Why We're Extended Breastfeeders

When Noah was born almost 4 weeks early, we had a ton of trouble with latching, engorgement, mastitis and the pressure to nurse every 90 minutes start to start for the first 5 weeks of his life. I was getting no sleep, and I wanted to quit at least six times a day. But I had a great husband who would remind me at 3 o'clock in the morning that breast milk was best for Noah and that it would get better. My mom and step-dad visited their local Le Leche League and helped me out. My good friend, Jo, also gave me constant support. Our doula made a post-baby house visit to help me pump and to help the baby latch. And once I got antibiotics after we realized 103 degree temperatures are not normal, breastfeeding was a piece of cake. It was so easy, and it made our baby so happy. I watched him grow in front of my eyes, and I promised him I would nurse him at least six months.

Six months was my original breastfeeding goal. I had heard a lot of different numbers. The World Health Organization's recommendation of 2+ years, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation of 1+ years, and I told myself six months would prove I cared enough. It wasn't as long as a year, but it was long enough in my mind. Then, when Noah was 10 weeks old, we took a family trip to California, and I nursed Noah on the beach while I had my feet in the ocean, and I promised Noah I would nurse him for a year. It all just progressed. And the more time we did it, the more I saw how good it was for Noah and the more I read up on breastfeeding, the more confident I felt, the easier it was to promise Noah and myself to continue.

When Noah was around a year old, we had an unplanned pregnancy, and Noah refused to breastfeed for about a week. I thought he was weaning because I didn't know I was pregnant. We found out we were pregnant, and Noah continued to not ask to breastfeed except a few times a day. The day I miscarried, Noah knew before I did, and he asked repeatedly to "nurse, nurse, nurse!"

A year came and went, and I looked up, and thought, "I had only planned to breastfeed a year." I had only planned to breastfeed a year, but Noah had other plans. And as a mom, it seemed totally ridiculous to force cow's milk on him when he was healthy and happy. It just didn't make sense to wean him. Maybe the World Health Organization was on to something?

So here we are going strong for about 19 months, and now, I say, I'll breastfeed Noah for two years unless he weans himself sooner. But I'm going to be honest and say, we'll take it day by day just like we've been doing all along.