When to stop BREASTFEEDING and only PUMP?

Question

My husband and I seem to be in a disagreement. He was me to stop letting our son breastfeed directly from me by 8 months and only pump and feed from a bottle. I love breastfeeding, and it's created such a stong bond. I wanted to at the very least until 1 - 1.5 years. Am I wrong? 😥

Answer

It is completely natural to breastfeed until baby weans! It is recommended until 2 years. There are cultures that go much longer, worldwide weaning age is 5! You are right it creates a strong bond between mom and child and there's nothing inappropriate about it, there's no reason to stop because he is getting older. Talk to your husband about why he feels breastfeeding has a sexual component because there is no other reason to encourage you to pump instead of breastfeed. Many people aren't raised with breastfeeding mothers around them and it leads to misconceptions about it. You just need to educate him and show him it is natural and normal and healthy!

Answer

There isn't an age to switch from nursing to pumping. I only pump when I'm away from my child for work or the like. I'm nursing baby #4 who is 9 months. Her siblings weaned at 3.5 years, 2.5 years and just over 2 years. Usually a while after 1 year I don't have to pump at all because they don't have breastmilk when they are away from me. They are generally eating foods by then and nurse less often than the first 12-18 months.

Answer

Do what you feel is best for you and your child.

Answer

I could only pump with my first, due to her being in the NICU. Now with my second I'm breast feeding. He's only 4 weeks old so I might have a totally different opinion later on it, considering this is my first time to actually breast feed. But I feel like once he gets teeth is when I would switch to pumping only. But if it doesn't bother you then I'd say keep going! I don't see what bothers him about it. All my nieces and nephews breast fed until 1-1.5 years old. It's not like it's wierd or wrong. I don't see what bothers him about it honestly.

Answer

You're not wrong. It's recommended to breastfeed til 2 years ( but of course you can go longer or earlier depending on what you want) why does your husband want you to stop?

Answer

1 to 1.5 years is perfectly normal to breastfeed, I agree you should talk with your husband about why he thinks you should stop. On another note, coming from someone who really wants to breastfeed but is struggling with getting my 2 week old to latch due to tongue tie, pumping is a pain! And you have to do it a lot to keep your supply up. It is a lot more time consuming than breast feeding.

When to stop BREASTFEEDING and only PUMP?

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