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I know I have always been told that breastfeeding/breast milk is best, but at what point has your baby got the benefits and it is ok to switch over to formula?

I don't like nursing after baby is about 10 months old, even though fanatics say that some countries nurse until the age of 3.  I prefer to stick with local customs as much as possible!

My son is a toddler and I breast fed for as long as I could.... after a few months I couldn't take the pain anymore and quit! I figure I tried and did my duty as a good mom feeding him but the pain was just excruciating! My friend reccommended that I try this for when my twins arrive:

Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump w/ Carry All Bag

My sister nursed her twins until they were about 8 month sold and never used a breast pump. She said that keeping all of the conatiners clean was more trouble than just setting aside nursing time!

LOL

I plan to breastfeed my son for as long as I can but it seems like my milk just dried off when he was about six months. So far, I think that small period of breastfeeding helped a lot. He is now six years old and has been sick only twice.

I think nursing until he/she is at least 1 provides the baby with optimal nutrition.  I think the American Association of Pediatric recommends 2 years old.  But, I think that 1 is a good age to stop, depending on the child.

I don't think there is one set "right" answer for this; it depends on the individual. Also bear in mind that notw all women feel comfortable with breast feeding nor can all women breastfeed and there is no shame in that, just be sure the baby receives the best nutrition you can provide however you can provide it.

I think that is a personal preference.  I do have to say that I can't stand it when I see someone breastfeeding a child that can talk and ask for it.   At that time it is time to stop!

As other have said there is no right answer. I nursed my son for 15 months until I got pg with this baby. Nursing an older kids is much, much different that nursing a newborn. He'd nurse in the morning and night and then eat solids throughout the day.

The benefits of breastfeeding however don't stop at a certain age. It is not like you have to nurse for 3 months to get the benefits. Breastmilk is seriously amazing. It changes as your baby changes. It changes to fit his/her needs. In the early days it is loaded with more fat and protein so your baby grows nice and chunky. As they get older it changes then too. It also changes for other things too. If you are getting sick your milk starts to product antibodies to help protect the baby.  It provides good gut flora for baby and is sooooo much easier on the digestion.

I am not going to bash formula or people who feed their babies with formula. But I will say that formula is NOT similar to breastmilk. Formula companies use that as a marketing ploy... they are two very different things. If you do want to breastfeed and have to go back to work or something there are states have laws that protect that right.... in regards to getting breaks for pumping. And in the worst case scenario it doesn't have to be all or nothing. I have several friends who breastfed, provided pumped milk and gave their child formula.

Good luck in making this work for you!

P.S. after the first month if you are in pain while breastfeeding see a lactation consultant (LC). Attend classes before having the baby and if you birth in a hospital request the LC to come and assist you in getting a good latch from the start.