When does extended breastfeeding become weird....

FatVonD

blabberwort wrote: »

True it's not necessary when bf directly, however I thought we were talking about children being bf for their benefits not for the mothers. Also it would be necessary in the scenario we were both discussing, which was giving breastmilk but not directly to the child, instead by expressing.

There are instances, such as being on a day trip where you know theres a mother and baby room available buut you may not be in that particular vicinity again for several hours. ( I knew there was a reason I wrote what I did, though you did make me doubt myself for a split second :P )

I do wish you wouldnt keep trying to put words into my mouth. I thought we were discussing bf toddlers/older children, not babies. I have no problem with women bf babies discreetly in public at all.

I promise I'm not trying to put words into your mouth, I'm far too busy being flabbergasted that anyone would expect a BF mother to go to those lengths to neatly sanitise something that's perfectly natural because someone else has a hang up about it!

Gingham_R

poet123 wrote: »

No, I know it isn't what you are saying as you have stated directly that you believe in choice, but I do think the inference could be drawn that you believe that there is a significant number of those who choose not to breastfeed who do so because they expect to find it hard.

I think a lot of woman never actually consider doing it because they know it isn't for them. No angst, just a straightforward decision.

I am equally sure that many who try breastfeeding and don't manage it may do so with help, and also that many who want to continue and can't feel upset about it.

You could infer that but that would be your spin on it, not mine. I used that as ONE example.

Of course some women don't breastfeed and feel very comfortable with their decision. As they well should. I never suggested otherwise. My point is entirely separate to this.

poet123

thatgirlsam wrote: »

So you really beleive that women should 'have to' breastfeed?

I usually agree 100% with everything you say P-1.. I am shocked that you think like this!

She is clearly not alone judging from the thanks that post attracted. However, I wonder how that squares with being a feminist and believing that woman should have autonomy over their own bodies?

Abortion, Rape etc, etc, if you force a woman to breastfeed you are tacitly condoning other "assaults" on her body. Anything which is done to or expected of a woman's body against her will is wrong, end of. You cannot condone one and be against another.

leandygandy

I am presently breastfeeding my 14 week old daughter. I really really want to get to 6 months exclusive feeding (unless DD appears ready for BLW beforehand). All the other mums in my NCT class who I've stayed in touch with have now given their children formula and sing it's praises every time I see them, so I feel quite heavy peer pressure to do the same. The stubborn/proud side of me is adamant we will hit our 6 month target!

I've given a lot of careful thought to how long to offer the breast and I think, FOR ME, any longer than a year is too much. Ideally she'd be fully weaned by one, with only the bedtime feed in later months, but we shall see how it goes.

I do not enjoy breastfeeding. I know that's a dreadful thing to say as we're supposed to cherish the bond etc. etc. etc. but to me it's just fulfilling a function and giving my daughter the best possible nutrition I can. I am looking forward to the day when I can wear normal bras and tops that don't need easy access for feeding, which is really where my one year figure comes from. I will happily put DD's needs first for year but I don't think I could manage it any longer than that without going a little crazy...

Incidentally, I have just found an NCT sheet with the following information on - I've left off the bits about earlier ages as it's not really relevant to the thread...

TIME BREASTFEEDING 6 months
BENEFITS FOR BABY Lower risk of ear infections

TIME BREASTFEEDING 1 year
BENEFITS FOR BABY Lower risk of becoming overweight in later life and lower risk factors for heart disease as an adult

TIME BREASTFEEDING 2 years
BENEFITS FOR BABY Likely to have higher averrage scores on intelligence tests

thatgirlsam

poet123 wrote: »

She is clearly not alone judging from the thanks that post attracted. However, I wonder how that squares with being a feminist and believing that woman should have autonomy over their own bodies?

Abortion, Rape etc, etc, if you force a woman to breastfeed you are tacitly condoning other "assaults" on her body. Anything which is done to or expected of a woman's body against her will is wrong, end of. You cannot condone one and be against another.

Its an incredibly strange view!

Maybe in an 'ideal' world every woman would breastfeed but newsflash.. we don't live in an ideal world

There are so many women who would really suffer if they could only get formula on prescription

Years ago I knew a girl who had been raped by her dad as a child and she had a very warped view of her body... she didn't want to breastfeed. Should she have been forced to collect her formula milk on prescription? Should she have to justify to every GP she saw the reasons for this?

And culturally there are many women who have to do what the older women in the family tell them, if they go against them their lives wouldn't be worth living

If people think these types of scenarios are rare they are wrong, its very narrow minded to presume every woman has a lovely perfect life where things all go to plan

thatgirlsam

And no-one has mentioned the cost of GP's visits, prescriptions etc just to get milk for your baby

Ridiculous concept.

thatgirlsam

Women thinking other women have to breastfeed is as bad as men thinking the woman's breasts are his!

poet123

leandygandy wrote: »

TIME BREASTFEEDING 1 year
BENEFITS FOR BABY Lower risk of becoming overweight in later life and lower risk factors for heart disease as an adult

TIME BREASTFEEDING 2 years
BENEFITS FOR BABY Likely to have higher averrage scores on intelligence tests

Propaganda from the NCT;) which is not actually borne out by the evidence obtained from studies.

Nicki

thatgirlsam wrote: »

And no-one has mentioned the cost of GP's visits, prescriptions etc just to get milk for your baby

Ridiculous concept.

Not that I agree it's a good idea, but I got formula on prescription for my baby as he was lactose intolerant (to breast and regular formula) and I didn't need to see GP for repeats ever, or to pay a prescription charge. He got approx 2 months worth on one script and I just asked for a repeat when he was down to last tin, collected it in normal way and took it to chemist who handed over the milk. If I'd used the pharmacy prescription collection service, it would have been easier still. Would just have popped out to pharmacy like any other mum and been given my tins free of charge. DS was on it for around 9 months.

Gingham_R

poet123 wrote: »

Propaganda from the NCT;) which is not actually borne out by the evidence obtained from studies.

Actually, there is mounting evidence thus, although the demographics of the studies can sway the figures in my opinion.