Sister's opinion has really shocked/upset me

[anchovies]

I breastfed ds until he was 6 months and am currently pg again. I intended to breastfeed the next one for as long as he/she wants to.

My sister however dropped into a conversation yesterday that she is no way going to breastfeed and she went on to say she thought it was very unfair of me to breastfeed again as it made everyone so uncomfortable around me last time. Admittedly it took me a long while to get to grips with it and I never felt 100% comfortable breastfeeding in front of other people. When I questioned her she said she thought breastfeeding was selfish and doesn't let everyone be involved. All I managed to say was that we were designed like this for a reason but I didn't stand my ground at all as far as the rest of it goes. My mum then joined the conversation and although she didn't directly agree with my sister she made it obvious that she didn't disagree with her (IYSWIM).

I am so irrationally upset about this, it's untrue. I just feel like the plans I'd made about this time (to be more comfortable about my own choice and bfeed wherever and whenever) have been completely ruined. We are a close family and it has really upset me that if my own family think like that, what must everyone else think. How can my own family be so judgemental?

i am a mum who bottle fed both my children, for my own maybe selfish reasons. but i would never tell anyone else how to feed there baby, i also find it in no way offensive to see others feeding, whenever and wherever they like. i will just say it is always up to the mother how she feeds breast or bottle, and noone else. do what ever you feel you want to do. good luck!

Get her to come along to your next ante natal appointment for "support" and then repeat her "concerns" in front of the midwife. Perhaps she might learn something. If not, she'll have felt as uncomfortable in the room with the midwife as she has made you feel.

In any case, she is ignorant so just ignore her. And quite possibly jealous. Tell her if she is a good girl you'll express some EBM so she can get her hands dirty once in a while.

Had to laugh yesterday - the guy who is sorting our loft conversation came round to chat yesterday evening (and collect the next cheque). After 10 mins of DS whining and moaning i finally sat him on my lap and started feeding him (he is 8 mths). The guy suddenly clocked what i was doing and said to DP - "oh, lets carry this conversation on in the kitchen Mr SQV, we dont want to embarrass Mrs SQV". I said "Please sit down Mr Loft Converter, its not me thats embarrassed. But whatever makes you more comfortable"

Your sister's attitude has left me outraged. Please, please, please don't let her opinion alter your decission to bf. Your responsibility is to your baby. Your sister doesn't even enter into the equation.

I had a similar problem, oddly from my DP. It caused many arguements whilst I was pg. I realised I was never going to change his opinion, as you won't with your sister. I had to console myself with the fact that he accepted my decision. Whatever he thinks, he keeps to himself. Ask your sister to keep her opinions to herself if she wants to maintain your relationship & ultimately, have contact with your baby. I wish you lots of luck.

your sister is pathetic and so is anyone else who agrees with her.

Keep on with the plans you had and breastfeed. if she doesnt like it she doesnt have to see you.

Silly cow.

Grrrrrrr. This makes me cross. BF is hard enough as it is without this attitude.

Dont even mention it again if she is going to be like this.

She's your sister. She knows exactly how to wind you up, don't forget. Take no bloody notice and stick to whatever feeding choice suits you.

ha, very good point MI

dont know if its true in your case anchovies, but ime, sisterly jealousy works in mysterious ways. Tell her she can share the nappy changing part!

wow this certainly has sparked some opinions. APPLAUD you anchovies for b/feeding even one baby, sadly to many people feel like your sister. if you didnt b/feed and one day your child asked why? would you be prepared to say it was because sis didnt want you to???.
stick to your guns honey and sod them all!!!
what area do you live in? are you aware of any local groups?

as everyone else has said, it is your right to decide what is best for you and your baby. toughen your resolve towards smallminded people, even if it is your own family . remember that this is one thing you cannot once you stop, you change your mind later about and do again.

MI's right, of course. Sisters do know exactly how to press each other's buttons...

SELFISH???

OMG that's hilarious! Definitely the opinion of someone who hasn't had children yet.

Please ignore her, I don't know what her problem is, perhaps it's jealousy, but it's crap. I thought families were meant to be supportive.

You did brilliantly feeding your ds for 6 months, please don't be put off by stupid, ignorant views like these. Don't let them make you feel awkward or uncomfortable, you know you're doing the right thing for your baby. If they don't like it, they can bugger off into another room. Or planet.