Is it just a societal norm? (Breastfeeding related)

Did it? Why do you think we have 2 breasts?

@HillbillyBackstroke Some of the issue (not all, of course) is that many women make the choice not to breastfeed at all. That's of course entirely up to them, even if it isn't something we would choose for our children.
And nobody tells you that it can be incredibly painful for the first days and even few weeks and that's actually quite normal - I've had three and fed them all for years and each time I was.determined to grit my teeth for a while in the knowledge it would get better.

If anyone is genuinely interested in the low rates of breastfeeding in this country and the reasons behind this (and how society can help improve breastfeeding rates), I would recommend reading Breastfeeding Uncovered by Amy Brown.

I’m reading it and it’s fascinating! I’m breastfeeding my DS as I type and it’s really encouraged me to try to continue for as long as I can

I have to eye roll at the whole ‘breast is best’ malarkey. Yes, on a purely scientific level it is the preferable option, but that doesn’t make it the best choice for all families. If it’s going to make the mother uncomfortable, negatively impact her mental health, if she doesn’t have the time to dedicate to being trapped on the sofa EBF because of older children etc then it isn’t the best choice for their family. It’s not as though you can pick out the breastfed kids from the formula fed kids. Some of my friends EBF, some FF, you can’t tell the difference!

I do find it odd how judgemental some people are of EBF. My mum was constantly asking when I was going to stop after DD hit 6 months and couldn’t understand why I was still doing it after a year. The simple answer was that it worked for our family!

Thankfully I’ve never experienced any negativity from BF in public but if I ever do, I’ll ask them if they want any 😂

Breastfeeding is great if it works for both mothers and babies, but when it comes to breastfeeding a child past the age of two or so, I always think of this piece:

https://mommyish.com/my-mom-breastfed-me-until-age-three-and-i-wish-she-hadnt-445/

I went back to work full-time when DD was 5 months old and I fed her until she was nearly 3.

I actually went vegan when I was breast feeding my children. Was vegetarian before. I still don’t drink milk but am back on cheese.
We don’t need the milk of other mammal as adults.

There is nothing to think about - DC’s are mid 20’s and perfectly healthy. We made the right decision for them. It’s only on Mn how you fed your baby is discussed - in real life it’s one tiny decision you make as a parent and no one else is interested or concerned.
I couldn’t tell you whether DS’s girlfriend or DD boyfriend or the friends they had growing up were breast fed as it doesn’t matter or make any difference.

Of course it can be a selfish choice - sometimes it’s explicitly so - perhaps have a think why that might be the case?

The fact of the matter is this...breast is best. For both baby (nutritionally and protective health-factor wise) and for mother (protective health-factor wise). That is fact - there simply is no point arguing it.
I "extended" breastfed all three of mine and couldn't care less what other people thought/think. Ultimately, I was giving my children the best start in life.

I breastfed my eldest to 20 months and think it’s completely beautiful, however I completely understand why some women struggle with it and why some women feel uncomfortable about it. We are in a society that sexualises breasts, we are constantly seeing breasts as sexual and only rarely do we see breastfeeding. It’s not on individual women, it’s everywhere in media and wider society. It’s understandable that some people find it difficult to see boobs as for babies.

To answer your question OP, anyone who thinks cows milk is better is delusional. I was fascinated to find out all about breastmilk when I was pregnant, it is truly amazing. It's not a societal norm at all, it's a UK thing (breastfeeding stat's are appalling) and more so, it's a MN thing.

This is not true

Using formula by choice is not selfish or giving your babies a poor start in life. There is no getting around it.
I have healthy DC’s as proof.

It was one person, who had an illuminating posting history.

But sometimes it is done for selfish, not medical, reasons. There’s no getting around that.

I feed my first baby until she was 9mths old and felt pressure to give up as apparently swapping to a cup or bottle is so easy 🙄.... I fed my next baby until he was 18mnths, They both felt like my babies, stopping feeding my daughter was horrid. When I say I fed my son until he was 18ths it was literally one bedtime feed and he was still my little baby in my eyes.

You obviously haven’t seen the threads where those of us who chose to use formula are criticised for being selfish, bad parents, giving your babies a poor start in life - basically a load of rubbish!

Yes, so ridiculous 🙄

In a lot of cultures which are still living in more traditional ways age gaps are around 3-4 years due partly to breastfeeding and this gap is considered the best for children.

I've only seen anti BF comments on MN. Breast is best, many on here can't or won't breastfeed and seem to resent those who do.

Wow people were saying it was odd for a 6 month old to still be breastfed??

Yep the human 'norm' would be carrying/feeding on demand for the first maybe 2-3 years or so and then having another baby. So typically 3-5 years between babies.
Chimpanzees breastfeed for 4-5 years and Orangutans for 6-7 years.

I hate dummy's for toddlers lots of research on the damage they do.

It's purely a sex thing.
Breasts are seen as sexual in current society rather than for feeding infants. Society kind of makes an exception for a few months after birth and then when people see breasts they think sex.
It makes people feel uncomfortable that a 6/12/24 month old is involved in something they primarily see as 'for sex'.