Anyone else made to feel like a paedophile for breastfeeding past 6 months!

[cruisemum1]

getting miffed at peoples attitudes to bf past the 'required' 6 months. ds is only 7 mths ffs! makes me feel they think i'm a freak! grrrrrrr

[emkana]

At the heart of the matter lies, IMHO, that the breast is seen in our culture as primarily a sexual object. If babies/children could be fed via the bellybutton people would probably be far more relaxed about it.

[Jacanne]

But both my children could drink from a cup by the time they were one - the 2 aren't mutually exclusive.

[IcingOnTheCake]

I don't have a problem with bf or breasts or breast being seen as a sexual object.

[Jacanne]

Emkana - my dd BF her dolls from her belly button

[emkana]

Then why can't toddlers have the milk from the source and learn to drink from a cup by drinking water/juice?

[terramum]

at indepedent at 1 yr old.....& theres me thinking all children under 16 were classed as minors & needed help doing at least some things .....maybe Im doing this all wrong...maybe DS should be out earning his own living, paying me rent and living independantly instead of relying on me to dress him , wipe his bottom when he poos, cook his food for him.....but hes getting there I suppose - he can count to 20(ish) & paint the kitchen table quite well

[IcingOnTheCake]

I haven't been rude. I didn't come on here and say 'yes your all perverts etc for bf at that age'. No, i came here and said why i think what i think and made it clear that it's nothing to do with being sexual why i find it strange.

[emkana]

But you haven't explained really why you find it strange. If you're talking independence then talk us through why it's okay for a one year old to wear nappies but not to breastfeed?

[IcingOnTheCake]

terramum thats ridiculas. You know full well thats not what i was saying.

[terramum]

DS drinks water out of a glass pint jug....Oh & btw he is stil bf - doesnt seem to have stunted his development so far

[IcingOnTheCake]

I have explained, i suggest you read back. You have the word independance in your mind now and thats just a small part of why i find it strange.

[amijee]

IOTC

I really hope you don't feel got at because that's not good for anyone. I'm just curious.

I'm still not clear WHY it's strange - we've established it's 1. healthier 2. possible to drink from cups as well as breast 3. anecdotally doesn't make kids less independant

So ....why is it a problemo?

[terramum]

Yes but you are being ridulous imo by saying that bfing byond one year is somehow impairing the development & the independence of a child

[Jacanne]

But you haven't really said why else you find it strange.

[emkana]

IOTC, I have just re-read all your posts on this thread.

You have not, IMO, explained why you find it strange. You mentioned the independence thing, but have given no other explanation.

Sorry.

[IcingOnTheCake]

Why do i find it ok for a 12 month old to wear a nappie and not to bf. Well babies can drink stuff other than breast milk at 12 months and they eat solid food at 12 months.If you put a baby in pair of pants at 12 months they are gonna poo/wee themselves.

[emkana]

I'm going now, I just can't be bothered anymore.

To all extended breastfeeders out there -

keep feeding, you're doing great!

[elkiedee]

I'm about to have my first child and hope to bf. I can't see anything wrong with extending a while and would certainly hope to carry on about 6 months. In my case weaning will probably be dictated
by needing to go back to work, I have good maternity leave plus some holiday so won't be back at work until March at least (baby due today but not really expected by me for a few days or even 2 weeks yet). But I'm astonished by this thread.

[Jacanne]

elkiedee - which part are you astonished by?

[terramum]

But its normal for toddlers to bf as part of their total diet....in fact its recommended -WHO states minimum of 2 yrs

[amijee]

I'm sorry I'm still a little confused IOTC.

Babies can have formula before a year - they don't have to have breastmilk. Why is it not strange to breastfeed instead of formula but strange to breastfeed instead of giving cow's milk.?

If you're using the developing world as an example, they don't use cow's milk as they can't afford it or have access to it.

I feel like I am missing something but don't know what it is.

[IcingOnTheCake]

I have explained and i aint going through it again. I am kinda being made out to be a bit narrow minded on this subject but i find it a bit narrow minded that people who do bf toddlers etc can't see WHY other people may find it strange. Everyones different and what makes me laugh is when people bf for a couple of years to keep their child healthy, then shove junk food down the childs neck or smoke around the child. That to me does more damage. I am not saying anyone here does that but some people out there do.

[NoNickname]

Perhaps we can't see "WHY other people may find it strange" when you won't precisely explain WHY you find it strange.

[IcingOnTheCake]

amijee i think you have missed my point? I never said it was strange to bf instead of ff, i don't know where that came from?

[amijee]

IOTC

You are absolutely right to highlight smoking and diet as things that are not at all good for a child's health - but IMHO most extended breastfeeders are probably not doing that.

Please don't feel got at - you are perfectly entitled to your views. I am not bothered at all by them - just wanna know the thinking behind them so I can understand.