To be bothered by this comment re extended breastfeeding?

[bingbangbing]

Possibly being a bit sensitive but it has slightly changed how I view someone I considered a friend.

Met up with a mum friend i hadn't seen in awhile. General chat about how our kids were doing, sleeping, nursery etc

She asked how long I breastfed my son for, I answered truthfully that we stopped when he was two.

Her reply was well "it clearly didn't do him any harm!" And burst out laughing.

AIBU to find this a bit hurtful?

In this country people aren't used to extended breastfeeding it's just not the norm so there is a lot of ignorance. What exactly upset you about it as it seems like a throw away comment?

Sounds like a positive comment. Did she say it sarcastically?

Sounds like an ignorant comment, lack of education.

The very idea that breastfeeding that long could harm him upsets me.

I really, really struggled to bf initially and I'm quietly proud of it. I never bring it up though as I know many women try to breastfeed and it doesn't happen.

I take it to mean he looks healthy and well fed.

I think she was implying he looked healthy and well!!!!

I read it completely innocent!

It's weird that she asked how long you bf for. It's no one's business.

If I mum friend commented this I would assume she was wanting validation for breastfeeding her maybe 1 or even 6month+ child as she's been cristisised and people have been suggested she's doing something harmful. Maybe reading too much into it but I think it's a positive comment.

I don't know, it just felt like a put down for some reason.

We do have very different approaches to parenting.

I'm basically your stereotypical sling-wearing hippy and she is more career driven.

Shame because we also used to have a good giggle at baby groups.

I have had much worse OP.

Someone said I was a child abuser, my aunt told me I was "clearly doing it for sexual purposes".

I'm not sure I'd be hurt by it but I sort of know what you mean. There's an odd implication, like it might have done him harm. She probably didn't mean it like that though, it was probably just a throwaway remark.

I would have taken that as a positive comment as in he looks fine and healthy on it. Is your little boy big for his age?

Jealousy
I'm guessing she didn't breastfeed?

I’m not sure it’s a put down, she was maybe surprised but the comment implies he’s thriving.
Don’t write her off, I can be a sling wearing hippy or super career driven depending on my mood, you’re not necessarily incompatible.

I'm extremely career driven and breastfed for 21 months! Also a big sling user. The problem with putting people into boxes OP, is you wind up with a lot more points of conflict.

It's a popular saying, doesn't mean people believe the activity will cause someone harm. I like how you describe her as career driven but nothing about her as a mother.

I would think she was just suggesting he's big or healthy.

I'm breastfeeding my toddler who is 2 and I also have a career. The two things aren't mutually exclusive.

Sorry but I think you've been a bit over sensitive here. Are you normally a bit touchy about breastfeeding for a bit longer? Because it sounds like a totally throwaway remark to me, that if anything has a positive point to it.

It's also a bit dramatic to imply that because you wear a sling and she has a career then you might not be able to be friends. I have a sling and a career, the two things aren't mutually exclusive.

Sounds like she was being humorous

Perhaps you do lost yours

Stop popping women in boxes

Also, I carry my baby about in a sling practically all bloody day but am in no way a hippy.

Seems like an overreaction.

I wore a sling for over 2 years, breastfed for over 2 years but also worked on my career once bubs was 6 months old I'm more offended by your pigeon holing.
I would def have taken what she said to be a compliment.

People are so triggered these days

When did we become such snowflakes

I think it could be the different perspectives that you both come from but she choose a poor set of words.

For someone more ' career driven' and maybe more evidence based and less ' child lead than a ' sling wearing hippy'. I would imagine she would think 2 years is a bit pointless as little nutritional advantage over that time and may consider it something you wanted to do rather than he needed. This is probably because she doesn't understand that breast feeding offers so much more than just food to both mum and baby.
Life is too short to get upset about what was just a throw away comment from someone with a different parenting style..

It’s a joke based an a myth which she was dispelling. You however are being self righteous for accusing her of insulting you. Get over yourself.