For those of you who breast fed your baby...

[Alex]

... or are currently breast feeding... for how long did you do it or are planning on doing it?

I am undecided if I should stop at 9 months or 12 months, I know the longer the better for the baby but I really need to get on a diet, I feel miserable with my weight.

[Germanchick]

Baby isn't here yet but I plan on exclusivly breastfeeding until she'll be old enough for table foods at which time I will supplement with breastmilk till she is about 1 year old or so. Of course that'll depend on whether or not I'll be able to breastfeed etc.

[JoyS]

I only breastfed for about 4-5 weeks. Zach got lazy in the NICU and never really enjoyed it. He liked being able to get his food quicker through a bottle.

With Kole I plan on doing it for as long as possible but if he wants to go for a long time I would wean him at about 12 months.

[LaurenBeth]

I BF until he was 6 months. I had to go on a medication (bc I got sick) that was not approved to take while BF... he had to go from only BF to all formula for a week. I tried to pump to keep up but my supply was went way low and it was never the same. Also I was having a hard time keeping weight on and eating enough to feed him. He took it all from me I guess. Anyway I nursed until there was nothing left. I was sad about it big time. But I was glad I got to for as long as I did.

[Heather]

I stopped b/fing Cory when he was around 10 months. I just wanted my body back. With Lily I didn't feel so selfish but she stoped nursing around 11ish months. I would have liked to go longer because I heard that women who b/f for 2 years or longer cut their risk of breast cancer by 50%

[Veronica]

Val is almost 16 months and I'm still nursing :inshock
Yeah I said I was only gonna do it till she turned 1, but I enjoy it, dont work, so why not? She doesnt bite and it sure has helped her with her colds! I am not sure when I will end it...I'm hoping she'll end it for me, untill then I am going to TRY and enjoy every single moment my baby girl sits on my lap and nurses...Of course I want my body back and feel depressed with my weight, but I will NEVER get to do this with her again...I take in every moment with her while we nurse and I will defintely miss this intimite time with her.
But I sure will be when I can finally where my skinny jeans!! and push up bras!!!!!

[KDMatthews]

I BF my son for about 4 months. I was so stressed out and just started student teaching, getting ready to graduate college with my dh on deployment...I wasn't eating enough to supply enough milk and I was so tired of taking my entire lunch breaks to pump...so I did both until he just got used to the bottle. When I have a second, I want to bf for longer, but not a year. I'm just selfish about getting my body back too I guess. I used to have an eating disorder so I'm very uncomfortable with carrying extra weight, so I want to DIET as soon as the baby is out.

[LaurenBeth]

I don't mean to offend anyone or hurt any feelings when I say this, but....
I noticed a few remarks in reference wanting to lose weight but can't while breastfeeding. You can still lose weight and nurse. Nothing is stopping you from eating healthy and exercising. You just have to make sure you take in extra (healthy) calories to cover the nursing. It shouldint hinder you weight lose.

As far as just "getting your body" back (i.e. wearing the clothes you want bc it does not have to BF -friendly), allowing to have caffiene, alcohol, etc. if you want, etc... I completely understand that!!! I have to say it was nice to get to wear my sexy bras again!!

[luvmysailor81904]

I breastfed until he was 6 months old. I would have gone longer but the milk just wasn't coming in. I went to Vegas for the weekend and left my pump at home (had to pump myself- HORRIBLE expierence ) and after coming home- I was dry. I hope to breastfeed longer with the next one though

[mara_jade81]

Madison weaned herself just about a week before she turned one. I have slowed down a bit with Hayden, he's more interested in table foods but I still nurse him a few times a day. I plan to until he's one unless he weans himself before that.