breastfeeding in Jordan? Would you do it?

[florenceuk]

OK a slightly odd question. DD is 15mths now and still BF - pretty much on demand at the moment which is morning, before and after her nap, and evening. She does like it a lot, but also drinks cow's milk, if I am not there (and has been known to feed with cup of milk clasped in one hand to suck on before and during the feed). I have promised myself I will wean her before summer for purely selfish reasons. But we are going on holiday to Jordan at Easter to see the desert, Petra etc. DH is convinced I should give up before then as I won't be able to BF at all there (would be difficult with baby, let alone toddler!) But given we'll be doing lots of travelling and sleeping in strange places (like tents, communal guesthouses) I can see there are advantages to having a source of comfort. Plus not sure I can get milk in Jordan easily. Any views (not from those who think it weird to BF a toddler though!)?

I don't see a problem.

Have breastfed in.....

France
Russia
Dubai
Malaysia
Thailand
Sri Lanka
Germany

and most recently ultra conservative Eastern Turkey.

Noone bats an eyelid.
B/feeding makes life on the move so much easier.
Anyway,the Koran states (I am fairly sure) that women should b/feed for 2 years.)

this might help

I'm dead jealous.
Would love to see Petra.
Bon Voyage!

No, her boobs are way too big!

Nice link colditz!

I don't think it's a good reason to stop
I found it really handy to bf my toddler last year when we were abroad - just in terms of comfort and getting her to sleep when we sere staying in lots of different places, on the ferry etc. also helpful for avoiding potential food poisoning etc

v about the trip btw

v handy on a plane too btw

Sounds like a fabulous trip florence and I think you will get less opprobrium from Jordanian citizens than if you did this in Bluewater or a cafe in London

One of the reasons I was reluctant to give up BF was that DS would settle anywhere with a bit of boob, he wasn;t fussed, which is a gift when you are travelling.

Hope you have a fantastic trip!

thanks for link Colditz! Still wonder if bf my toddler might be seen as slightly different to a 4mth old though? Moondog do you have a source for your quote from the Koran?

I'm slightly apprehensive about how DD will behave on this trip - esp as first few nights are scheduled as "communal sleeping arrangements" in rural village and she is a rotten sleeper outside her cot. So maybe BF is the easiest way to go? Need to persuade DH though!

found it!
The mothers shall give suck to their offsprings, for two complete years.
?Quran Surah II (Baqarah) Verse 233

I'm so jealous - have been to Petra twice andalso walking around Wadi Rum is fab. If you have time there pick up a book called 'Walks around Wadi Rum' or something (by bloke from UK) and get the backpack on.
As for Bfing I really wished I hadn't stopped when we went to Argentina last year as it is def the way to settle etc.
How about just taking a thin cloth and putting it over her which would shade her too? We were in the Middle East pre kids but found the people so friendly that I can't imagine they would bother and they absolutely adore kids too.
Do a Google on it as I got some good tips for travelling with kids from blogs etc...
Soooo jealous!! I want to go away not into labour!!

I've never been to the Middle East, but I'm sure I've heard of women there bfing quite openly even when veiled from head to foot. From what I gather, it's a lot more accepted than it is in the West.

fantastic link colditz!

My Muslim GP also told me the Koran states you should feed for 2 years. She was of the opinion that not many women were "able" to, and that managing to do it was quite an achievement, so you may find yourself feted over there for your continued feeding

Just read that link and it started me thinking that maybe we never did see any little babies in the middle east! It's funny isn't it as you just don't notice when you don't have kids - apart from in Africa where there are def babies and boobies EVERYWHERE! Hurrah!

Thanks for the quote - will keep it in mind! Laundrylover, we're going with a company called Walks Worldwide, which specialises in family trips - lots of support for reluctant small walkers (like my DS!), but you can go with small babies - something for next year maybe? We will be going to Petra and "camping" (actually staying in large tents but with proper beds) at Wadi Rum. Not sure how much actual walking we'll do - I'm so unfit! At least I won't be carrying anything, DH will be carrying DD.

Your trip sounds fab and just the right level of comfort!
We are planning US parks this autumn in a Winnebago and will def keep up the BFing. With two I guess we'll both end up carrying one each though! In Argentine I ended up trekking down mountains with Tilly in the backpack as Pete went further up. Soon got fit and did a lot of singing whilst she slept!
By the way was thinking about your original post and bet that even of you can't easily get cow's milk you will be able to carry a tin of dried milk and mix with warm water when you don't fancy bfing.

Just an update. Have come back from the trip and it was fine - DD fed loads, but it was v. useful keeping her quiet on the bus trips and as she was generally a bit off her food was reassuring. Generally I managed to feed either in bed, on the bus or somewhere quiet, so very manageable. Powdered milk readily available in the desert, which locals made up with tons of sugar (no wonder DD gulped it down!) but the other mum on our trip did have to spend some time sourcing UHT for her daughter. Kids loved the desert, camping out and the camels. Thanks for all the advice!