Discussion of the Day
Babies/Toddlers and weaning off of nursing or bottles
Luv ur26-Apr-23
I've seen every age of child up to I'd say 7yrs, nursing discreetly or being handed a bottle or pacifier. Do you think there's a "reasonable" age that an infant/ toddler should be weaned off all of these ways to feed or get comfort? Or is this strictly a woman's choice, and we should respect that choice and not get involved with our own opinions?
Comments
  • My babies were all weaned at around 2 yrs. old. Here's a funny story to lighten the mood here. My youngest daughter turned one on Dec. 18th. I told her we were going to give her remaining bottles to Santa and he would give them to some little babies who really needed them. She reluctantly placed them in the tree and was quite upset to see they were actually gone the next morning. She was so mad she wouldn't even open her presents for 3 days. She actually hated Santa until she was around 5.
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    • That’s not funny. That’s sad.
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    • My baby girl grew up to be a very compassionate person who now works for the State of Arizona in the Child Abuse and Trafficking department. Happily married with two adult children and two grandbabies. And a great sense of humor!
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  • animals wean early ... follow their example. They don't need forum advice
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    • There are way bigger and more important issues to judge, like our current horrific government! We can get so obsessed with judging others. I like judging myself to maintain a positive and Happy side of things….you feel a lot better about life:).
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      • Wouldn't know 65 no kids
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        • I can only speak for my own kids. My 2 girls kept breast feeding and pacifiers until they where around 4 to 5 years old. My boys where different. My oldest stopped breast feeding at 2 but loved his bottles until he was about 4. My middle son got a mouth full of teeth very young and was weened by six months for biting. He used to bite the bottle tops off too and pacifiers got destroyed. My youngest son was weened by 2 and never liked the bottles. He preferred the cups with a straw. Each to their own I think.
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          • every kid is different school and kindy normally sorts these things out, I put vegemite on their pacifiers from around 2 to 3 if still on them, luckily they hated vegemite, they would see these bottles and pacifiers with vegemite, they didn't want them so introducing these wonderful straw thingies , and gone were the pacifiers and bottles, we got lucky I believe but the kids all love vegemite now and it worked on my kids and my grandkids
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            • We should respect the mother's choice. I have 4 children and each of them was weaned off breast milk, pacifiers and bottles at different ages. I generally left it up to when they were ready. One was 11 months and the others were younger.
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              • I worked with children for over 20 years and nearly always found that a child will choose their own time to forgo these things usually between 2/3 years
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                • I definitely do not agree with age 7. As far as I am concerned they should be off bottle or pacifier when they start preschool.
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                • I think that it is the mothers decision, although I do think that 7years is to old.
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                  • Whatever works for the child for happiness and comfort, everyone is an individual
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                    • Not being a parent I cannot say. However it's every parents responsibility to do what's in the best interest for their children's development. Which I'm sure they can manage quite well, because every person is different
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                      • It SHOULD be a parents choice, but not all parents make the best decisions for their children. Getting involved with your own opinions isn’t always the best decision either. Getting involved with an offer of assistance if a parent is struggling or finding weaning difficult is probably better than just offering an opinion.
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                        • I personally think they should be weaned off everything before any schooling or preschool. My boys only used a pacifier in the first six months of age
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                          • A lot of babies look for a pacifier while teething..
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                          • MariajRosemary E 383382
                            I gave them a rubber teething ring that could be put in the fridge to cool their gums which be better for them than a dummy :-)
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                          • my nieces didn't like them
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                          • MariajRosemary E 383382
                            I know of 20 different shaped teething products and only two of them are rings. They come in rubber, silicon & cloth etc Also organic all natural sedative and pain-relieving formulas that are idea for children who are experiencing discomfort and irritability due to teething :-)
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                        • I think it's a personal choice but for myself once they can sit up it's time for a bottle.
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                          • I think just before 12months you should wean kids of the more longer you leave it the harder it can be
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                            • You can cut a hole in the teat of a bottle and gradually increase the size of it. You can swap to a leak proof container before just a small glass 1/2 full. If you take them off milk too soon they may refuse cereal and other food with milk in it.
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                          • As I couldn't breast feed I had to bottle feed. My kids were weaned off bottles by 14/15 months. They never had a pacifier. I believe a pacifiers are used to keep mums happy not babies. Pacifiers take away the parents responsiblity to teach children. By the time my kids were 2/3 they were sitting at a table with spoon and forks. They now teach their kids and grandkids manners. Fortunately none of them had allergies and I believe that is because they were introduced to solids as soon as they were three months old.
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                            • It is better for a baby to be weaned off a pacifier than finger sucking. I know of one child who sucked 3 fingers and in the process pushed her teeth and jaw out of alignment. It any of the older members of the family woke during the night they would ease the fingers out of her mouth. They even put bitter tasting stuff on her fingers and that didn't work.
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                            • So you will let a little baby cry and gulp in air (wind), be in pain and cry even more.. Some babies cannot digest solids at 3 months. Some certainly can't digest even ordinary cheddar cheese at more than 12 months. Dr worked out live can't cope with the fat content. I had a cousin that couldn't digest mashed cauliflower at 12 months. I suppose you were a Mum who "time fed". Too bad if your baby got hungry or thirsty sooner.
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                            • MoBRosemary E 383382
                              No I would not let a baby cry, only a mother with no mothering skills would do that. Talking to babies and generally parenting babies is what a mother should be doing, not shoving a pacifier into its mouth. Solids start with soft foods not cheese. No idea what you mean by time feeding, you soon learn to understand what your child can eat and not eat if you are parenting properly and not just an adult with a baby.
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                          • Being a male I probably should not comment. But I have noticed with my own children and grandchildren, and there little friends. They and their mums work it out very easily. I did my share of bottle feeds.
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                            • 2
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                              • 3 being the latest date
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                                • If you watched Little Britain the Nobility where breast feed well into their late 40's, so I'll say no more.
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                                  • By a year old
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                                    • I breastfed my first child for about 6 weeks as I dd housework & hen my milk dried up. Didn't like breastfeeding as I had breast olcers where she kept on biting me. With the second child I put er on the bottle straight away & I think I connected with her more than I had with the first daughter who had been breast fed for 6 weeks. It is still up to the mother to decide what she wants to do.
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                                      • It has not altered much
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                                        • I have been on the bottle for years. I love it. The flavour changes as I move around in different countries.
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                                          • I bet!! Ha ha.
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                                        • Yes I did with the girls and at the age of about 2. They liked their tippy cups so they used them for awhile but definitely off the bottle by 2 and definitely no breast feeding after 10 -16 months however it does depend on the mother and the child. Each to their own and no one else has the right to say` Oh you're doing it wrong'. How would they know and only a mother knows what is right for their child so go by what you think is right as there is no wrong answer here. I knew some one who breast fed her children until they were about 10 or 12 and she said they could give it up when they wanted too. Not some thing I did or would do but who was I to criticise what she wanted to do as they were her children.
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                                          • it should be the baby's choice
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                                            • When all you want/need is a little peace in your day, who cares how old the child is. If it keeps them quiet, go for it!
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                                              • I still enjoy being 'comforted' sometimes...
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                                                • Individual choice I think, but I would also think age 3 should see the end of all of those "comfort" things.
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                                                  • I do think that there is a common sense limit. I say by 2 or 3 at the latest you can teach your child to eat some food or have other nutrition. I understand this is a sensitive subject, That is just my thoughts, Yes I have a son and I breast fed for about six months, My body gave out. I wish it could have been longer. Just me. Have a good day all.
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                                                    • im 78 so im the same as Gaza
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                                                      • It is not abnormal to B/F for 2 years. I have known a woman who was B/F 3 children. A 7 year old, newborn and another somewhere in between. Personally, I think school children should not need breast milk but each to their own.
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                                                        • I'm 75 and still not properly weaned, love my wife.
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                                                          • Lol
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                                                        • whatever works for you
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                                                          • I believe whatever works for you I had 5 boys first 3 gave up the breast before 11months, no dummies, 4th child breast fed till he was 1 had a dummy and blanket till 3.5yrs, 5th & final child no dummy but breast fed till 2.5yrs my choice to end it not his
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                                                            • i never brest feed my kids could not do it so the bottle my daughter had a dummy but i said when she turned one thats it back to the dummy fairy and she gave it back and never miss it
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                                                              • Each to there own nobody can decide
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                                                                • Everyone to their own. Do what works for you .
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                                                                  • I was adamant my child was not having a dummy. Oh how I changed my mind after 3 months of hell! Wheeled him into the chemist and boom ! ..instantly half an hr of blissful silence .He finally let the Easter bunny take them all away for some glitter and choccie eggs at 3yrs .Would not take a bottle and was undersized little jacksprat so went with his way for 9mths until he decided to be sensible about things !
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                                                                    • Bitty.
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                                                                    • Liane H mary c
                                                                      Haaha see above,somebody has brought up little britain and it was not me !!
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                                                                    • mary cLiane H
                                                                      oh i didn't see haha. Just spotted 😄
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                                                                    • Mariajmary c
                                                                      Haha
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                                                                    • mary cMariaj
                                                                      I don't think a vid link would go down well..tempting tho!
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                                                                    • Mariajmary c
                                                                      lol, I would have thought it funny
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                                                                    • mary cMariaj
                                                                      I daren't..I've been sent to the Rewardian naughty dungeon before and it's cold and lonely!!! ;))
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                                                                  • I have no opinion. I'm allergic to babies!
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                                                                    • It's the mothers choice really. I know that i wouldn't have welcomed input at that stage from others, due to the fact that every child is different. You sort of 'know; when the child want to move away from the bottle etc.
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                                                                      • it is personal choice, and one size doesnt fit. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS IS A GOOD START
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                                                                        • We’re all going to have our personal opinion! As noted from baby boomer’ and I am from that era, and a qualified early childhood educator, there are developmental changes that best suit an infant to be weaned off the breast, a bottle and pacifier, however as noted by Christine M, we live in a multicultural society, where every culture is different, and deserves no judgment from us!
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                                                                          • Agree with Alan
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                                                                            • It would be the parent's choice, as they'd be the right people to know the right moment
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                                                                              • My last child was being examined by the doctor who said that the 12 month old was doing great. He then asked what I was feeding the him. I said that he was mainly breast feeding and only tasting other food. The doctor said 'the baby had malnutrition.' (nutty)
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                                                                                • That's odd! I know that breastfed babies are more prone vitamin D deficiency but I always went with the saying "Food before one is just for fun" but after that solids become their main source of calories so introducing foods at 6 months is a good idea, but only introducing and not main meals.
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                                                                              • How about we don’t look for reasons to judge other mothers. It’s a bloody hard job. When children are little you are doing the best that you can, while the world looks upon in judgement, and people feel they have the right to approach you and tell you what to do. WRONG!!! We need to support mothers and the choices that they make. Different families, different children, different values, different circumstances, different cultures will all lead to different choices.
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                                                                                • Yes your totally right about that! every culture in our diverse communities has their own ways.
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                                                                                • Agree !!
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                                                                                • Well said. Have to agree. Too many people who have absolutely no idea of the circumstances pass judgement on mothers or caregivers. As long as baby is thriving and happy is the important thing, and fed is best is the motto whether it's formula, breastfeeding or comfort feeding with food as the main diet. Each to their own as parents understand their own children better than anyone else.
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                                                                              • off of ... suggests it was a person from the USA who is asking. I'd have to say it gets a bit chronic when a small child chases his/her mother around a supermarket demanding "titty, titty, !!!" Baby Boomer below sums things up nicely.
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                                                                                • Children should be weaned by 12 months. My daughter was bottle fed from birth but that was my choice and was weaned by 11 months and drinking from a feeding cup. Never had a dummy as she didn't like it and spat it out. I certainly wouldn't be breastfeeding or bottle feeding or giving a child a dummy up to school age. Doesn't encourage the child's development in anyway whatsoever and dummies give them buck teeth.
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                                                                                  • I think it’s a parents choice larger given each child’s needs differ. All three of my boys stoped being breastfeed by 1yo but continued to have an occasional bottle of breast milk for the sux months after. By 1.5yrs the used sippie cups or a plastic cup
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                                                                                    • Parent choice
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                                                                                      • Water and juice bottles were not nipple addicting went from spicy cup from Breast wind die. And wrap that up a month after first year
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                                                                                        • It is the mother AND childs decision. I have heard of an adult male (22) coming home at lunch time to!
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                                                                                          • What?!
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                                                                                        • respect the parents choice. Personally I prefer to see kids over 2 not with dummies/pacifiers/bottles/breast feeding but all is choice
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                                                                                          • Normally, I would say choice but I question the people that breastfeed a child that is no longer a baby, To me, this says more about the woman's need than the child's and you are just asking for psychological problems for the child that is capable of walking, talking, reading, writing, having friends, going to school etc and still being breastfed. I also think it is shameful that women who choose not to breastfeed (or have tried and don't like it/can't do it) or choose to stop are made to feel shame for doing it. Why is it OK to bully, shame and harass a woman who chooses not to breastfeed and yet is is not ok to ask a woman to not breastfeed at a restaurant table or in certain public places? Why have the rights of everyone else to be comfortable be ignored just to empower one individual? This is reverse bullying (where one person thinks that they have the right to do whatever they want, whenever they want in spite of how it makes others feel and gives them a false sense of entitlement. No baby has ever starved to death waiting an extra minute for the mother to go to a feeding room or a more private area (which is also better for the baby to be fed in a quiet and peaceful and less stressful environment...stress is no good for feeding or milk quality either). Since mental health is such a big issue these days, it still makes me shake my head when even medical staff try to guilt the mother into trying to or continuing to breastfeed or having "an all natural" birth. Nobody seems to care about the mental anguish they are inflicting upon mothers (it seems like they love talking about choice as long as it is the choice that includes breastfeeding and a drug free child birth).
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                                                                                            • Breast feed as long as they like, but please follow dentist/speech pathologist guidance when it comes to bottles and dummies - they aren't a natural thing and can affect the formation of your jaw, muscles, teeth and how well you speak and eat.
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                                                                                              • Everyone is different. Mine were only having a bottle at night at 2 years old and then off that by the time they were 3 years old.
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                                                                                                • From my own experience babies have their own timetable on this. One son wanted the breast to about 18 months; less and less often after starting baby food and solids. My other son just stopped wanting breast and went straight to cup at 7 months. No bottles for him, no sippy cup (I hate that that word 'sippy'; it's as bad as 'chippies' UGH!!) just straight to a glass. For other people whose children don't stop on their own by their second birthday, I think it's definitely time to show them what the alternatives are. If the child is reluctant - or the mother herself - then definitely, absolutely by 3 years of age. Any longer than that and you should both be embarrassed!! It's okay to use the word 'No'.
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                                                                                                  • Once they start making out, chomping along, when they see/hear you enjoying "grown up food" and they grab a drumstick from your hand. I think that's a fair indication that they are ready for solids and move on from that udder food!
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                                                                                                    • I've never seen a child older than about 3, breastfeeding. To me, a child who is old enough to walk up to its mother, reach into her blouse and pull out her breast without any help and start sucking on it, is too old.
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                                                                                                      • No comment
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                                                                                                        • I think by a 1 1/2 but I don't know of any lasting negative effects of this.. Not sure if there are adults who have lasting issues or not.
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                                                                                                          • When is child older(5y) it just doesn't look right to me but it's personal/family choice. My son at age of 18months said he doesn't want breast milk anymore. Occasionally he asked for cow milk so I gave to him bottle with a straw with milk. Honestly i was afraid of weaning off of breast milk but he made it very easy.
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                                                                                                            • Your son sounds like me... According to my mother, I wouldn't touch warm milk from a bottle. Whether breast, cow's milk or formula, it had to be cold from the fridge.
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                                                                                                          • 1.5 years old
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                                                                                                            • I think the age of two.
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                                                                                                              • A combo of Mom's choice and baby advancement
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                                                                                                                • According to La Leche League self weaning typically occurs between 3 and 4, and a study mentions a natural duration of breastfeeding between 2.5 to 7 years - see "Breastfeeding Beyond Infancy" La Leche League GB. Apparently "full term" breastfeeding was a cultural norm for us humans and non human primates typically wean when their offspring erupt their first permanent molars which is equivalent to age 5.5 to 6 years of age for modern humans which also happens to coincide with reaching adult immune competence. I still breastfeed my toddler who is 3, due to the many health benefits it will give my child. It even contributes to a higher IQ apparently as well as excellent immunity. Benefits for mum as well including reduced risk if certain cancer and also diabetes to name a few. My mum breastfed me until I self weaned at 4 years old so chances are my kiddo will probably do the same. There are benefits to letting your child dictate when to wean such as your child feeling more connected/loved/stable as well as self confidence. It is a personal choice though and you've gotta do what is right for you. As long as the kid is happy at the end of the day is the most important thing but also you have to make sure it's practical for you too because breastfeeding is challenging at times and it can take a toll on you so you need to look after yourself as well.
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                                                                                                                  • Age 2 I would say
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                                                                                                                    • 'Not a female' (hence, I 'have never' given birth). 'NOT a clue' when babies/toddlers should be WEANED OFF of nursing/bottles.
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                                                                                                                      • I had 3 children, 2 x one year apart and then a third child 2 years later. None had a dummy even though one was premature. They just never needed them. I fed 2 but the premi was on the bottle albeit with my milk for a while. The other two were weaned off the breast after 3 months and then I think the day/night bottle by age 2. However, every child is different although I do not think older kids should be on the breast at 5 years etc. Dependency on Mum at these ages is not good for their independence I feel. But agree, it is the choice of the parent and we should butt out.
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                                                                                                                        • After two years of age I put all my kids on sippy cups ,etc.
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                                                                                                                          • Heck yeah! Take that away at 2, I say.
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                                                                                                                            • yes but it depend on the delveloping of the child
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                                                                                                                              • I think it is a woman’s choice and man’s depending on the circumstance, and should not be judged by others. My mother bottle fed her 9 children. I nursed both babies until they weaned on their own. My daughter weaned at 2.5 years and my son at 2 years. I was supported by a La Leche league leader who had 6 children. Privacy was of the utmost importance inside the house when company came over and when venturing out with the children. It was a wonderful experience and I learned a lot.
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                                                                                                                                • I think it's up to the mother, it's her baby/child. But personally I think when the child approaches a year old to start weaning. Once the child starts getting teeth & for instance put to bed with a bottle, it increases the chances for cavities. They fall asleep with the bottle in their mouth (milk/formula) pools somewhat...they don't swallow when they're sleeping. Sure they may drool a bit, but milk & formula have lactose (milk sugars) that will eventually cause cavities.
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                                                                                                                                  • I think it should be an individual choice, but my opinion is that nursing should stop by the time the baby's a year old, and bottles and pacifiers should be done with before the child's three.
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                                                                                                                                    • pacifers are to pacify the adult not the child
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