Proudly Breastfeeding for 1 and 1/2 years... and counting!

This is a post I wanted to write for a while now, and yesterday after I read this post, I decided to share both my experience and opinion...

I am breastfeeding my toddler for 1 and half years now, and I absolutely love it, I am proud of it, and I am not considering stopping anytime soon. .. I intend to keep breastfeeding as long as my son wishes it, and as both of us are comfortable doing it.

But let me explain firstly this, so I don´t came across as a “breastfeed  radical”…: I don´t think any less of mothers who don´t wish to do the same, and I understand breastfeeding as I am doing now  is not possible for certain life styles, work habits or simply…because a mother decides not to or simply can´t. Is simply a choice that should be left to any mother/baby pair… And it is ok, of course. We all have our child’s best interest at heart, and if a mother can´t do it,  or even if  is not comfortable/does not wish to… does not have to…is that simple. And is alright, and everyone will grow be happy and content independently of their sustenance, either from breast, bottle, other foods….

But on the other hand… I also expect the same level of understanding and respect of my choice to breastfeed and the length of it. It is well-known the long term benefits of nursing even after 1 year (read more here)… So I do get upset when I read that health practitioners say “you should quit breastfeeding” to a currently nursing mum.  And for what reasons is this said? Why should anyone quit breastfeeding? What are the benefits for a mum/baby pair to stop nursing? I really don’t understand this…

But still, I was expecting much more from educated health practitioners… 

Unfortunately breastfeeding is still not completely understood, and a nursing mum still receives some hurtful comments, even if they are not intended to hurt. I was recipient of some, from family members and friends. Questions as “what, you still breastfeed?” “what are you breastfeeding him until he is off to college, or something?” are often common, and they are oh, so hurtful. 

I suspect these comments unfortunately will not stop anytime soon, as breastfeeding and the length of breastfeeding raises passionate arguments from either sides of the topic. Remember the outrage the cover of Time magazine caused once (read more here)? 

I do enjoy breastfeeding my toddler. But it was not easy at all to begin with. It was incredibly difficult for us to learn the intricacies of breastfeeding…. Also my milk took a while to rise, maybe partially because my baby’s birth was complicated (this will be another story), and even after latching was really difficult for us to get the hang of it. So only after 2 months we were proficient at it… And now we are still going strong. So I am really proud of our little achievement.

I enjoy breastfeeding, and feeling my toddler close… But mostly I do it because I feel breastfeeding is the best for him. He is already is eating most foods, even eating by himself. But he still calls for me and asks to breastfeed some times. And why should I deny him this? And if he asks for it and there is no reason to decline, we shall breastfeed… 

For me, breastfeeding is so much more than providing nourishment. It provides as well comfort, security, sense of calm… it also is the ultimate pacifier when he is throwing a tantrum…

I respect other parenting choices. And I expect my decisions, choices, and parenting style to be respected and understood too. And you know what? If in one or two years I still choose to breastfeed… it should be respected the same.

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