How Long is Too Long?

Question: I was wondering since Jude is/almost is one are you going to continue to bf? if so for how long?

Answer: This is a Question I struggle with myself. Jude turned 1 last week and obviously I'm not going to flip some switch and BAM he'll be done right away. These kinds of things generally take a little time.

Part of me is totally ready to stop breast feeding right now. I've given it a year which is a lot more than some people would ever have done. I'd like the freedom to not feel like I need to come home on lunch breaks for a feeding (I never feel like I 'have' to, but just that it'd make life easier if I did). I'd like the freedom to drink something with a little alcohol without wondering "am I going to have to feed Jude soon?", I'm considering getting a tattoo, want to give blood, I want normal bras, I want to wear a dress without wondering "how can I nurse comfortably?... and although I'm not ready for a night away from Jude, without breastfeeding, the option is there.

I failed to mention that at Jude's most recent check up, I was heavily encouraged to discontinue nursing. Basically, the doctor said he recommends making the switch to cow's milk at one year because it allows Jude to get the vitamin D he needs that breast milk does not provide (in short: he thinks it's healthier to switch now). He also said that nursing beyond one year has no real 'nutritional value', but instead is more of a security for the child. In my opinion, Jude spends more than enough time outside, so vitamin D is the least of my worries.

Knowing that WHO and LLL and a number of other groups would advocate at least 2 years, I did a little research. I've come to the conclusion that for the most part he is correct. A lot of information for nursing past the first year really indicates that the benefit is the bond for mother and baby. There is a lot of information that discusses the soothing affects on mother from the hormones released during nursing (which apparently helps with patience and loving a crazy kid running around). There's information about the positive feeling a child gets from having a 'base' to lean on after he's done exploring the world around him - which can make him more independent. There's a lot of talk about how comforting it is for an upset child... etc.

I totally get it all. I know when I walk in from work, the second Jude sees me his face lights up. He'll stop what he's doing, come crawling over to me, and reach for me to pick him up. The second he's in my arms, the thumb goes in his mouth and his hand goes down my shirt. It is perfectly clear that my breasts ARE his comfort spot. It's perfectly clear that although he's totally happy exploring the world around him, there's nothing quite like mommy's arms.

However, a lot of information also indicates that nursing beyond the first year continues to reduce the chance of cancer (in bother mother and child), continues to give your child natural antibodies and all around provides for a healthier toddler. Some information mentioned that in many cases a sick baby will nurse when rejecting all other food.

All of this information still has not given me a solid end date. I've made it to one year and from here it's a day-by-day process (really the whole thing has been pretty day by day). There are days when I tell myself 'that's it!'. Jude will skip one usual nursing time without a problem and I decide that from that day on I will not nurse him between breakfast and lunch... or before bed... or whatever the case may be that particular day. But alas, we wake up the next morning, Jude will be especially cuddly and who am I to deny such a beautiful baby boy what he wants most?

It's safe to say that I will be done nursing Jude by the time he's two... but at what point between now and then... I'm just not sure.