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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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To find breastfeeding a 2 yr and 3 month old unsettling and slightly repulsive?

326 replies

Thinkingpositively · 31/05/2013 23:23

I am guessing this thread might upset some people but really...? DH and i were shocked to learn someone we know is breastfeeding a child who can walk and speak and self determine...dh wouldn't discuss it over lunch...

OP posts:
HoHoHoNoYouDont · 31/05/2013 23:58

Yes, bitty in Little Britain where everyone looked in disgust at the 'older' child BFing. Made me think of the OP.

Salmotrutta · 31/05/2013 23:59

Can't be arsed to read replies.

But... Your DH couldn't discuss it over lunch?

Plus - "I'm not a parent yet"

So, here's my advice...

Bog off and read some stuff.

SirBoobAlot · 01/06/2013 00:00

Don't be a victim.

If you want to educate yourself, then do so. Google 'natural term weaning' or 'extended breastfeeding'. Don't start shrieking 'unsettling' and 'repulsive'.

OxfordBags · 01/06/2013 00:01

Shit, I'm so tired,but there's no way I can even consider going to bed until I can stop weeping with laughter at the idea that I might force my toddler to nurse against his will.

Seriously now, and trying to be gentle: OP, you don't have to consider Bfing - or not - an older child right now. If, and when you become a mother, and if, and when, you decide to breastfeed (or can do it), you will realise how tiny they are for a long time and, moreover, how much they love and really do need BFing once they can walk and talk, etc. It is so good for them, not just nutritionally, but emotionally. When your child can't sleep, or they have a tummy bug and can't keep anything but breastmilk down, or they are in pain or v ill, breastfeeding is practically a miracle-worker. I do worry for you that you are considering making a parent out of a man who is so shocked at someone doing something as utterly mundane, normal and healthy as nursing a young toddler that he is struck dumb over a meal. Very odd, misogynist, almost freakish attitude.

The World Health Organisation recommends that children are BFed for a minimum of 2 years. Every child, from the richest nation to the poorest. So many countries in the world would think it utterly bizarre to not be BFing a 2 yr old!

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 01/06/2013 00:01

Your DH.

nomoreminibreaks · 01/06/2013 00:02

OP before I had DS I didn't picture myself breastfeeding past the age of 1 but then again a lot of things turned out differently to how I'd imagined. I BFed him until he was 21 months. If becoming a mother taught me anything it's to stay open minded and there are lots of different ways to do things, all of which are right for someone. You might surprise yourself Smile

WouldBeHarrietVane · 01/06/2013 00:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Feenie · 01/06/2013 00:03

Yes, bitty in Little Britain where everyone looked in disgust at the 'older' child BFing. Made me think of the OP.

Yep - there it is. Glad you worked it out for yourself eventually.

Maryz · 01/06/2013 00:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Minifingers · 01/06/2013 00:04

OP - I forgive you for your culturally narrow squeamishness.

Breast feeding toddlers is NORMAL, just not in most Westernised countries since formula has become the norm for most babies over 6 weeks old.

usualsuspect · 01/06/2013 00:04

She was being sarky about the bitty thing.

Jeez

snowpuma · 01/06/2013 00:04

OP I expect you'll feel differently when you have your baby, you can't imagine BF until then. Then you'll see how amazing it is to be able to provide milk and comfort for your precious baby and support their nutritional needs. And you may well see this arbitrary cut-off age that lots of people have in their minds as just that: arbitrary.

usualsuspect · 01/06/2013 00:06

Well tbh I don't think many 2 year olds would still be drinking formula.

HoHoHoNoYouDont · 01/06/2013 00:06

At least you got it usual

IneedAyoniNickname · 01/06/2013 00:10

I got it HoHo, I'm Confused that anybody didn't!

PostmanPatAlwaysRingsTwice · 01/06/2013 00:12

usual no I wouldn't expect a 2yo to be drinking formula but what has that to do with a 2yo bfing? It's hardly the same thing.

Thinkingpositively · 01/06/2013 00:12

I don't know, Postmanalwaysringstwice I guess I imagine i'll gradually stop breastfeeding when little person starts on solids and is up and about being a separate little being. Who knows....

I really didn't have a clue it was such a heated issue...crikey. Thanks chillin* I will read the article....

Who ever said about social conditioning is probably right. I'm not a fucking awful person and don't deserve a shit load of abuse...fair enough being offended by my repulsion but the backlash is unnecessary..., i'm new to being a parent and have lived in a pretty much baby free vacuum for years and years.

I had a go at someone who was opposing breastfeeding in a cafe the other day.

Apologise for offending the people who have given me a decent and informed reply..........

OP posts:
chillinwithmyyonis · 01/06/2013 00:13

usual what's the point you're trying to make? Are you trying to say a 2yr old having a bottle is the same as extended breastfeeding? Because it 100% is not the same.

usualsuspect · 01/06/2013 00:14

Well most people on this thread are comparing BF to FF.

I don't care if mothers BF until whenever, but stop with the comparing it to cows milk.

WouldBeHarrietVane · 01/06/2013 00:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

usualsuspect · 01/06/2013 00:16

I'm saying its not the same.

SummerRainIsADistantMemory · 01/06/2013 00:17

Breastfeeding has more in common with a favourite teddy bear, security blanket and a big hug than with a bottle of formula.

Ponyo73 · 01/06/2013 00:17

From my experience, I BF my first DD for 18 mths, then second DD for 6 mths. I honestly never, met anyone at my toddler group who BFd beyond the 2 year mark. Most were onto sippy cups etc. Perhaps, it's just that it's not the norm in our culture.

chillinwithmyyonis · 01/06/2013 00:18

Its a very amusing article thinking, and breastfeeding is a very emotive subject on MN! As is bottlefeeding actually. The breast and bottle feeding boards on mn are very helpful and informative though and don't really get as heated as AIBU. There's some real experts on those boards that really helped when I was starting out breastfeeding.

msbear · 01/06/2013 00:18

Oh my lord! I did bf for 3 weeks, I only wish I could have done it for longer! I have nothing but envy for anyone providing the best possible way for as long as possible.

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