"Extended" Breastfeeding....

[Meercat]

DD is 14 months and still breastfeeding.

I am damn proud of myself, and her. We have gone through patches of trying to wean, but every time we both are not ready.

SO WHY everytime someone realises that I am still breastfeeding do I respond with "Yeah I now she is sort of slowing down" or "Yeah but only at night and not for much longer"

Lots of people have the usual reaction and comment about teeth, asking for it, and still breatsfeeding when she is five. But a suprising amount are really impressed and comment on how well I have done.

But I still have that moment of being hesitant and it is annoying me so much.

So, yeah just a little vent at myself. lol

[Heaven]

Hmm... I know what you mean. I'm BF a 2yr old and a 3 month old, LOL. Sometimes it seems like you have to say something before they jump in with their judgements but I really try not to. Just be ready with a phrase next time so that you don't have to think about it or get caught out, like 'Yep, we're still BF, I'm so proud of us!'

[Starlite]

Well done you should feel proud of yourself and your DD.

I'm still BF my 10 month old DS, and get comments too, very few mothers I know chose to BF, with less than a handful making it to six months. How do you go with teeth and how long are you going to keep going are always peoples first questions. I find myself a little sheepish in my response, feeling as though I have to defend our choice. I love BF, but when people comment, im... sort of embaressed. Which makes me mad at myself too. I usually inform them 'we will keep going for as long as we keep going' and leave it at that.

[Kmn]

I tended to use "while we're both happy we'll keep going" - which is a not exactly subtle way of saying "and if you are not me or my child then it is not your concern".
And there was certainly "asking for it", but that seemed to me to be the same as asking for anything else - and an opportunity to teach things like asking nicely and that sometimes you have to wait for things and that sometimes Mum even says no.

It also has its really funny moments - like watching my DS try and squeeze his own nipples to get some milk after realizing that Mum's were empty!

[Liz]

It's nothing to be ashamed of, or anything to hide. In fact I quite enjoyed looking shocked that people would even suggest I start to wean after 12 months! "what? why would I do that??" hahaha.

Don't feel embarrassed or that you need to sound like you're slowing it down at all.. be proud You're doing great! TBH I have no idea how I would survive the period of 12-24 months WITHOUT breastfeeding. It solves sleep issues, stops those frustrated tears... it fixes everything!