https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 25 Jun 2026 20:17:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for/page/2#post-558653 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:28:12 +0000 mamabolt 558653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My initial goal was a year, but recently it's really started to wear on me (I think a business trip of pumping round the clock wore me down). So I'm setting a shorter term goal of making it to nine months and then we'll see how it's going. At that point I may drop a pumping session and rely on my freezer stash if I'm coming up short with her daily needs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for/page/2#post-558627 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:08:10 +0000 lomom 558627@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My goal is a year but we'll see! I'll be back to work after 12 weeks and who knows how pumping with work out... There's definitely a conference room available for me to use but I go to clients' offices pretty frequently and I don't know what arrangements I'll be able to make there. It may wind up being pumping in the bathroom and then dumping it :( I'm hoping to build up a solid freezer stash during maternity leave but we'll see how that goes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for/page/2#post-558599 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 08:44:05 +0000 LulaBee 558599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When I was pregnant I just wanted to make it to 6 months. BF has gone really well for us, despite some supply issues with pumping and going back to work, and she's still EBF (plus solids). I hope to make it to a year, then let her self wean. She's a big comfort nurser though, so who knows when she will want to stop. I may need sleep before then! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558552 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 07:32:02 +0000 anonysquire 558552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No kids yet but I think I would like to try for a year. But I will probably go back to work a month or two after I have a baby so I will be pumping mostly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558551 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 07:29:08 +0000 tequiero21 558551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My goal was 6 months, then 9 months. Now, just less than 2 more months til it's a year! I will not do more than a year except to wean off! I am counting the days. So is my hubby. He's been telling me to wean off since 9 months. He wanted me to go 6. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558469 Sun, 10 Feb 2013 00:09:17 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 558469@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm at 4 months of exclusively pumping. I still dream of breastfeeding when he gets out of the NICU, but who knows. I will be happy if we go 6 months, but I feel like I could probably do a year...we will see. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558398 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 22:17:41 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 558398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Beebug: i have a friend who did 3 months with her first and decided with her second to stop after 5 weeks because she felt it was too much to handle while taking care of both her kids alone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558332 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:20:23 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 558332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went 17 months with my oldest (she self weaned when I was 3 months pregnant). Wonder Baby is 12 months and going strong, if she's still nursing at two years I'll have to think about it, but I'm hoping she just self weans like her sister did! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558324 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:14:00 +0000 Beebug 558324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Anyone else's bf'ing goals get shorter? Hahaha.</p> <p>I thought 6 months in early days, but when we she arrived set short term must make goals. LO is 3.5 months and I'm ready to quit anytime...... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558319 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:02:23 +0000 owlmom 558319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>While I was pregnant, my goal was one year. I had a really difficult time breastfeeding in the beginning, so my goal became to "make it just one more day." We're still going strong at almost 16 months. I hope to be down to just two nursing sessions per day at 18 months, and we'll probably keep those sessions until she's 2-ish. </p> <p>In the US at least, the majority of women aren't still bf-ing at a year - according to the CDC, only 25.5% of women are still bf-ing at 12 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558307 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 20:49:53 +0000 Kemma 558307@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've had our fair share of struggles with breastfeeding (delay in my milk coming in, bad latch, lip and tongue tie, thrush) but my first aim is one year and beyond that I'm ok with LO self-weaning.</p> <p>It's funny because a few Mum's I know are quite squeamish about "extended" breastfeeding yet are still giving their babies a bottle beyond twelve months! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558305 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 20:47:39 +0000 blackbird 558305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Six months is my goal. I go back to work at 14 weeks so I want to pump for a few months but i see it just becoming too much of a hassle and I don't want to be tied to a pump. But I am open to pumping longer if it is smooth sailing. I think I will want my body back, though. </p> <p>And I don't want to set a lofty goal and be disappointed, so I think six months is realistic :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558304 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 20:46:29 +0000 birdofafeather 558304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i'd like to make it to a year as well. we're only coming up to 1 month here, but it's going well so far. i'll be pumping come april and going back to work, so it will be a bigger challenge at that point! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558303 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 20:43:27 +0000 lovehoneybee 558303@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My arbitrary goals were/are: 4wks, 12wk, 4 months, 6 months, 8 months and 1 year. Anything past a year is lagniappe. If he hasn't already I'll probably start to wean around 18 months. Maybe. I don't really know yet, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558297 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 20:38:52 +0000 Mrs. Pen 558297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I set goals with the option to continue moving forward if mutually desired.</p> <p>One year was my absolutely I "must" make it goal. Now that it's been a year, my next goal is 18 months, then see how we're doing it. He's already started to drop nursing sessions as he eats more solids so who knows he may wean himself by then and since I made it to a year that's fine. </p> <p>But I'm willing to go to 18 mos, and then ultimately to 24 months. I think once we get to 18 months I might start pumping instead (depending on how it's going), because I really don't want to deal with any potentially awkward public situations with him lifting my shirt or obviously asking for it (which is why I'm just calling it MILK. </p> <p>I'm not necessarily opposed to extended breastfeeding but I don't know how I feel about doing it myself. I would be willing to continue to pump just once a day for 3-4 years even, just to give him that extra little "boost" of nutrients :) </p> <p>We'll see how things go! I'm pretty open to anything at this point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558273 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 20:21:24 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 558273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Grace: i've definitely thought about that too! i am so lucky to have a year mat leave, and if i had to go back to work after 3 months, i can't say what i would do. even though i have a good pump and i pump a bottle every morning just for the heck of it (DH gives me a break on weekends and i find it easier to bring a bottle when we go out for a few hours), i can't imagine having to pump so much at work all the time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558202 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 18:44:28 +0000 Ree723 558202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went in with the big goal of 6 months, but realistically started out with small goals (first goal - colostrum, next goal - 6 weeks, then 3 months etc). DD is currently 7.5 months and still EBF + solids. Whilst I would like to hit a year, we are thinking about our next one and I'm not sure whether or not I'll be able to keep it up whilst pregnant. I've already hit my goal so I'm pretty happy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558192 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 18:23:13 +0000 mrskc 558192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I want to make it to a year and beyond. Possibly let him self wean... Whenever that will be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558183 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 17:49:24 +0000 Grace 558183@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm going to shoot for a year, if all goes well (I have a year mat leave). I don't know if I could be as dedicated as some if the mamas on this site if I had to pump. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558174 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 17:36:07 +0000 Periwinkle 558174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are currently at 3 months and I am loving the experience. My current goal is to get to one year but I am nervous since I am back at work and pumping now. Hoping I can keep going with breastfeeding as I love it, most of the time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558165 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 17:23:21 +0000 Mrsbells 558165@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we plan to wean at 12 months. This wa smy original goal whilst pregnant but I wasnt sure if I would make it that far, I didnt want to pump at work so I decided to just set a mini goal of 3 months and then 6 months. we currently still breastfeeding at 9.5 months </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558159 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 17:20:42 +0000 DillonLion 558159@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>6 months is my current goal (it started out as just : I will breastfeed at the next time she is hungry, then a week, 2 weeks, a month, 2 months and now the goal is 6 months. That will be three full months of pumping 3x a day at work and once we've reached thay goal I will reasses and either set a new goal, or stop with as little guilt as I can if I'm ready to wean. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558140 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 16:48:06 +0000 MegWag 558140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to say when kids had teeth they should stop. That was before I was even married. After I was pregnant, I always planned a year. My son is nearing a year and has 7 lovely teeth. He still nurses about 3-4x/day. I don't feel any need to stop, so as of right now, I'm planning to let him self-wean.</p> <p>I also found that people here were surprised that I was going to go beyond 6 months, but I don't see any reason to go to formula. Breastfeeding rates are really low here in the UK, so maybe they say 6 months to try to encourage people and make it seem more do able </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558134 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 16:25:34 +0000 sarac 558134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurpleUnicorn: for a long time now I've been doing 'don't offer don't refuse'. When she asks, if its an appropriate time, I nurse her. Mostly to sleep now, since my supply dropped a few weeks ago. She'll ask when she's hungry and I just tell her no we're having lunch instead. I imagine one day she'll jut lose interest totally, but that's a long way off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558043 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 13:48:10 +0000 Silva 558043@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm pregnant now, but my goal is 18 months minimum. I really hope it works for me! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558036 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 13:40:20 +0000 duckduckkristen 558036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been BFing for 9 months and am about ready to stop (I'm 10 weeks pregnant and it's just a little too much for me) but LO won't take a bottle so as long as my supply stays up I will be BFing him until he is a year or so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-558010 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 13:11:22 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 558010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@creativemomma15: don;t apologize! you just me the great idea of using frozen milk after i wean! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-557994 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 12:58:49 +0000 creativemomma15 557994@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My goal has been a year full time and then to transition to just morning and night nursing. But, we are starting to talk about TTC #2 and I am not sure if I will completely wean after he turns one or not. I am open to nursing while pregnant, but know that it would make it harder to get pregnant and even have enough milk to do it so we will see. I also have an entire chest freezer full of frozen milk that we will give him after he weans, so that makes me feel better about weaning him shortly after he turns 1. Sorry for the tangent! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-557989 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 12:52:39 +0000 Weagle 557989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurpleUnicorn: I think she'll just spend less and less time nursing and eventually just stop. She's not much of a comfort nurser anymore. Even now she's not overly eager to nurse like she was, say, a month ago. I'll eventually stop offering it to her, and I don't think she'll ask for it much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-long-do-you-plan-to-breastfeed-for#post-557985 Sat, 09 Feb 2013 12:48:45 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 557985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sarac: @Weagle: how do you think you will know when your LO self-weans? i hadn't thought of that option before, i figured i would just ask our pedi when can he have regular milk like the rest of us and wean him then. </p>