When to Stop Breastfeeding

When to stop breastfeeding is totally up to you. It's your body so you can do what you want with it. If you want to stop breastfeeding when your baby is 2 weeks old, 2 months old, or 2 years old, it's your choice.

But don't forget about your baby when you're making your choice to stop breastfeeding.

Your baby was given specifically to you to take care of.......

To nurture....

To love....

To feed....

To cloth....

To shelter....

Specifically to you.

So in understanding that it's your choice, but to also keep your little precious in mind, let's go over a few reasons for when to stop breastfeeding.

• When you want to- If you feel like it's time to stop breastfeeding, then stop. If you feel like you're tired of breastfeeding and want to feed your baby formula, then do it. But remember, you are ultimately responsible for your baby's health.

If in your mind, you feel like your baby is ready to be weaned, then wean him.

With our first son, my husband wanted him to stop breastfeeding when he was one year old.

When I looked at my little one year old, he was still so little. I couldn't imagine not nursing him anymore.

So I kept nursing him until I felt like the time had come to wean him. Which was at two years old.

(Although non of my kids have been fully weaned until around 2 and a half years of age)

In my mind that is a good age for me to stop breastfeeding my kids.

• When your baby wants to- If your baby is ready to stop breastfeeding, you almost have no choice, unless you're going to force him to nurse. Which I doubt you're going to do.

My cousin took this route and her daughter stopped breastfeeding when she was four years old. She stopped on her own.

The age range in which your child will want to stop nursing varies depending on the child. Some kids stop early because they want to go play and hang with their older siblings. Others nurse as long as possible.

• When you want to drink alcohol on a regular basis- There's nothing wrong with drinking alcohol while breastfeeding sometimes. But if you’re a drunk or maybe someone has referred to you as a drunk, you might want to give your baby something else besides breast milk. Because then, you’re messing with your baby’s ability to learn how to walk, jump, reach, etc., the way they’re supposed to.

• When you want to smoke on a regular basis- And when I say on a regular basis, I’m meaning more than a pack a day. You can still breastfeed and smoke, but there are things you can do in order to not harm your baby too much.

So when to stop breastfeeding is totally up to you.

Not your family. Not your friend.

If you want to stop, then stop. If you want to wait until your baby stops, that’s fine too. You should also consider stopping, or at least find ways to reduce your baby’s exposure if you plan on drinking and/or smoking.

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