I share similar experiences with mothers group and am also in a very well educated area, and after reading recent other bf threads that got very heated think although it is true that alot of people don't bf through lack of education/understanding it is also a fact that plenty of people do understand and know benefits but choose to ignore them or don't believe them. For those of us who are pro bf it is impossible for us to understand this but there are alot of things people do which I can't comprehend. Spreading the education is still very important as I think unfortunately alot of people are just happy to follow the majority so if bf was the norm as it used to be years ago and is physiologically less people would stop bf so quickly.
My parents recently sent me an article called when breastfeeding goes on too long.I was a bit angry (will post when am home) as was full of ridiculous statements. My parents have always been pro bf but seems now DD is 16 months they think should give up. She only feeds first thing and before bed anyway, I am back at work full-time but even when am home shows no interest in the day. As I am working bf also makes me feel close to her still even though our time is limited so no way am I giving up until she refuses.
Persephone the first four aba meetings I went to was just me and the counsellors whose kids are grown up and I was a little disappointed as thought would be good for socialising but I persevered and now there are more mums coming along and I write the bulletin. I really like the meetings as are quite different to mothers group.
Hi everyone, only just found this thread, but I'm glad I have cos I really feel passionate about bf, not that I get to talk about it much, and I love the idea of being able to share experiences with you girls. Especially some of you who are feeling a bit bummed out about MG's etc, or are in the early stages of bf and not feeling overly confident or whatever.
I am very proudly still feeding my 26month old (albeit generally only once a day now, sometimes two, sometimes none - although she doesn't appear to be thinking about stopping completely anytime soon) and am 37 weeks pg with my second. I can only applaud my dd's tenacity as we went through what I am sure was very low supply during my second trimester when I couldn't even really squeeze anything out myself - although she's always been the expert in getting it out, lol. supply does seem to be building again now though as second baby is nearly here. It always proved to me that bf is about much more than just physical nourishment, the emotional nourishment is amazing as well. Anyway I am most definitely the only one in my mg still bf, and have definitely bitten my tongue at times, especially when at around 3 months one of the girls in my mg said she was changing to formula as her baby had reflux on breastmilk, and because formula was thicker it wouldn't come up as much. I think she just wanted to stop, but didn't want to say that.
I must admit that as much as I have loved bf my DD, the idea that with the birth of my next baby impending, my consecutive years of bfing will likely be at least 4 years probably 5, I am a little freaked out. It just seems like such a hugely long commitment, and there have been times that I have craved underwire bras and not being quite so tied to my little one, and just as she can skip a day here and there, and I can see a bit of bodily freedom, it is all about to start again. does that make sense?? Like I love it, and I wouldn't change it, or give my next child any less than what my DD has been given but another 2 to 3 years is a long way in the future and is tiring just to think about lol. So I guess no matter how long you've been doing it, you can always use a bit of a support from those around you, so I guess it's lucky I've found this thread now.
Persephone - my only thought is to try not to think about what the other mum's in your group are doing. Mostly if they are talking formula up as the way to go, it is because they are feeling insecure about their choice and are looking for everyone else's ok. I can promise you that when they are all complaining about their bubs having colds or excema or other allergies, or that their children are up all night teething and not being able to settle them with a quick bf, or having to use panadol to lower a low grade fever when you can do it with a quick feed, you'll be thinking how you are the lucky one. (I better clarify that yes I know bf babies can get colds etc but in my experience the bf babies in my mother's group and with other friends too, were far less likely to.) Also the more you get to know girls on bb the more you will find you aren't the only one. I have been lucky enough to know a couple of other girls (just through my first belly group) who are also still feeding their 26 months olds - and we've even met in person. We're like in the 1 or 2% (can't remember which) in Australia still feeding our children at this age, and without bb I might just think I was the only one... lol.
Anyway that's enough from me, I look forward to being a part of this thread in the future.
This breastfeeding gig is making me hungry ... if I dare venture outside and do *gasp* physical work *shock horror* I have to stop really soon and shovel in a tonne of food. Its just silly ... and you should see the size of my evening meals. Which need to be followed by dessert, a post-dinner snack, and an evening snack. And yes, I'm losing weight.
Meanwhile Lump here is a great big barrel of roly-poly cuteness with rubber band wrists/ankles/everything and Michelin man legs. Geeee I wonder where all my calories are going
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