Support with choices

[allysophia]

As many of you know I'm a PASSIONATE BF.. :rolleyes:

But I'm finding a bit of trouble getting my inlaws to be supportive of my extended BF choices. I love my inlaws, they are wonderful, lovely people, but always have little comments like: don't worry, you're job will be easier in a year when he weans. Whilst they offer him extra food, and have even suggested giving him water (not the end of the world, I know...) Etc. etc.

I dont want him to wean, and I want boobie to be the main source of food for at least another 6months.

How can I go about subtley telling them this? I drop hints that I want to extend bf, but it never really cements.

[Ashleigh<3]

It would be hard I imagine.

It sucks that people make subtle comments back so just be as blatant as you want to be.
I would tell them, "You know I love you, but I love breastfeeding too, so please support that".
Or if you're ever one on one with your family members explain to them that it hurts your feelings because you're so passionate about Breastfeeding and you dont go out of your way to belittle their choices.

We keep learning new things about how beneficial breastfeeding is for babies/toddlers/children, but not everyone is going to pick it up and abide by it.
But as long as they know how you feel and where your heart is there's no harm in explaining how you feel.

[Seekrit]

From when I realised I wanted to breastfeed until he weaned, I'd tell people - with a laugh "Heh... I think I'm going to be one of 'those people' who breastfeeds their baby well into their second year. hah!" in order for them to take it more lightly and not say anything to me about it :p

My dad makes the odd comment - but in jest - about how Little Britain I'm being :p :rolleyes:

[Pippi Longstocking]

Just get in first. Before they can drop those little comments, cr@p on about how breastfeeding will meet your babies needs completely at least for the first year, how it's great that you don't have to worry about making sure your baby has a drink of water because booby will provide enough hydration and how you can't wait to see the look on people's faces when you sit down to breastfeed your 4 year old. :D

[meme]

i agree, let them know how and why breastfeeding is so great and maybe the ABA booklet that is especially for grandparents would be a good one to let them see some information. available from the mothers direct website.

it's not really extended breastfeeding at all, it's just normal considering the world wide average for weaning is four years and katherine dettwylers research points to 7 years being in the top end age for human breastfeeding.
sustained breastfeeding maybe, instead of premature weaning.:detective:

of course the good ole WHO recommends breastfeeding exclusively for 6mths and then till two and so long as mother and child desire, they do this because it's really healthy for our kids and normal human infant behaviour.

[Mum&bubs]

I'm going through that at the moment with Summer. She's over 2 and people always comment me on WHY I'm still breastfeeding her, my reply back 'BECAUSE WE WANT TO & IT'S GOOD HER FOR' Why is it anyone else's business?

Just let them know now what your plans are for the future if possible, best to let them know early so they are not all shocked later on.

Your doing a great job and I love your positive outlook on extended breastfeeding :thumbsup:

[kymmy]

Its hard when the in laws don't understand/ My MIL always encouraged my kids to eat. They don't really say anything though except I think my MIL found breastfeeding strange at first (she was quite crass tbh). But now with 4 grandchildren all breastfeed she shes things differently.
Just try to show them what you want and in time it wioll make sense. In the meantime let them know that breastfeeding is important.

[~Emmylou~]

Me, I honestly wouldn't even bother explaining it.

I'm having horrid sleep issues with DS at the moment and I swear the next person who tells me to wean him is going to get a crack over the head. Everyone around me keeps saying "geez, you've fed him for nine months, that's long enough isn't it? Get some sleep!"
No one has much sympathy for me because they think I'm just being stubborn not weaning him.

I don't bother explaining to them why I dont' want to wean him because some people just don't want to hear it. Perhaps I should be more political about it (it's not like me to be so passive) but I'm too tired to be bothered :sleeping:

Do what you and bub want to do and don't let anyone else worry you ;)

[OjO]

My bubba is 10.5 months old & still breastmilk is his #1 food source.
I say be strong & firm & tell your in-law's you will wean your baby when your baby is ready & not a day before.

I was asked when I was going to wean Bubba & my reply was "ohh if at 4 he's still attached to the boob Ill see how thing's go & I'll start to think about weaning then"
Ive not been asked again.

[shed]

I just say that breastfeeding burns so many calories that I can eat what I want and not gain weight.

And if they think I am giving that up in a hurry they have rocks in their head :p

Sometimes I say "yeah, I'm weird" and I just laugh.

I have a sneaking suspicion that my two main detractors are a bit jealous. MIL and SIL.

I think alot of it comes from jealousy actually.

[Teto]

I was at a mother's group thing yesterday and one new mum there said that her own family are sooo prudish that they make her leave the room to breastfeed! Far out! Apparently her mother always says something like "oh, are you going to feed her? you'll be off to the bedroom then?"

Crazy!

I'm actually kinda looking forward to weaning. Breastfeeding (nearly 10 months now) has kinda sucked lol.

[Bearskin]

My MIL used to make me feed DD in another room for my 'comfort and privacy'. I had many comments from MIL about feeding DD and that she would be happier if DD was 'on the bottle'.

I went to the ABA website, purchased a 'Mums milk 4 me' T shirt for DD and she wore that all summer - I didn't bother saying anything else to IL's - the T shirt said it all! :)

[allysophia]

My MIL used to make me feed DD in another room for my 'comfort and privacy'. I had many comments from MIL about feeding DD and that she would be happier if DD was 'on the bottle'.

I went to the ABA website, purchased a 'Mums milk 4 me' T shirt for DD and she wore that all summer - I didn't bother saying anything else to IL's - the T shirt said it all! :)

I love it!