"when are you going to stop breastfeeding?"

[clare40]

Im just having a moan here! But, I have been asked this question about 5 times this week. My baby is only 4 months so not yet! Why oh why do people want to know!

I posted a variation of this thread when my now 4 month old was 8 weeks old. And the MIL is STILL ASKING. Does my head in! You are damned if you don't and then if you do!!!!! I like the 'for as long as it is free' response, stolen from another MNetter.

When the WHO recommend that we do. So never then because they say at least 2 years and nothing about stopping then.

I have had a few people ask how long I am planning to feed out of interest rather than wondering when I am going to stop, whichI don't mind.

A couple have even jokingly asked, "3 years old?" or similar and have looked shocked when I have said "something like that. It will depend when he (DS) is ready."

I have experienced the 'we support your decision' attitude towards my sister who FFs (from me too) but my decision to BF is met with some confusion, as though it is odd and not natural! how do people think babies were fed before FF was available?

There are some great images of paintings of Mary BFing Jesus on the internet which illustrate how natural BF is and used to be viewed as. Interesting from a historical point of view even if you're not religious.

Agree, 'when she's ready' is usually good for ending the conversation with most people.

People are nosy fuckers, and in my case, some have tried encourage me to stop, because my continuing longer than they did makes them question their choice to stop earlier (a good friend finally admitted that after months of badgering me).

And when you get to about 18 months or so, most people stop asking!

My MIL asks me 'are you still bfing' my 16mo EVERY SINGLE TIME I SEE HER. It's quite annoying, and it's now rubbing off on my FIL who has taken to asking pretty regularly too... I hope you are right about the 18m thing YankNCock

Try 'Every time you ask, that will be one month more I plan to bf for' (regardless of whether you have an end date in mind!)

Better than "so, when are you going to get her on the bottle and give her proper milk??"

It's not anyone else's business tbh. Just smile back and tell them you don't intend to stop at all.

DD2 is also 4 months old and I don't intend to stop any time soon. DD1 was bf until 15 months when we started trying for our second.