18 Months of Breastfeeding: A Journey I Never Expected

If you had told me a few years ago that I would still be breastfeeding at 18 months, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.

Between the NICU experience with my first baby, the mixed feeding journey with my second, and the overwhelming early weeks with my third, breastfeeding always felt complicated and uncertain.

But somehow, here we are.

Eighteen months later, still nursing.

Not perfectly.

Not without challenges.

But with a lot of learning, patience, and moments of connection I never expected.

If you’re a mom wondering whether extended breastfeeding is normal, struggling through mastitis, feeling touched out, or unsure about when to wean… you’re not alone.

This is my honest breastfeeding journey.

My First Two Breastfeeding Experiences

My breastfeeding story actually started very differently with my first two boys.

When my firstborn arrived, he was taken straight to the NICU. Because of that, we never really got the chance to establish breastfeeding the way I had hoped. Latching didn’t work out, and that whole experience ended before it ever truly began.

When my second son was born, things went a little better. He breastfed, but we also supplemented with formula. That breastfeeding journey lasted about eight months.

When it ended, I remember feeling devastated.

I told myself that if I ever had another baby, I really wanted to make breastfeeding work.

Little did I know how much of a journey it would be.

The Overwhelm of Pumping and Feeding

When my youngest was born, I tried to do everything.

Pumping.

Feeding.

Building a freezer stash.

It quickly became overwhelming.

Trying to pump enough milk while also caring for a newborn was exhausting, and honestly, it started taking a toll on my mental health.

Around six weeks postpartum, I made a decision that changed everything.

I stopped pumping completely.

Instead, I decided to breastfeed exclusively on demand, following my baby’s cues.

At first, it felt a little scary because I didn’t have a freezer stash of milk. But then I realized something important: I was with my baby almost all the time anyway.

He would never really go without milk.

Once I let go of the pressure to pump and store milk, breastfeeding actually became much less stressful.

Let’s Talk About Mastitis (Because No One Warns You)

Then came mastitis.

And let me tell you — no one really prepares you for mastitis.

People might briefly mention it when you’re pregnant or starting your breastfeeding journey, but they don’t always explain how intense it can be.

So let me be that friend who tells you: mastitis is very possible when you’re breastfeeding.

Some things I learned along the way:

• Try to avoid cuts or cracks on your nipples

• Change your nursing pads frequently if you wear them

• Warm showers can help relieve soreness

• Keep nipple cream nearby at all times

Despite doing my best to be careful, I still got mastitis.

Five times.

Yes — five times.

Most of the time it happened when my baby was teething and accidentally nicked my nipples while nursing.

And let me tell you, it was not fun.

If you ever suspect mastitis, please get checked out by a doctor. Antibiotics are often needed, and untreated mastitis can become very serious.

Despite all of those challenges — the pumping stress, the learning curve, and the mastitis — we kept going.

What started as something overwhelming slowly turned into something that felt natural for both of us.

Breastfeeding Beyond 12 Months: Is It Normal?

Many moms are surprised to find themselves still breastfeeding after their baby turns one.

But extended breastfeeding is actually more common than many people realize.

Health experts say breastfeeding can continue as long as both mother and baby desire. Even after 12 months, breast milk still provides comfort, immune support, and nutrition alongside solid foods.

For many toddlers, nursing becomes less about full meals and more about:

• Comfort

• Bonding

• A quick snack

• Falling asleep

Every breastfeeding journey looks different, and there is no perfect timeline.

Some moms wean earlier.

Some continue into toddlerhood.

The most important thing is finding what works best for both you and your baby.

18 Months Later… and Still Nursing

Fast forward to today.

I never imagined I would be breastfeeding past 12 months.

But here we are — 18 months later — and I’m still nursing.

My toddler eats full meals now, of course. But he still nurses too.

Sometimes it’s for comfort.

Sometimes it’s a little snack.

Sometimes it helps him fall asleep.

Do I Plan to Wean?

Yes, I do plan to wean him eventually.

But if I’m being honest… I don’t fully know how yet.

I’ve read other moms’ stories and looked up different techniques, but for now I’m trying to follow his cues and take it one step at a time.

The Truth About Being Touched Out

One thing I will say is this:

Yes, I get touched out.

Sometimes really touched out.

Especially during my menstrual cycle when everything feels more intense and overwhelming.

There are moments when nursing feels like just too much.

But even on those hard days, I push through.

Looking Back on This Journey

When I look back on this entire breastfeeding journey, I realize it has been about so much more than just feeding my baby.

It has been patience.

It has been sacrificing.

It has been learning to trust my instincts as a mom.

There were hard days, moments when I felt completely touched out, and times I wondered if I should stop.

But there were also quiet moments of connection — the kind that only happen when you slow down and simply be present with your baby.

Those are the moments I will always remember.

To the mom on This Journey

If you’re a mom walking through this same breastfeeding journey — whether you’re six weeks in, six months in, or nursing a toddler like me — I see you.

I know the exhaustion.

I know the sacrifice.

I know the moments when you question if you can keep going.

You’re doing an incredible job.

Whenever you and your baby are ready to wean, everything will be okay.

At least that’s what I keep reminding myself too.

You Don’t Have to Do Motherhood Alone

Motherhood can feel isolating sometimes, especially in the postpartum years.

If you’re navigating breastfeeding, postpartum life, homeschooling, or just the messy middle of motherhood, I created a space just for moms like us.

A place for real conversations.

Faith-filled encouragement.

And moms supporting moms through every season.

If that sounds like something you need too, I’d love for you to join us inside the Messy Middle Circle, where perfection isn’t expected — but presence is celebrated.