Extended breastfeeding is a topic that makes many people cringe.
With all the things moms are judged for, this extended breastfeeding may be at the top of the list. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months with continued breastfeeding alongside the introduction of complementary foods for at least 1 year.
The day my son had his 18-month appointment, I knew it was time to wean. I just felt it. I was tired of wearing nursing bras and I wanted my freedom back.
When I decided to wean, it was because I’ve given him what he needs and I was ready, not because of the judgment of others.
And trust me, the judgment is there. I’ve heard it all from “wow, I couldn’t breastfeed that long.” Or “As soon as mine got teeth, they had to go.”
“You’re a good one, I wouldn’t want a big ol’ baby attached to me.”
Extended breastfeeding isn’t for everyone–and for a variety of reasons:
Some women don’t produce milk to a year or beyond, issues with latching, lack of family support, work constraints make it difficult to pump/feed or some women simply don’t desire to nurse beyond a year.
According to the Mayo Clinic, worldwide, babies are weaned on average between ages 2 and 4. In some cultures, breast-feeding continues until children are age 6 or 7. In other parts of the world, however, this is less common and can sometimes provoke uninformed, negative reactions.
In the U.S there are some common misconceptions about extended breastfeeding:
Baby won’t take a bottle or a cup
Just because a child breastfeeds past a year doesn’t mean that they won’t take a bottle or a cup if you offer. In fact, moms who work outside of the home full time have babies who take a cup while they are away at work.
Extended breastfeeding hurts
Listen, I know one of the main concerns people seem to have about extended breastfeeding is the fact that your little one has teeth.
My baby boy has bitten me before–more like grinding his teeth as he was going to sleep. It was painful and my nipples were still sore the next day! My solution for the biting was to take him off the breast before he fell asleep. I often had to squeeze his cheeks if I felt his suction slowing down and his jaw was clenching.
I had no issues with my daughters biting me or grinding their teeth. Every child is different, and biting has not been a concern for everyone who chooses extended breastfeeding.
Less desirable to your spouse
Without getting too personal, extended breastfeeding has not affected the intimacy with my husband. We still enjoy spending time together, going on dates and have a healthy sex life.
Extended breastfeeding has not affected the way he sees me or my body.
Hard to do in public
Nursing tops & bras make nursing in public so much easier than it use to be. When you are nursing an older child, they can usually communicate through words or motions that they are ready to nurse, which takes the guess work out.
And trust me, by the time you’ve made it past a year nursing, you’ve got the system down.
People will judge you for nursing a big baby
Listen, people will judge you for all your choices.
Breastfeeding. Not breastfeeding.
How long your child is rear-facing.
Whether or not you choose to make your own baby food or purchase it.
Staying home with your baby or going back to work.
Going back to work too soon or not soon enough.
THE LIST IS ENDLESS.
Don’t make a decision about what is best for your family based on the judgment of others.
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