What makes people think they can judge you for bfing a one year old?

[callmeovercautious]

DD turned one this week and so far I have had 4 people say things like "oh - you are still feeding her?" or "so when are you stopping?". That is one a day FFS!!!!

I feel like yelling "I don't care what you think!"

Rant over

You just said it - you don't care what they think. I never did.

LUCKY YOU! My DD2 stopped at ten months (now 2) even now I look with envy at mums and babies feeding. Now my DD is too busy to even stop and cuddle! SOD EVERY ONE ELSE!

People with lack of knowledge??

I BF my dd1 until she was 25 months and couldn't give 2 hoots what people thought. Kept telling everyone her Future boyfriend would be coming in and asking for share too! That shut them up with disgust! She actually self weaned..

then dont. ignore teh silly buzzards.

I get so annoyed with myself when I find myself taking an apologetic tone, or rationalizing.

Like I need an excuse...

I like to turn it into a joke to keep myself from being either very lame or quite angry, "Well, unless he takes a gap year, by the time he goes to Uni, that's if he goes..." (DS 14 months)

Sheer lack of knowledge I guess!

I must admit I got a quiet pleasure from seeing a disapproving look or getting a comment. Hardly ever happened though.

BTW, here's an extract from the WHO's global strategy for Infant and Young Child feeding:

10. Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers. As a global public health recommendation, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Exclusive breastfeeding from birth is possible except for a few medical conditions, and unrestricted exclusive breastfeeding results in ample milk production. (my emphasis)

Next time you're asked, you could put this report in their hand, with a calendar and ask them to remind you of DD's feeding timetable at her next birthday.

I'm still bf dd (13mo). I was bf by my mum until 18 mo, so am lucky to have her support and encouragement.

It is mostly my childless friends that react negatively, so I figure they just don't know any better. In particular they don't seem to be able to get over feeding a baby who has teeth!

Tell 'em to mind their own business! Why stop something that is so enjoyable and beneficial for your LO?

Thanks lovely Ladies - I was ranting really. The thing that surprised me was one of them was PN group friend who I thought understood extended feeding etc. OK so she switched to formula at 6m - I did not and would never judge her decision so I was a bit upset by her, the others included my FIL who was suprised but followed it by saying "you must chat to MIL she fed your BIL until 18m .... huff!"

Am just pleased she is taking to it again after her cold this week when I went into a panic and thought she was going to self wean already!

I sort of put my foot in it the other week at toddler group about this!
One of the mums was feeding her 18 month old and I said 'Oh, are you still feeding him?'
'Yes, what of it?' came the rather pissed off reply.
I had to explain that I was terribly jealous as DD went on a nursing strike and stopped at 13 months after I got pregnant and I really wished I was still feeding her!

So just pretend that they are all jealous like me!

Good point - perhaps that is what the PN friend was thinking? I should be more forgiving!