Proud to BF but feel ashamed

[threechooks]

I love feeding my 13 month old DS and believe it is the best thing for him. We are down to 3 feeds a day and sometimes once overnight. Whenever I mention it to other mothers at work, I get horrified looks and comments such as "You must be crazy" and "Your child won't become independant" I am torn between sharing my BF experiences with other women in order to promote BF (cause I'm very passionate about it) and constantly being the butt of jokes and hurtful comments. I would never criticize another woman's parenting choices yet BF seems to be an easy target. I don't want my BF'ing to be a 'dirty secret' tucked away in a private room but I also want it to be seen as normal and natural. Am I asking too much? Any thoughts?

[michelleB]

He is only 13 months its not like he is 5!!! if its working for you, then good on you! You should never feel ashamed about any choices you make for your child. I breastfed until DD was 12 months, then it just trickled to a stop. thats what worked for us. Other mums at my mums group are still going with no thoughts of slowing down yet. I wouldnt want to be getting into any heated debates with anyone (esp at work) about it, but you should be proud, not ashamed! And not that you need to justify your choice, but you can always remind them how much money you are saving AND how you can eat as many biscuits as you like without gaining any weight....

[jayraa]

i find there is so much pressure from others to conform to "normals" (i.e. what others did for their births / parenting choices) and no enough acceptance and support out there!! If it works for you both - go for it.

Just checked out the ABA webite: Below link is an article with BF older toddler facts to let you know your not alone!
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/toddler.html
The next link talks about weaning - the first line under the When to Wean subtitle: "This is a very personal decision..." says it all: http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/weaning.html

[threechooks]

ta Jayraa I am an active member of the ABA and love it I get support from them but it is easy to be supported by like minded people

[mumto2puddles]

I blurt it out at any opportunity and g-d forbid anyone make me feel wrong or anything for feeding DD. She's 15 1/2 months and I am so damned proud of myself andd her that if you stand still long enough I'll tell you too..

Be Proud. Be Loud..........

what a wonderful thing you are doing foryour baby - lets face it, they still are........


EDIT you should see peoples faces whe they findout that I'mpregnant and BFing. Moreso when they findout I plan to tandem BF until DD is at least 24months. She'll be 21 months when #3 comes along...

[anewme]

my bub is 11mths now and couldn't image stopping any time soon. Good on you for feeding him no matter what other think. as mum's we know what's best for our kids. I know I'll be feeding for along yet.

[Mum&bubs]

Hugs honey Some people have tried to make me feel like this too but your baby is only 13 months old!! Still.A.BABY!! So, I seriously have no idea why they are calling you crazy? They sound pretty crazy to me

Just keep doing what you love doing, it's your own personal choice. And if they say something again just try to educate them, maybe they are just a bit uneducated on breastfeeding and not know that it is infact very normal

[proudpublicbreastfeeder]

Dont feel ashamed! And dont worry about the others that are trying to make you feel bad - just let them know about all the health benefits you are giving your bub, the WHO reccommends BF until your child is 2 years and beyond! Anecdotally, my mum BF my little sister until she was almost 3! - she has grown up to be an intelligent and INDEPENDANT young woman, dux of her school in year 12,speaks Japanese as well as english, has worked as a volunteer in a leper colony in Thailand and is basically very well rounded. Healthwise she's great too, hardly ever sick. My brother was also BF longer than what is considered normal and again, never gets sick. He flew halfway across the world to a country with no job lined up, no friends and made a new life for himself - hardly the clingy mammas boy type as some people try to tell us you get if you BF for too long. I on the other hand was only BF until 12 weeks, then put on solids ( that was popular back then). allergies, athsma, constant childhood illnesses....brestfeeding for longer really does make a positive difference.

I think you should be very proud of yourself!

[2littlemonkeys]

if you are still BF your bub at 8 as i recently saw on a tv show repost this and will have an opinion then hahahaha, good on you :-)

[Freya]

He's a tiny baby for gods sake. That is ridiculous. Good on you for still feeding him.