why should i be made to feel bad for still bf ds

[mehdismummy]

i am so so sick of getting strange looks off people because i still bf(2.3years) i dont bf in public and he only really has it at night also sometimes if he is tired or upset. He is a happy healthy contented little boy(see pics) and it really annoys me when you encounter negativity. My gp and health visitor are both guilty of the look. The final straw which started this rant was when my boss(i use the term loosely) said i should not still be feeding him. This is all because i tell him i cant go and get pissed because i bf. Anyone want to join an extended bf thread?

My son has just turned two and I can't say I've had many funny looks or comments where I live in Brighton, but whenever I travel to see family up north, it's like I'm a travelling circus freak, people can't believe it!
I think as more and more people breastfeed for longer more and more people will feel comfortable with the idea.
Anyone tandem bf btw?
We're trying for another baby which is proving difficult by it's self whilst bf, and would imagine my son will still be bf for a few years yet. Has anyone any experience?

ChickenMama, it is a phase, DD1 did it and DD2 is doing it now too. They seem to go through a kind of seperation anxiety almost, and really test the boundries by seeing how often they can ask before you explode. Of course Supernanny et al would say we should forcable wean them as they are being far to demanding, but I have weathered it by remoinding myself that it is a need, and once it is fulfilled it will pass, but that if I try to push them away it will only get worse.

You may find she is cutting back teeth or about to come down with a cold, but either way it will go and you'll get a little personal space again. Hang in there.....

And yes clrcbr, I am tandeming my two, I got pregnant when DD1 was just past two and boobed all the way through the pregnancy. What would you like to know (perhaps we should have a tendeming thread?)

Monkies

Thanks guys, you've been really helpful and in fact today she only had one feed more than normal... and has started sneezing and has a runny nose!! Her behaviour has changed a lot recently too, she's definitely approaching her terrible twos, so I guess it could all be tied in with that too.

just had proof bf is still good niece and nephew have gastro bug and ds has not caught it even though has been in very close promixity.

where i live it is very rare for babies to be bf once they leave the hospital - most mothers switch straight to formula. my ds is 4 months old and people are looking surprised that i am still bfing him. i'm starting to feel pressure to stop even though i am not ready and he is definitely not ready.

bfing in public is not really accepted here, so i plan on feeding him at home for longer, since no one will know anyway.

i'm coming to the uk when he's 7 months old and want to bf him exclusively until then - will i get funny looks in the uk? is it ok to bf in public?

do most people who bf past 6 months bf exclusively, or combine with other food?

Tolalola - I fed DS in public in UK up to about 1 yr and never had any negative comments, quite the reverse actually.

I'm still bf DS at 21 months, exclusively to 6 months then alongside food from then. It took him a while to get the hang of food, but by 9-10 months he was eating well. He's recently had a nasty gastro bug and has been back on a diet of mostly bm as it was all he could stomach.

Thank you!

Great to read about such powerful women cherishing and growing our babies. I'm breastfeeding DS who is now 9 months - Tolala, no problem with bf in public, I still do altho DS is a pest and likes to look around a bit too much for my liking. I introduced solid food just before he turned 6 months and he is thriving.

Question for you inspiring mamas: DS's top teeth have just arrived and bf has become sore with these choppers grating against me. Please tell me that this goes as the teeth grow?? I v much want to keep bf my baby but cor, does it hurt.

lovegriff - I found it was sore when DS's top teeth first came in, but it did settle down again. Changing position might help, I found it was better feeding lying down.

I'm pg again and nips feeling a bit tender. DS has most of his teeth and I'm feeling them all atm! Altho he is older now and if I say 'ouch, try again', he comes off and relatches

lovegriff my ds has loads of teeth and it did hurt for a bit but soon stopped! He actually having a good old feed now as we have been out all day so this is his first chance. You should have seen the delight in his eyes when he realised it was milk time!

Thanks for words of encouragement - my first day back at work today and worth all ouches to sit and feed him at bedtime this evening. Such an amazing thing to be able to do.