Why are people asking me about weaning already??
I find this odd. DD is only 7 months old. I was visiting family on the weekend and of course you get all the questions. It's like a bloody test, is she a good girl? is she sleeping through? are you still breastfeeding? how many feeds does she have a day?
Firstly, I find these questions rude and invasive! MYOB people. But I was baffled by what came next.
Her: Have you tried cutting any feeds out yet?
Me: uh..no...?? She feeds about every 3 hrs.
Her: ugh, I remember that :rolleyes:, don't worry, when she starts eating more you'll be able to cut it down.
Me: not replying, just thinking wtf is she on about?? I don't want to cut it down!
Her: I BF M for 10months, S for 12months, and L was the worst she just wouldn't let go and I BF her for 14 months.
Me: Oh, that's really good.
Her: Soon you'll be just able to feed her morning and night.
WTF?? Firstly, no, I don't think so, DD still feeds every 3 hrs despite having 3 meals a day and BF god knows how many times over night, lol. And I didn't say I didn't like it, why do ppl assume I want to stop already?? No way, I am sad at the thought she will wean eventually!! LOL. I've just always believed that til they're 1 (at LEAST!!) milk is super important and food not so much so I'm always trying to get more into her, hahaha. I thought everyone knew this and wasn't expecting weaning comments until she was at least 1!! Was not ready for that one!!
Silly me, must be ready for comments on ALL aspects of parenting.
Why are people asking me about weaning already??
Personally I think people "mind" because they don't want to be seen as thinking outside the Norm. If Aunty suddenly realises that lots of mums, heaven forbid, MOST mums BF until their child is say 2 years old then they will compare poorly wont they? They don't want to compare poorly so they try to insist that their way is the norm. Crazy isn't it how people are so egocentric... It's all about them so much that they can't actually celebrate that a child is receiving something so precious.
I outwardly often look like the last kind of person who would want to full term BF (I BF beyond 2 years)... I often can look too conservative and corporate... And I take much pleasure in telling people that I BF beyond 2 years as that is what the WHO recommends... Only my mother has challenged me on the wisdom of what I did... And that was because I think she felt guilty that she weaned early. Not that she ever had reason to feel this. She just chose to make it about her which is consistent with how she approaches most situations. With people like this you essentially just have to feel sorry for them and their immature social/emotional development. Just as you would feel sorry for anyone else with a debilitating learning difficulty. I know that sounds all superior... But it's better than feeling guilty for simply wanting to BF a child.
Keep the faith girls :grouphug: don't let people make you doubt yourself.
Why are people asking me about weaning already??
Of course everything I said in the above post doesn't apply to women who can't BF... That is a different kettle of fish. I'm just referring to women who don't believe breast feeding a baby beyond the newborn stage is normal and who weaned early because of this false belief.
