[AryaStar]

Congrats fordmum!! Baby number two is on the way for me in about five weeks and I can't wait to start breastfeeding again. It was one of my favourite things about having a baby

Well done and enjoy your continued BF relationship.

[fordmum]

Congrats. I'm still feeding my nearly 15 month old although mostly before bed & overnight. I think that at this point if I stopped offering he probably wouldn't ask (& he certainly won't feed during the day, too distracted) but I will keep going for now. I want to get to 15-18 months I think but it's up to him. I'm ready for him to finish when he's ready now. Bfing was a lot of work for us and I worked really really hard on it so I feel happy and proud we've got this far.

Congrats to you too!! Keep it up as long as he wants it. I completely understand the hard work you've put in to breastfeeding it has been the same for us at times too.

[CharliMarley]

Let your DH know that your breastfed toddler will not get as many virus's and anything else that is going around, and if he does, it will be very mild - so that is a plus. Another plus, is that you will be a low risk of contracting breast cancer at a later date, because mums who breastfeed for two years cumulatively (1,2 or 3 babies) lower their risk of getting this insidious disease.

[TwiceTheWoman]

How fantastic and wonderful you are!
I BF so long ago...... and have such fond memories
Our nn for breastfeeding was "the boozzie". Our eldest son couldn't pronouce it so just said "bee".
Eventually with excitement and hunger at around 18 months he would say "humbee?". So cute. Humbee stayed with us as a nn for the others who came along later on as well.
It is such a special time and for anyone negative, just tell them that they are little for such a short time - and that time passes so quickly. Enjoy!

The negatives around me - PIL's and associated relatives, insisted I was raising the children to be clingy, pathetic creatures.
I stuck to my guns, believing in the reassurance of the nurturing going on and am so glad I did; they have grown to be strong, confident adults and I feel sure that BF provided a strong cornerstone there.

Keep it up you are wonderful - it's so much harder when you've had a tough time first time round.

This post has been edited by TwiceTheWoman: 03/04/2012, 03:46 PM