interesting phone call with MIL

last night.

so we were talking about things and we got onto me breastfeeding Megan and I said oh she weaned off me about a month ago and I basically explained that I had left it up to her. She then went onto say that over in the Netherlands it is quite unsual for mothers to breastfed over 8 months. I was thinking to myself well I had the milk feeding was going well so why would I stop and I did not want to put her on to formula if there was not need to.

I am planning on breastfeeding my 2nd baby for as long as he wants to (within reason) . so will be interesting once he gets to the same age Megan was when she weaned (19 months) if he is still feeding or has weaned by then.

I did get rather annoyed when they were here a few months ago and Megan was asking for booby and they said no you are a big girl you dont need booby...arghh hello I will decided if my child is too big for booby I was not going to deny her any if she was asking for it and I felt that self weaning was the easiest way for both of us no dramas or tears she decided she did not want it anymore.

vent over

I think that it is no coincidence that the general societal acceptance of weaning onto formula at around 6 months occurs at the same time that formula is allowed to be advertised. Currently formula companies cannot advertise new born products.

Most maternity carers are very limited in the information they give so they can push breast feeding. That means that many people who need advice on formula early on, when their milk supply is low or non existent for example, cannot access information easily.

Then at 6 months they suddenly come out of the woodwork - ta da! Formula time! So it becomes more 'normal' to give formula than to breastfeed.

Yep, it grates me when people bring up the 'weaning' question.
Interestingly I find it funny that as a newborn nobody made a comment, or funny looks when BF'ing DD.. but I have noticed a few in the last week (funny looks that is) with DD not quite 5mths!
I second the longer the better and be proud of it! It's amazing how many times I've been told -''You only have to BF till shes 6mths''
like weaning is the light at the end of the tunnel..

I can't remember who was asking me if I was 'still feeding' but I have a feeling it was my Dad and my MIL.

lol at snaps, thats cool.
My husband was the worst and I kept telling everyone I was still feeding to spite him, lol
I fed till she weaned although if I am honest, I was almost over it by then cos she would be up and down on my knee for only short bursts. I used to tell everyone I'd feed till they were at school and see how it went, lol, but obly said that to see peoples reactions!

I get that all the time too

All i hear is 'oh are you still feeding?' But up until 6 months it was 'are you feeding?? Wow that is sooo good'

It annoyed the sh*t out of me

My MIL is dutch and im getting the same from her about Bfing. Also she wants to Baby sit alot but im not yet comfortable leaving dd with anyone

my mil said to me while I was still breastfeeding that I should wean Megan before #2 comes along. or else she might get jealous...lol I had no intention of weaning her before then and hey she weaned herself but if I was still breastfeeding her when her brother was born then all good.

Caitlyn's stepmum is feeding both her 2 year old and her 7 week old , it works really well for her , and so far she hasn't had anyone say anything negative, also , she says since the younger baby was born the 2 year olds skin has gotten really nice from feeding
I think its really cool , and when she comes over, it looks just as normal to me to see her feed the 2 year old, and then the new baby ...different positions etc, but it still looks fine .

(and yup , her youngest and Tyler are six days apart ,so Caitlyn got 2 new brothers in a just over a week , lucky girl )

i almost feel like saying to anyone who says "why not put them onto formula" well sure if you want to pay for the formula get up at 3am to boil the jug while listening to your baby scream.

I think bf is so much more easier in the terms of once it is established you just put baby on boob no need to heat up or making sure baby has the right amount and best of all no waste.

I am thankful that I was able to breastfed my child for as long as I could and yes I would stil be feeing her if she had not weaned

michhell wrote: I hope you told him it was cheaper - so that's a 'real benefit'!

yes I have no idea how many tins of formula a baby goes through a week but even 2 tins is easily $25-$30 a week