Demographic

[ailbhe]

It's odd how many recently or hugely pregnant people I know, suddenly - I never did before I was pregnant myself. It's all a big conspiracy!

One by one, my family are asking me "What, you're not still breastfeeding her, are you? Why?" It's an effort to tell the truth - "Why not?" rather than come up with rational justifications along the lines of "WHO guidelines... NHS guidelines... The global average is over 3 years you know..." and, worst of all, "Because of her dairy intolerance." What am I doing, justifying myself like this? Feeding my baby is normal. Formula feeders don't have to suddenly justify why they haven't changed to something else at 9 months. Why is formula feeding more "grown up"? Why is breastfeeding only for young babies? What's wrong here?

Hi, choir.

Comments

[mrs-warwick.livejournal.com]

I used to have a list of fantastic comebacks for these situations. I'm sure you must have seen some of them. My favourite (in response to the comment 'you're not still feeding') was 'No, my mother lives to far away.'
I have been lucky not to receive any negative comments. My two sisters with children all breastfed for as long as the children wanted. My elder sister was quite distraught when her youngest self-weaned at 13 months.
to answer your questions 'I have no idea' fits for all three.

[ailbhe]

I have a list of witty ripostes for strangers ("When are you going to stop feeding her?" "Dunno. When are you going to stop eating?").

And my sister with children has never commented at all. It's the childless ones who express amazement. Even the one who was herself fed until 18 months.