To ask why some people are critical of breastfeeding past a year?

[LazyJournalistsShouldPissOff]

I have a 15 month old DD who still breastfeeds in the morning, and for comfort at other times as needed, for example when teething. Fwiw, I never "preach" about bf, DD also had formula at times, nor do I bf in front of anyone except DH these days as most of the time DD is happy to go all day without it. However, family members do ask me if I'm still feeding. Up to DD's first birthday most people were supportive of me bf (with a few exceptions) and said what a good start I had given her. Since then I have had the same people asking again, then on hearing I'm still bf start telling DD she needs to grow up, she's too old for it etc. She doesn't understand, but I find it really uncomfortable as clearly the comments are aimed at me.
I never intended to bf this long but I honestly think DD would be distraught if we stopped now, and there are so many benefits to her health that if it wasn't for the criticism I would feel happy to carry on for longer. However, knowing that family think it's odd makes me feel bad about it, even though rationally I know that it's really good for her! I started defending why I still bf in as diplomatic a way as I could but it's hard because I really don't want to offend anyone or make out I'm a better mum or anything like that and I know my MIL in particular sees the mere act of bf as a criticism of her because she didn't do it, as if me bf is to spite her. Anything I say will be used to bitch about me, as though I'm demonising formula. Even though we did use formula sometimes! But when people are critical of something that's actually really good for my DD I do want to defend my choice because I don't see how they could argue with science!
Why is it that some people become critical after a year of bf? And how do I explain the continued benefits that are making me stick with it without offending family members who didn't bf?

[elfonshelf]

I got a lot of this - DD self-weaned at 3.5 years, and was having none of the idea of stopping before then. I even tried going to bed in a swimsuit to foil her...

My DD has growth issues that didn't become apparent until she was nearly 2 - she's completely missing an endocrine growth factor - and that made matters even worse. One of the effects of the hormone that is missing is that DD has no appetite and needs very little sleep. I got endless comments that DD didn't eat because she was just filling up on breast-milk - she was still getting 80% of her calories that way at the age of 2. Problem was that withholding milk didn't make her more likely to eat something else. She still eats like a mouse and she's now 7.

The hospital were very supportive of my carrying on breast-feeding - said that it was far better for her than cows milk or any other type of food given her very limited intake, and to tell people that they had asked me to carry on if necessary.

On the whole the nastiest comments were from those members of the family who had chosen not to breastfeed - I imagine they were just dealing with their own issues, but still don't understand quite why they felt the need to check if I was STILL breast-feeding whenever they saw me or be quite so unpleasant.

Much sympathy.

[LucyBabs]

How odd that people comment without you asking.. Why do they care. People are strange. I can understand if a mother asks for advice or an opinion...

However I actually shuddered when a PP said her almost two year old had an ear infection recently and was feeding like a newborn. Nope! I'd have had a nervous breakdown. It's the child taking comfort from my body I couldn't deal with.. Obviously it's up to each of us what we can deal with though

[ToneDeafHamster]

That was me Lucybabs!

My toddler does find comfort from the boob, always has done and yes, with the ear infection she fed a hell of a lot more. Tiring for me, but very beneficial for her and I don't mind it. I know it will not be forever, and one day she will not want/need the boob anymore.