One of my colleagues got very grumpy and announced that someone she knew was "still" BFing when her child was 12 months old (she considered that it was "too old"). I just casually mentioned that the WHO recommends BFing to 2 years. If I'd been more prepared I would have added that in Mongolia, BFing beyond 2 years is common, and that I was BFed until I was 2 1/2, and that if DS wants it, he'll be BFed beyond 2 years as well. I'll be ready for it next time.

I really, truly believe that a LOT of the negative comments about BFing come from people who FF, and have their own baggage around that. I have to remind myself of that when I hear comments about BFing - that if they think BFing is bad/weird/pointless then it's actually, often, their "stuff" because for whatever reason, they didn't BF.

My SIL has recently started supplementing her 4 month-old DS with Formula. My MIL told me that it's because she has supply issues, and that besides, there's "no point" BFing beyond 6 months, and that I "shouldn't feel like I have to" BF after 6 months. I think she (and my FIL) think that BFing is just a hassle and that I'm looking forward to giving it up. They're about to receive an education on that

Oh, and I also believe that some of the comments are not negative, but curiousity. I myself asked a friend if she was "still BFing" her 18 month-old. But I didn't mean it as a negative comment, I was genuinely interested, and I had some questions for her about that, because I wanted to learn from her experience. I knew as soon as I'd asked the question that she had thought I was criticising her, because she became instantly defensive until she realised that I was not being negative at all. Next time I'll be thinking more about my words, but I'll also be conscious of it when someone asks me whether I'm "still BFing" - the question may be genuine curiosity, not criticism.

I heart BFing.