extended nursing questions

[chelled17]

My DD is 10 months old.  We had planned to stop BF at 1yr old, but I have enjoyed it so much, and am thinking of going till 1.5 years.  Just wanted to know how often she would be BFing after a year? Should I still feed her Milk every 4 hrs? how many oz she should be getting in Milk? 

[Samuel's mum]

After 12 months you are aiming for around 12-18oz of milk OR less with dairy in the diet. So after 12 months it's common to do say 2 feeds (maybe morning and bedtime) and solids containing dairy in the day. Or perhaps 3 feeds - one midday. TBH you can do as many feeds as seems right. At that age I was still doing 4 or so but Sam was a big solids eater too.

VERY glad you are asking!
Check out the extended nursing thread to see what others were doing.

[chelled17]

Did you also give other types of liquid in his diet, (ie. cows milk, water or juice) ?

[Samuel's mum]

Completely personal choice. I think almost everyone will do water for sure. A lot will do juice. I didn't see the need for cow's milk - seemed illogical to me. But some do it.

[chelled17]

Thanks a lot, I'll check out that thread too. 

I love your sons smile!

Michelle

[EllenS]

We do 4 bf per day plus 3 meals & 1 snack.  My lo just turned 13 months.  I tried dropping a feed as we introduced solid snacks, but it was not enough calories for her.  We do sippy's of cow's milk or sometimes water with meals or when she is thirsty and bf is not convenient.  I tend to favor cow milk over water b/c I am always looking for ways to get more fat and calories into this little girl's mouth so she will sleep through the night!

[JKL]

DS breastfed till he was 2.  When he turned a year, we were still doing 4 feeds a day (6ish, 11ish, 3ish, and 6:30).  He was eating 3 meals and had water with them (plus yogurt and cheese--he loves dairy)  I sort of just followed his lead, and when he didn't seem interested in nursing in the evening anymore, I dropped that one.  Then the 11, then much later the 3, etc.  When he turned a year old, I intro'd cows milk (just sat a sippy on his tray with his water at one meal).  When I dropped the 2 mid-day feeds, I added snacks with cows milk, and that's still how we do it today--water with and between meals, 2 cups of milk with snacks, plenty of dairy products in his meals.  Extended nursing was an absolutely wonderful experience!  So glad you are considering it!

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

As another extended nurser, looking forward to having you join us!

I also still do 2-4 nursing sessions a day at 15 months, but it varies, as she's in daycare during the week.  She gets cow's milk at daycare after naps and I'll offer some with supper at home.  She also gets water. She sometimes mooches juice out of her sister's sippy cup too, but not that often.  Good luck!