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Are Those Your Kids

Raising Biracial Kids in Today's World

5 Common Misconceptions about Extended Breastfeeding

February 18, 2020 By Diedre Leave a Comment

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Extended breastfeeding is a topic that makes many people cringe.

Many women are judged for extended breastfeeding, or breastfeeding past one year. How long you choose to feed your baby is your choice.

 

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.

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

When you babywear, does your little tend to hang to one side? Homeboy is 14 months old & almost 30 lbs. He has a healthy appetite & I’m still nursing. I’m just about ready to give it up & have my boobs back, but then he gets hurt & as my hubby says, I “give in.” My family says I baby him more than the girls & I disagree. But, maybe they’re right. He’s my 🌈 baby. My last baby. My baby boy. #sorrynotsorry Moms, how long did your breastfeed? Babywear?

A post shared by Diedre ❤ Are Those Your Kids (@arethoseyourkids) on Jun 17, 2019 at 1:28pm PDT

 

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.”

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Happy Friday!! Let’s get the party started!! Sike. I picked up the kids then realized I left some of my pump pieces at work. So on the way home I took all 3 kids back to my office. Baby J didn’t want any 🍼 so I had to pump…..While entertaining the baby & trying to keep him from falling out of my chair. Some days I dread unloading my whole crew to go places. It can be cumbersome but honestly every time I do it, it gets easier. Do you ever amaze yourself with what you are capable of handling??!!

A post shared by Diedre ❤ Are Those Your Kids (@arethoseyourkids) on Dec 7, 2018 at 2:43pm PST

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.

Many women are scared of breastfeeding beacuse of the myths that still exist. I'm sharing a few truths that breastfeeding moms don't always want to admit.

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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Hi, I’m Diedre!

Hi, I’m Diedre!

Lifestyle + Mom Blogger

Welcome to Are Those Your Kids! This blog was created to share my experiences in motherhood, from the perspective of a mom with biracial kids. I discuss all things education, culture, multicultural resources, curly hair and motherhood.

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