Comments about ‘First birthday brings changes, fond farewells’

Why do you feel you must wean after your baby turns one? If you will miss it and your baby will miss it then why wean? That doesn't make any sense. The World Health Organization says "Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond." Just sayin'.....

I'm a little confused as to why you feed the need to wean your baby at a year when you admit you enjoy breastfeed and that it is still a great bonding experience for both of you? Are you weaning becuase you believe your supposed to wean at a year or is it due to pressure from others around you such your DH, family, doctors, etc. to wean? The AAP recommends a minimum of one year of breastfeeding but also recommends you continue AS LONG THEREAFTER as mutually desired by the mother and child. Just about every other major health org. among Western countries supports extended breastfeeding too. Contrary to what you may have heard, there are still both nutritional and immunological benefits to breastfeeding beyond a year and absolutely no evidence of any harm. Some claim if you don't wean at 1 you'll never wean or or least not for many years but I know plenty of extended breastfeeding moms who have demonstrated that that is a myth. Remember that your the mother and thus you and your child alone should decide when to wean not society, friends, family, or the child's doctor.