To ask for your thoughts on extended breastfeeding?

[awmamma]

Catching up on Teen Mom UK and watching the bit about Charlie telling Shannon it was weird to still be breastfeeding her 2.5 year old.

Is it really that weird?

To be fair it is all about anecdata when it comes to infant milk

Tabby

Using the MMR “study” as an example of conflicting research is ridiculous in itself.
You do realise that it wasn’t even a “study”. It was hideously flawed “research” (if you can even call it that) conducting on a handful of subjects with no proper controls in place, therefore none of the data collected can be seen as a reliable source of information

And it’s been proven with actual research time and time again that it was utter bollocks.

Your subject pool of one friend and her anecdotal “data” on breastfeeding = boob sagging isn’t what I’d call the holy grail of research on which to base an opinion!

@AlmostAlwyn...because I can. Lots of people think the same as me! I don't believe it. And I think the research is flawed That's my opinion. I really really really don't have to think the same as you. I don't understand why you might find it so hard to understand. If course I've had times where I've thought "oh I didn't know that". All the time. But not on this occasion. That's not hard to understand is it?

And I think the research is flawed That's my opinion

Could you link to the specific studies you feel are flawed and explain why you think so - i’d be interested to read those.

"Using the MMR “study” as an example of conflicting research is ridiculous in itself.
You do realise that it wasn’t even a “study”. It was hideously flawed “research” (if you can even call it that) conducting on a handful of subjects with no proper controls in place, therefore none of the data collected can be seen as a reliable source of information

And it’s been proven with actual research time and time again that it was utter bollocks."

Yes it has. ..but the research was conflicting. The man who did the research did it as his life's work. Thousands upon thousands of people believed it and still do believe it. People thought it was reliable at the time. It conflicted against other research . When cigarettes first came out, verified "research" at the time said smoking was good for your health! So over time, you come to decide what research you believe. Lots of people quote research they have read on here all the time as fact, it's not necessarily fact. Often there is other research that conflicts against it.

To be honest, yes it's really hard to understand. But lots of people think the same as you, so that's the main thing.

Perhaps we can get back to the point of the thread now? Have we missed any more myths about breastfeeding?

Is anyone under pressure from family or friends to stop?

"For whatever reason, it suits you to believe it and you will not be disabused of your fallacious beliefs because they comfort you.

One can only guess your motivations.

Deep down you know they're false, though!Must hurt!

Oh dear. What a strange comment to say to someone. So imagine the scene. Women in an office say, discussing this issue. One woman might say "oh I don't believe that? Another might say "oh really, why? ..and a nice conversation commences. None of the nastiness on here would be said...no one would say "One can only guess your motivations.
Deep down you know they're false, though!Must hurt!"
How weird would that be,!
What motivations could I possibly have!? And "must hurt"...How strange Why would it hurt?!

Is anyone under pressure from family or friends to stop?

I had family that insisted we stop. And I haven’t told them about this nursing strike DS is currently on as I know what the reaction will be

Is anyone under pressure from family or friends to stop?

With my first, from a few days old I was being asked when I was putting her on a bottle. By the time she was 1 I'd been told I should stop. Comments tailed off but were still around until DC1 stopped feeding.

I didn't get a single comment from any of them when it came to DC2!

Luckily, DH was very supportive and never had any negative comments. To add to poster's research, he doesn't think BF made them saggy either.

tTonightJosepheen

"A wild guess...

You think all the 'smug' breastfeeders who gave their children and themselves optimum long term health benefits associated with breastfeeding as well as happy memories... are secretly crying about their 'sausage'-like breasts. That'll teach 'em!

Who knows?"

No, not at all. What a nasty thing to say.

What a nasty thing to say

Not nearly as nasty as your contribution to this thread.

Typical can dish it out but not take it

This thread is going to end up getting deleted which is a real shame as there are some really good points made on here.

Such a shame that a thread that had some really good information and valid points about breastfeeding beyond babyhood has been derailed into a bun fight around women’s appearance.

Back to the original topic what is the deal with sleep? I'm the first to admit that my still breastfed toddler is a crap sleeper. Is it true that BF babies tend to be worse sleepers?

Is anyone under pressure from family or friends to stop?

No one has said anything directly but I do get some side eyes when I BF my son in public. My grandma was asking a few questions but I subsequently discovered she only BF for 6 weeks for one child and 3 months for another so times have moved on a lot! Most of my friends and family are very supportive as they know I'm a strong breastfeeding advocate and I have always openly BF around people I know. I do feel sometimes that people think my son's problems with sleeping are my fault because he is still breastfed and a few friends have given unsolicited advice about that; but he has actually done really well by going into his own bed in the last few weeks and sleeping for longer periods with some top ups of milk in the night; so I don't really feel that BF is affecting that either.

@SnuggyBuggy I think research has shown that BF children are actually better sleepers overall but I agree that isn't how it feels when you are in the middle of it! DS has always been a bad sleeper but has recently improved somewhat by going into his own bed with a sleeping bag...

Tbh I feel surprised that I breastfed a 2.5 year old - I think because she self weaned it so quickly became normal that she didn't need breastmilk, but it wasn't sad. For us it was similar to any "phase" I guess in most parenting - you never know when the last feed / carry up to bed / ride in a pushchair will be. Breastfeeding was normal for her at 2.5 and by 3 I literally couldn't remember the last time she fed.

I've been breastfeeding for 6 years in total now and my breasts have changed but I have also had 3 further pregnancies (each time, I gained around 3 stone and eventually lost it again) and aged 7 years in that time so I'm sure that had an effect. I wouldn't change it.

Oh do people still believe that bollocks about BF making your boobs sag? Really?

I fed DS for two years and have a fabulous rack

@SnuggyBuggy

Nah, shit sleepers are shit sleepers. I don't think it makes any different beyond weaning.

Might be the reverse. I mean if she could self settle and then sleep 12 hours uninterrupted I might not have continued BF

I’ve had one formula fed and one breastfed - both shitty sleepers from the start!
Eldest has recently started sleeping through consistently....she’s 4

I have no FF kids to compare with but from talking to friends, my babies woke up more often than FF babies but went back to sleep quicker.