intelligent and to the point responses needed, how to combat anti breast feeding people?

[missytequila]

I am off to the US for a few months and will be surrounded by friends, family, and the general public who generally think I am crazy for breast feeding... All of them use formula and comment on how ridiculous breast feeding is...even more so since baby will 6-9 months old. I know you all say f* it, do what you want, which of course I will. But still I am not one to stay silent and I would love to come prepared with a handful of witty, fact based, responses to the 'oh my god are you STILL breastfeeding...why?' comments....

It's better for the baby and me.
Baby doesn't have to wait for milk so less screaming (hopefully!)
Why the hell would I want to be washing bottles? Or, in fact taking them with me on a trip...

Damn mine are factual but not especially witty.

I have got one lined up for my PIL next time they ask if I am still feeding my 10mo - I wonder if they'd prefer to drink fresh or powdered milk....

Sorry, no witty, fact based responses, but am interested to hear what others have to say. My DD is 7 months and I am starting to feel a bit of pressure to stop. There is no way I am stopping, but would really like a way to close down conversations re why I am still bf!

Bechka - a lot of people assumed I'd stop at 6 months, especially as I was going back to work. I just went with simple ones like it being better for us and also a lot easier! I express at work and it is a PITA even washing a couple of bottles and my pump bits.

I am so glad when it's the weekend or a week off and the pump gets shoved in the cupboard

Oh my God are you STILL breastfeeding?

"yes of course. FABULOUS isn't it?"

"Why on earth would I stop now when I'm so marvellous at it, dahhhhling?"

"Oh dear, what a shame, you're one of those people, with ishoos about breastfeeding. There are people you can talk to about that you know, help you talk it out?"

"Goodness me, how appallingly rude you are."

I'm not in the mood for patient re-education of the ignorant and rude at the mo...

I'm still feeding DD (21 mo) and have only ever had a couple of slightly negative comments and I've found the best way to deal with it is to react like this-

Look at them like they are nuts and that you are surprised they even asked and say "it's the best thing for my baby, why on earth would I want to give him/her anything else?".

If they ask you to elaborate then you can tell them all the benefits. If they still think BF is odd then go back to the surprise/disbelief reaction. Shake your head and look vaguely amused. If all else fails then say "good thing he/she is not your baby, then"

It might seem a bit rude but I am anti-social and cantankerous You are NOT crazy for breastfeeding, you are awesome.

"Feck off" - a la Father Jack

Just look very seriously at them, try and go for a mix of concern and bemusement and say quite loudly "you seem very interested in my breasts. Do you think that might be a bit weird?"

Mention the extra 500 calories a day you're burning.

Then order cake.

I've used this one that I read on here (can't remember who recommended it but thank you):

"How long are you going to carry on breastfeeding?"

"Oh, about 5 minutes probably."

Worked a treat.

If they are religious you could mention that Jesus was breastfed

Well if you get the 'OMG are you still breastfeeding, why? ' comment from someone who is using formula then I would say something simple like 'because its easier for us' then turn it back on them and say 'why are you using that powder stuff?, it seems such a faff'.

Just to add that I am not anti formula, its just that i wouldn't dream of commenting and questioning someone's feeding choice out of the blue. I would however comment on someone's choice who felt they had the right to judge mine. More to turn the focus back to them and let them feel how it is to have choices questioned and not because I would actually care what their reasoning was IYSWIM.

If I ever encounter someone who is really anti-breastfeeding I just adopt a slightly bemused sort of expression and answer their questions honestly. I tend to stay away from the health benefits but stick with it's easier, it's free, it's always right there and ready prepared, etc. When faced with the argument about breastfed babies waking more at night I say "Well for me the extra night wakings are not that much work, DS sleeps in a bedside cot so I just feed him and go right back to sleep. I would rather be disturbed at night for a little longer than have to make up the formula, wash the bottles constantly, have to remember to buy it, have it ready when going out, etc etc. But for you you would rather have all the extra washing etc and have more sleep at night. It's just different things for different people. This is what works best for us."

Re "How long?" - Before a year I just used to say "Well they can move straight onto cow's milk at a year" and since DS turned one I say "I'll probably carry on until he stops by himself or until I get really fed up of doing it" (if you don't add the second part you get the inevitable "But what if he still wants fed when he's 7???")

If you're away from home how about "Fabulous isn't it, not having to pack bottles meant there was more room in my luggage for shoes!"

Or is that not very fact based?

I would just say, its free, its easy and its works for us now.

If they push ask if they have ever tasted formula (it tastes really horrible, whereas BM tastes lovely).