Feeling odd for bf past 6m

[sparklekitty]

My DD is just 6mo. We've started blw and introduced a bit of formula for when I go back to work at 9mo (cant get much off when I express). However, loads of people have asked/told me I should stop bf now. When I say I'm going to till at least a year I've had so many cat bum mouths! My DH is very supportive and agrees a year minimum (I'm very lucky that after a rocky start bf has been very easy for me)

So as my friends all start to stop bf-ing and DM and MIL start pulling faces when I talk about it, please help me not feel like a freak (I know MN is the place for this)

[mumnosbest]

6 months! You are not odd! I'm BF DD at 14 months and proud as you should be! :)

[CitrusyOne]

I could have written the op! Dd will be six months towards the end of this month and I have decided to aim for 1 year. Dp understands and is supportive, as is my mum but I know some other people are a bit cat's bum mouth about it.

Dd used to take a bottle of ebm bit has been refusing this just recently so I'm more than happy to feed her myself. And it isn't stopping me from doing anything I want to. I know we're in the minority so I just feel like we have to rise above it- unfortunately we're doing something that isn't statistically 'normal', so people are going to raise eyebrows.

[WitchOfEndor]

After many, many opinions from DM and DB I finally told my DB that if I heard one more opinion on bf from him anyone I would tell him them to stick his their opinion up his their arse. Its a shame it came to that but it did the trick.

It is completely normal and natural to feed past 6 mo, it might not fit in with other people's agendas (DM didn't bf as it wasn't encouraged in 60s and 70s, DBs wife didn't bf because she thought it was yucky) but that is their issue, not yours.

If anyone raises it again tell them it is your decision and you are not discussing it again.

[Emilythornesbff]

Do as you see fit.
I've been surprised that breastfeeding is the parenting issue most ppl have commented on to me despite them having less knowledge and less or no experienc of it. Sometimes their comments were so rude!

Fwiw my ds stopped feeding from me when he was just over 2 years. I was pregnant at the time. He's 2.5 now and I often give him a cup of ebm (good for him and extra calories burned fom me).

When faced with unwanted comments I either ignored, explained gently, or rolled my eyes depending on the person / situation.

[DrMcDreamysWife]

My dd is 7mo, blw, ebf and wakes ALL night to feed/comfort suck and yes I've been getting in the ear from my fils unhelpful partner...

." well if you bottle fed I could take her overnight"
As if the only reason she needed me was for my boobs...horrid woman. She has also commented on how feeding older babies is pretty disgusting. I am avoiding her at all costs and ignoring her. She is very much in danger of me shouting 'youre not even her grandmother'

Anyway...some of my mummy friends are moving to mixed feeding in the day which I'm not planning on doing. I say so what's best for you and your baby, which at 6mo they most definitely still are babies! I know continuing bf is best for us.

[Startail]

DCs are much cleverer than we give them credit for.

DD wouldn't take a bottle of formula from anyone, but she'd take a cup of juice and a baby yoghurt instead if I went out.

She worked out that not asking to be BF at night improved mum's temper no end. No way would she have been BF to well into school had she not sussed this!