After a very rocky start, I've loved and still love breastfeeding my son, who's just turned 1. I've decided that, as long as he wants to, I want to continue to breast feeding until he's about 2ish.
The thing that's really getting me down lately is peoples ignorance to breastfeeding and the fact that ever since my baby was born (although I know lots of mums and babies) I am the only one that breastfeeds.
It's so upsetting, even close friends and family of mine (not all but most) think that my extended breast feeding and part (half the night) co sleeping is to the detrement of my son. I have had so many 'what are you doing? You'll make him clingy and dependant....I could go on.'
I know lots of mums and babies and have always been the only breast feeder. I am doing what I am doing because I'm following my baby's lead, giving him nuture and comfort. I've seen how we both benefit, but when I try to explain where I'm coming from, no-one understands.
I know it's hard at the start and it can be difficult with going back to work etc, but why do so few people breast feed and why do those who do have to defend their actions from people who haven't done it and don't understand it???
Sorry, rant over. Just feel like I'm the only one extended breast-feeding and part co-sleeping.
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Lonely Breastfeeder - It's getting me down.
cheeseypeas · 03/05/2006 22:48
Oh, CP, you sound so sad 
There are plenty of people on here who breastfeed and plenty more who breastfeed and struggle with people's reactions to it.
There are two people who need to be comfortable with you feeding - you and DS. Other people - they probably will comment, but frankly, if they do, they'd probably comment about something else that you were doing that they weren't keen on. In some ways it's easier if you keep bfeeding so you don't find out what other areas these idiots think you're lacking in as they'll stick to that as a topic 
Seriously though, having bfed DS1 till nearly 17m and now bfeeding DS2 who is 15wo and will do until he self-weans - if other people have a problem with it, then it's their problem.
There is a school of thought that says that if you meet a child's needs when they're little, it gives them the solid foundation and the confidence to go out into the world and explore it - it makes sense to me.
Your DS knows you love him and will be there for him - I think there's too much emphasis placed on making children fiercely independent from the word go.
Chin up and be very proud for what you're doing. And feel free to use my "change the subject very obviously" technique for interfering idiots, family member or friend... It goes a little something like this:
Moron: "You're not still breastfeeding that huge child, are you?!"
Me: "You're not still poking your nose in where it's not needed, are you? Now, who would like a cup of tea?"
psml hunker! love that response.
Got talking to a student of mine the other week about our respective children. I mentioned I was still bf and she said, having misunderstood his age earlier in the conversation: 'at 17 months?!' with a 
look on her face. I said 'he's 11 months' and she said 'well, that's alright then' wtf?!?
Agree with your disagreeing respectfully, LeahE - I think it's good to talk about bfeeding older children - often people's gut reaction to it is "Nooo, a big child sucking your nipples, you weird freaky creature!". Either that or "OMG, did you see that programme?" Er, yes, and
I have had several light convos with people about bfeeding an older child - I don't harp on about it (honest, Jools, I don't ), but I do find that people are genuinely interested and I've often had people saying "Oh, right, I didn't realise that" about some of the benefits, etc. Or I just say it gave me an extra 10 minutes in bed in the morning - most people understand that one
i just relaise, i dont know any 'extended' breastfeeders in real life. i must shock some people when giving dd3 her mid morning feed in town, she is getting big now lol. i also part co-sleep with all my children. i go to bed alone but wake with them all in there most mornings. dd3 often uses dd2 tummy as a pillow 
Think the definition is often past 6m, Dinny.
Misdee...you know me
Cheeseypeas, I can really relate to how you are feeling, I was 20 and breastfeeding, I didn't have any friends my age who had babies, the only mums I met through playgroups etc were older and bottle feeding and I constantly felt I had to defend what I was doing.
I've co-slept with both of my boys, (and currently co-sleeping with DD, I love having a baby in bed with me! ) DS1 would never go to sleep on his own, would wake through the night and I felt I could never say anything about it as it would validate all of the 'rod for my own back' comments
Ds2 co-slept as well and goes to bed a 7 every night without fail an not a peep put of him all night.
I think one is a good sleeper, the other isn't and it doesn't have anything to do with breastfeeding, its just how they are.
Did you ever see the Are you an avid brestfeeder thread on here? I think it would be worth doing a search for and read other mum's positive experiences, so many of the posts made me go 'aah'
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Glad MN could help, CP. More extended bfeeders ready to bolster per square inch than anywhere else on the web, possibly
I just don't get why it's anybody else's business - am totally puzzled that people can be so rude! Mind you, am quite sure people who are rude about bfeeding are also as openly rude about loads of other things too - it's just Not A Very Nice Way To Go On, IMO.
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