I was at the gym today and was asked by a lady in my class, who's a fellow mom, if I was still breastfeeding. I of course said "yes" and she was impressed, and then asked if I gave him formula too. When I said "no" she was rather surprised, especially at the fact that he doesn't use a bottle anymore...Why is that???
I know breastfeeding is hard, but why do people act so shocked or like it's a bad thing if your baby is still breastfed after 6 months? It's like the next question in their mind is, "Are you going to wean them at a year?". As if, I would let my kid be one of those 4 year olds who can come lift mom's shirt and ask for milk.
It makes me wonder if most moms don't set out to be successful at breastfeeding in the first place? Like they all expect to fail. That is so sad to me. I set out with the intention of nursing Kyle till a year. I almost gave up many times and had to supplement for a short time around 5 months but I pressed on and am so proud of all I have accomplished.
I really wish more moms would be optimistic about breastfeeding and start with the mindset that they will succeed. Yes things happen outside of their control that prevent them from continuing, but many moms just give up. I try to encourage all my friends who are breastfeeding to continue on even when it get's tough. I've thought about studying to become a lactation consultant...do you think I would make a good one?
Park City Utah
2 years ago
5 comments:
I think you would be a GREAT lactation consultant Steph! I agree about the general attitude toward breastfeeding! I think there is so much misinformation about how hard or inconvenient it is. I know when I set out I swore that NOTHING would stop me from nursing for AT LEAST a year! I really think it is all about determination! I never got why mom's who could would choose not to, after all when you look at the bottom line breastfeeding is COMPLETELY FREE and you have it with you always! When did breastfeeding for a year + make you such a hippie? lol
I started to wean AJU5 just shy of 1 year (finished by 15 months). I plan on going at least 1 year with AJU6. I think moms who have to pump (because they go back to work or the baby won't nurse) normally give up around 6 months because it is so much work for them. But, I think bfing is easier than formula/bottle feeding. The only time it is hard is when you are out and about, and as they get older you can schedule things a lot better to avoid "issues."
Good for you committing to breastfeeding! It is the best! I am shocked to hear your experience, considering your son is younger than 1....I've heard other friends get the same reaction when breastfeeding their toddlers. Times have changed...
When I first started having children, breastfeeding for the first full year was strongly encouraged. I think the advocates really did a disservice with their strict rules campaign..."no pacifier, no bottles, ever, or else you fail!!!!" That really turned women away, because Moms need flexibility for their lives.
As a result, I have only met one lactation consultant who was nice, and not militant. I've received better support from veteran Moms at church who have breastfed their kids.
When delivering my last 2 children, the nurses at the hospital lamented to me that many Moms don't even try to breastfeed anymore. That is sad. It would be nice if Moms could learn about the benefits of breastfeeding in a supportive, non judgmental way....and if Moms could be encouraged to work out the kinks, because it really doesn't come naturally easy to everyone.
I value breastfeeding so much, that I praise any Mom for breastfeeding for as long as she does, whether that is 2 days, 6 months, 1 year, or even 2 years.
Well as a Mom that tried very hard to breastfeed and was unsuccessful I have a different view of this. I was bound and determined to breastfeed my daughter for a year but sadly this did not happen. She was in the NICU for 5 days after she was born because she was so jaundiced. This was incredibly difficult. I stayed with her all day (from 7am-10pm) so I could nurse her. (I was encouraged to come home at night and sleep as I am a single mom and would easily wear out from not having the extra support.) I woke up every two hours at home to pump but would only get about 2 ounces total. Between the stress of having my newborn in the NICU, etc. my milk supply was very low. I worked at end with a wonderful lactation specialist and did many different things to try and build my supply up but it was unsuccessful. I had to suppliment with formula from day 1. At 7 weeks, despite all my efforts, my milk completely dried up. This was very hard for me as I really wanted to breastfeed. I was very depressed about the situation and felt like I failed as a Mommy when in reality there was nothing more I could have done. I had MANY people look down on me because I wasnt breastfeeding anymore. There is such a stigma around not breastfeeding. I even had one mom tell me that I wasnt doing the best I could for my daughter by not breastfeeding her. (I didnt feel I needed to explain to anyone my story.) If, and this is a BIG if, I ever have another child I will try again. I will do EVERYTHING I can to breastfeed. I just pray if I have another child my body will cooperate! I give kudos to moms that can breastfeed for an entire year...it is hard work!
Thank you all for your views on this. Especially you Anonymous. Great job for bf'ing for 7 weeks! That is such an accomplishment. Any amount of breastmilk our babies get is awesome.
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