Does anyone know what the culture of BFing is like in other countries?

[Allora]

I am currently still feeding 9 month old DD and am considering stopping but realise that half of the motivation to stop comes from the feeling I get from other people that they think that I am a bit of a weirdo, and probably doing it more for myself etc

I know that the recommendation is to BF for a year but wondered if elsewhere in Europe more people heed this advice?

In RL I don't know anyone who has ever BF'ed anyone for a whole year. Most start mix feeding pretty early on saying that the baby still gets all the goodness etc

B&T: the Prophet (PBUH) recommends that all babies be breastfed for at least 2 years. Most Muslim women try very hard to fulfil this recommendation because they are seen as pious to do so and the community tries really hard to support women to do so. A lot of Muslim women also choose to give formula in public too because of ideas about modesty.

i second the aussie experience. rare to see anyone ff, lots of toddlers or older bf in parks etc. great bf support and help if problems.

the target is 1 year, never the 6 months in UK, that is thought weird as you still have to give formula!

foxy I've several times been told there's a Quranic stipulation to bf for 2 years, but have never managed to find it. What's the reference?

Depressing thought that while we in the West (or at least in France, Holland, and other veil-banning countries) think we have such marvellously enlightened attitudes to women's bodies, we also export negative taboos which damage babies' health.

I'm also in Italy and in my experience most people breastfeed and it's not considered strange or sexual at all. There are tits everywhere here - on the TV, on billboards, selling DIY products(??) so it's not really a big deal. It's really encouraged for the first year, but not many people tend to continue for work-related reasons. I had loads of support and bf up until dd was about 9 months but then she started refusing the breast so that was that.
Do what you think is right.

here are some quranic references on breastfeeding and weaning.

umf, that really does put an interesting slant on veiling.

I am in Japan where it seems quite normal to bf over 1 year. Two of my friends stopped at age 2 but quite a few are carrying on over 2 and beyond.

Foxy, love that picture of the Venezuelan woman, she seems so relaxed and chilled out like it's the most normal thing in the world (which of course it is!). And noone is batting an eyelid. Can you imagine someone BF like that in front of David Cameron?!

Where I lived in (remote) central africa most women have never even heard that there is an alternative to breastfeeding, or that some women might not be able to do it. Babies spend their time in slings on mum's hip with constant boob access (most women dont wear tops). A crying baby is never a good thing and a boob will be offered pretty quickly. The women basically just get on with their lives with a baby attached to their boob - inspirational!

I love the picture of the Venezuelan woman and Hugo Chavez!