I know I am doing the right thing BUT

[Miss.September]

I've found that people I know who formula fed from day dot always try to push the point across about how good it is. They want to tell you straight away and always get it into the conversation somehow. I just figure that they're doing this because they're unsure that they've done the right thing. I wouldn't say anything about B/F DD unless asked, or if someone asked me if I wanted an alcoholic drink, and I find that is pretty much the same with other mums.

It is a personal choice, and sometimes the baby's choice and nobody else has the right to say otherwise. Don't worry about them.

Corelly x

[Arimeh]

I've found that people I know who formula fed from day dot always try to push the point across about how good it is.

Not everybody

[Miss.September]

Not everybody

Arimeh - wasn't having a dig. Sorry if it came across that way. Was talking about the people I know IRL. FWIW, I was a FF baby and I rekon I'm fine!!!!!!!

I feel really bad. Came out all wrong. Sorry hon. The reason behind me saying that is the people that I know who didn't b/f at all, it's always one of the first things that comes up in conversation, about how it doesn't harm kids, and b/f isn't all it's cracked up to be and they don't know why I bother and "just chuck her on the bottle". DD was b/f and we f/f as a top up at night too, up until a couple of weeks ago when I weaned her. I know the heartbreak that my mum went through in not being able to b/f my brother and I, so I would never (deliberatly) bag anyone who has chosen to f/f exclusively.



Corelly x

[Astrid]

It is tough when it happens. First time around I encountered a lot of it from MIL and one particular Mothers group mum. For some stupid reason it was seen bad form to comment on FF, but ok for her to "OMG your still feeding" when she felt like it
.
These days I just don't take it, but then I have been fortunate enough this time around to be surrounded by breastfeeders and supporters. Well there is MIL, but she is for a whole different thread.

Maybe next time they come around, maybe start off a general conversation on the ignorance of some people who make others feel bad for their own choices. Either that or confront them with a "why does it matter how I feed my child? I don't hassle you on what you do?"

Big :hugs: this kind of thing can really suck, but you are doing the right thing for your family.

[Arcadia]

it sounds really tough. Can you tell dh these people make you feel undermined as a parent? So hopefully you can be excused from seeing them so much. Seriously, no one needs to be told they are doing the wrong thing- do you know your local ABA group? They can work wonders at restoring your faith in breastfeeding!!

It shouldn't matter how you feed, but it obviously does to this woman so I would keep away from her.

[boomba]

Oh hun ...just try to ignore it and continue to feed youre precious baby how you like.
We as mums get critisized for everymove we make! Just be strong in yourself and be proud of how you are raisng your child xx

[Olive]

darl i know that look too

[nickle730]

Lily Dust, maybe you need to be direct with this woman? Something along the lines of "I know that you FF your baby and I absolutely respect your decision to do so. I choose to BF my DD and I ask that you respect MY decision." Perhaps by being direct you will be able to have an honest and open discussion rather than putting up with her snide comments!

It's interesting, I read around BB about many mum's feeling judged for BF their babies, particularly for how long they BF and how they go about feeding in public. I had to FF my babies and I often felt judged for FF them - I had plenty of people (friends and strangers) tell me that 'breast is best' and the result was that I felt guilty for not being able to provide that. Perhaps this journey would be easier for all of us if we could all offer our support and encouragement instead of judgement!

Sounds like you are doing a fabulous job with your DD, Lily Dust, and you shouldn't have to put up with 'friends' making you feel judged!

[Fleur]

Big hugs I know that you know you're doing the best thing for her, but ignorant people like that can get to you.

Maybe next time they come around, maybe start off a general conversation on the ignorance of some people who make others feel bad for their own choices. Either that or confront them with a "why does it matter how I feed my child? I don't hassle you on what you do?"

I would do exactly that.
Good luck hun & try to just let it roll off you, like Marcellus said it's about them, not you

[kelebek]

I agree with the others and you already know it is none of thier business and quite frankly if they feed thier LO a bottle of formula then you should be able to feed your LO in front of them too... ok off that soap box

You have nothing to suck up, my comebacks to comments like this are

'I am too much of a cheapskate and don't want to pay for something I can produce for free'
'I am too lazy to deal with bottles'
'WHO recommends BREASTfeeding until they are 2 and the world average is 4' I really like this world average cause it allows me to bring up points like if the average is 4 and there are lot's of people only breastfeed for a few months that must mean there are children over 4 still breastfeeding

I could go on but I think you get the picture

Congragulations on still feeding your LO this long and hope to read that you continue to do so for as long as you want