Today is quite a special day — I have been breastfeeding my son for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days. Yay for extended breastfeeding!
When I started breastfeeding, I didn’t have a goal in mind of how long I wanted to do it. I had such breastfeeding problems during the first two weeks with sore nipples, all I was concerned with was learning how to breastfeed correctly so it would stop hurting so much. Thinking about how long I was going to do it was furthest from my mind, all I knew was I wanted to shoot for one year.
The first year went by with me getting to know my baby and loving nursing him so much that I became a breastfeeding advocate. The second year went by and I became a La Leche League member. I also started my blog Dagmar’s momsense because I wanted to share my story and become a resource for breastfeeding moms.
And around that time the questions started — I was still breastfeeding my son? Yes, I would beam, he has no intention of weaning, and I am so glad. I was secure in my decision to let him self-wean, and he showed no intention to do so. Of course his feedings became less frequent once he started solids at nine months, but he still got a large amount of his calories from breast milk.
To my surprise, I surpassed breastfeeding him for three years a few months ago, and L has no intention to stop. I still nurse him to sleep every night, and depending on the day we have, he either nurses just a couple of times during the day or many times. He can go a whole day without breast milk when he is out and about with his daddy, and he really doesn’t ask to be nursed anymore in public. Not because he feels it’s inappropriate — I have never made that suggestion — but he is just too busy exploring the world. Only when he gets hurt in public does he sometimes ask to be comforted by being held and getting a few sips of warm, sweet milk. Wmart kid!
Breastfeeding my son is one of my proudest accomplishments in life. It was such a struggle in the beginning, yet I stuck it out, and I am so glad I did. I gave him the best start health-wise and thankfully L is a very healthy child so far.
Compared to other moms, I don’t have to worry when L doesn’t eat his vegetables, because I know that he still gets all the vitamins and other important nutrients he needs from breast milk. He seems to be the one who is sick the least in his preschool class. And as I always point out — because it is still not widely known by many — by breastfeeding my son I also give myself a huge gift of health. There are so many health benefits for mothers who breastfeed their children — the longer I breastfeed L, the lesser the chance of me getting many illnesses like cancer, diabetes, or hypertension.
I wonder how much longer my son is going to want to breastfeed. Will he continue to gradually self-wean or is he just going to tell me one day that he doesn’t want to breastfeed anymore? Motherhood is such an neat adventure every day, and I am looking forward to many more surprises down the road.
Landon — you are 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days old today. I love, love, LOVE you so!
How long did you breastfeed your child? Do you know of someone else who breastfed for a long time? I’d love to hear from you!
You might also be interested in this article:
La Leche League: Extended Breastfeeding and the Law
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Going strong at 14 months and very proud that I made it through mastitis more than once as well as a very bad breast abscess. A good lactation consultant is key. Currently my son BF first thing in the AM and sometimes before going to sleep; he is so active now that during the day he does not need/want to BF, and he drinks water and whole organic cow’s milk as well. I hope when my son starts daycare in a few months and I return to work fulltime, he will be shielded from some of the viruses floating around there! I like to think I’ve given his immune system a great start, and I know the bond we have thanks to BF is like none other!
Lisa, he will definitely benefit from having breast milk for this long! My son is the only one who never gets what all the other preschool kids are rotating in terms of illnesses . And yes, it also creates a very special bond, and secure kids — and special memories :)
Good for you, mama! I made it to 8 months, then I pumped for a while but got tired of it. I wanted to last a year but my daughter got the roto virus, was biting like mad and frankly, after a bloody bite or two I was too scared to nurse her! Now, I do have to say I have a 3 year old – 3 years and 3 months near to the day – and I cannot imagine nursing her. But to each her own, and I applaud you! So few of my friends and coworkers supported the cause.
My son is 3 years 7 months and I nurse him to sleep every night. He nurses almost every morning depending on our schedule. And occasionally he will nurse during the day, When he is sick there is a definite increase in frequency and when he gets hurt he immediately wants the boob. I’ve always let him lead the way with nursing. And although it has not always been easy (occasionally I’ve complained to my husband that it’s like water torture), I do not regret a moment of our special bonding time. I would not change a thing. Congratulations on your milestone.
I am new to your blogging, and absolutely love this extended breastfeeding post. My daughter is 18 months old, and still breastfeeding, and I absolutely LOVE it! Breastfeeding is so much more amazing than I ever thought it would be. My mom breastfed all three of her children (up to 2.5 years). I truly never have known much about formula, and have always just known that I was going to breastfeed too. You rock!
Dagmar, I’m new to your blog (Amy Suardi sent us to you) and I can’t tell you how supportive this particular post was– the one about extended breastfeeding of Landon. My son is 2.5 and loves breastfeeding. I do too, most of the time. But not many of the folks around me, who are otherwise fairly enlightened and supportive, are uncomfortable with my toddler breastfeeding, so in my insecure moments, I sometimes feel like I must be doing something shameful or hurting him, somehow. Your words and the comments of the other folks go a long way towards reminding me that it is between Jonathan and me, and to trust us to figure it out together, whenever, however! Eager to read more, Beth
Just interested to see if you are still breastfeeding? If not, how old was your son when you stopped? Either way, GOOD FOR YOU & HIM!
wow thank you for sharing that story Amazing and Beautiful
We are also still nursing. Our daughter will be 3 next month and at times I see an end coming soon, then she pulls through and nurses like a new born. Sometimes it’s frustrating, most times are joyous. There will be a day when our nursing will come to an end and we will have to adapt to other ways. For now I am trying to remember in my busy moments that this is what is natural and this is what is needed.
Great post!
I nursed my eldest until he was just over three, my second until he was about four and a half and my youngest until she was three and a half.
Tandem twice, they all kind of overlapped.
Great job! It’s so hard to find people in my offline life who understand the beaming pride I have for breastfeeding my daughter who is 3 years and 9 months old. I never thought that breastfeeding would be this important to me but like you said, it has become one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. With it looking like I will be nursing until 4 years and beyond, I must say I am unapologetic for how proud I am of myself!!
.-= Glowing Goddess´s last blog ..For the Love of Foreskin, Stop Cutting! =-.
Ha ha! I followed this link to your blog post from Breastfeeding Moms Unite! and then went back to my email to find you’d already commented on my post. Thank you!
Congrats again on your continued breastfeeding!
.-= Lauren @ Hobo Mama´s last blog ..Long-term breastfeeding =-.
Yea! Nice. We have been going 2.75 years now and like your nursling, mine shows no signs of wanting to stop. Somedays I feel like he’s going to slow down — and then he’ll suddenly go strong again, day and night. I’m in no hurry, though, just letting him set the pace. I’m so glad there are many of us to be a community for each other online!
My last post was on the terminology for extended/full-term/long-term breastfeeding, if you want to check it out. :D
.-= Lauren @ Hobo Mama´s last blog ..Long-term breastfeeding =-.
Thanks for sharing your story and congrats! I hope to be as successful. Your story was timely as I’m having some support issues with my husband regarding AP and breastfeeding past 2 years.
I too had a very hard time initially with breastfeeding. To be able to say we are still breastfeeding at 20 months is a big accomplishment I’m proud to share.
Thanks for putting a smile on my face.
.-= pantrygirl´s last blog ..I didn’t know I had it so good. =-.
I am still nursing my daughter, she is 3yrs. 9months! I also decided to let her self ween (much to the chagrin of certain ppl who thought me weird to BF past 3 months!) but she nurses a little at nap time, and when we lay down at night for bed. It’s getting less and less now that she is learning to fall asleep without the breast, but when requested I don’t deny her. Like your L, my H is a healthy girl. She was born a 34 week preemie and I believe it was my on demand and extended breast feeding that has kept her healthy =o)
Love your blog!
ChuChiFace.
Wow! 3 years. I am impressed, I nursed my twin boys for 7 months and I thought that was a feat. Though for a long time after I missed the closeness that nursing provided. And now they are 27 months and still love to be held in the nursing position.
.-= Jenna @ Newlyweds´s last blog ..Winner of One and The Same =-.
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