being pressured

Lisa - posted on 02/23/2010

Mother in laws I'm not going to go there---I feel your pain! At least about breast feeding. I breast feed my son who is now 3 for two years and He has only been sick 3 times and got well very fast! Try to tell your husband to look at the benifits of breastfeeding, its not like you are asking him to help! Your daughter will let you know when she wants to stop, don't let any one tell you what to do with your baby, negativity may have a affect on let down reflex. Good luck! Oh and tell your husband he can have the boobs back when you daughter is done with them!

Cindi - posted on 02/23/2010

I'm so sorry you're getting grief for doing what is best for your child! US health recommends one year, World Health recommends TWO! :) I breastfed my first for only 7 months, I was getting harassed at work about my pumping... grrrr... With my son I was able to breastfeed for 23 months! My goal was 24... but he pretty much weaned himself. The process was very simple, he was ready! I dealt with my in-laws comments of "whoa! You're still breastfeeding?!?" with a simple smile and a yes. My husband was a little anxious about it after the one year mark. He'd make comments like I was going to 'mess with his head'... LOL... do you really remember being -24 months old??

Nursing is absolutely, 100% the best thing anyone can do for their baby! Just read the 'ingredients' on the label for any formula. What's the old saying, if you can't pronounce it you shouldn't eat it!

Just tell them all, the benefits out weigh the difficulty of it. It is NOT always the most convenient! My son would NOT take a bottle (of breastmilk). It's hard to get out and have alone time, etc... You could try getting them some information, that may help. It's really difficult explaining to the older generations as breastfeeding was kind of pushed to the side for many years in the past. Knowledge (for your mom in-law) or thick skin to grin and ignore the comments with the knowledge that YOU are doing what is best for YOUR child will get you through this!!!

Please don't quit! Breast is best!!!

Betty - posted on 02/23/2010

My daughter is a year old and honestly I don't plan to stop until she's ready...which naturally they say is about 2 or 2 1/2. Maybe you can look at the WHO studies on breastfeeding and send your husband to do the same?

Jennifer - posted on 02/22/2010

Tell your family you are using your mammary glands appropriately and trying to reduce the risk of breast cancer. As for your mother, she may not have been supported to breastfeed and is trying to find some validation for how she raise you and your siblings. Perhaps acknowledge that she did the best she could with the information she had. Also look into a La Leche League meeting in your area. You may find more mother to mother support and others dealing with the same issues.

Nora - posted on 02/22/2010

Its your choice. Sure, I got remarks form my in laws and my own mother who never breastfed me to start weaning my child as early as 8-9 months. At the end of the day its what you and your child desire. BF for as long as you want or start the weaning process but keep the morning and night feedings.
I weaned my daughter at 13.5 months. It was not easy but it wasn't the end of the world either.

Renee - posted on 02/22/2010

I would love to offer some advice... I was not for breastfeeding originally and had a lot of pressure to breastfeed and came to the conclusion that I would try it. I did not grow up around this nor did I really know anyone that breastfed. So after just about immediate success and complete ease with it I came quite attatched to the notion of being the food for my son. My husband and mother-in-law were tickled because that is all they knew and grew up with. As time went on and we got closer to the 1 year mark I was desireingtime for me and nopads in the bra and no time limit on my outings I was thinking about weaning, and with signs from my son it was about that time.I didn't rush a thing- and my husband who wanted me to nurse so badly was saying the same thing about taking too long. How ironic right. Don't let anything stress you about this. Do it on your time and the baby and yourself will be happier. Your milk is worry free for the baby and less tummy aches is a good thing. Substitute one glass of cows milk for a major meal of nursing- like the morning feed. If the doc gave the green light on cows milk than you can meet half way and only give the cup when daddy is around. And my biggest suggestion- if you only nurse from breast and don't put it in a bottle skip the bottle. Anything other than breat is foriegn to the baby- even a "lifelike nipple" on a bottle. Skip that and wean from breast to some form of sippy cup. Beast thing I did and my sone really doesn't even know what a bottle is really. If it feels good and right and natural than stick to your prefference! Mother knows best about their own child- not grand child lol, so do whats right for you in your heart but don't let her learning and growing be impeaded by the desire to stay latched. I happily nursed till my son was 13 months. Best of luck!!

Cristine - posted on 02/22/2010

bunch of ignorant people !!!Stop when you want to ! It is your baby and he came from you .... You sacrifice your body ,time and everything else , so do what you think is best. Let people talk because they always will does not matter what you do. You can't please everyone !!! Mothers-in -law can be a challenge,but just tell everyone that the "doctors " said that you are right , it always works for me,plus they never question my baby's doc

Shawna - posted on 02/22/2010

I BF until 19 mos and it did take a couple weeks of avoiding my daughter by not having her sit on my lap or in the rocking chair but it wasn't bad. Can you print out some info from professionals about the benefits of BF and share with him? Do what you feel is best for you and your child.

Angela - posted on 02/22/2010

Sounds to me like your hubby may be a little jealous of the bonding time. My son weaned just fine at 1 years old. It took a few weeks which was actualy a good thing because it hurts your breast less to do it gradually. We had to experiment with sippy cups until we found one he would use (ended up being the cheapest one on the market! joke on us). You are doing fine. Your husband needs to talk about his reall feelings. good luck and keep it up :)

Katie - posted on 02/22/2010

It is recomended that you breastfeed for a minimum for one year. Two if possible. You are doing the best thing for your baby, saving yourself money, creating a bond, and then theres also the benefits for yourself. I would tell them that while you appreciate their input, you know what is best for you and your child. Get them information on breastfeeding if they have a problem with it. Educate them. Some people are just uncomfortable with breastfeeding. In the end what matters most is your child, not their opinions!

Ronise - posted on 02/21/2010

Keep going!! I was occasionally questioned by my mother-in-law and others, but I didn't let it stop me. I took my cues from my twin boys who especially needed to nurse when they woke up in the morning, at nap time and before bedtime. Once they began eating more food, the number of nursing sessions we had in a day dropped to 3 or 4. We kept going strong until just shy of them being 2.5 years old. Do what feels right to you for your child. She will wean when she's ready, not on someone else's timetable.

Rebecca - posted on 02/21/2010

Nicole, you are incorrect that babies are "only" nursing for comfort after 9 months. Breastmilk should be baby's primary food for the first year of life, with solids being gradually introduced between 6-9 months and comprising no more than 50% of baby's diet at 1 year old. Gerber has given American parents the perception that babies need lots and lots of solid food starting as early as 3-4 months, but that's just not true.

Also, I wanted to point out that you ARE a "human pacifier". What do you think the plastic pacifiers are modeled after? A human nipple, of course! Your breast is the first and best "pacifier" or soother for your baby. Allowing your baby to nurse for comfort ensures a good milk supply and a healthy attachment to a person, not a piece of plastic. Even if you choose to introduce a plastic pacifier later, you really should avoid it for the first 3-4 weeks until your milk supply is well-established and baby's latch is perfected. And keep in mind that having a pacifier at night is not recommended past about 3-4 months of age, since babies begin to form habits and can have difficulty falling asleep without the pacifier at that age. My son never took a plastic pacifier, and I was very glad about it!

I see that you are expecting your baby very soon...I just want to give you a piece of advice, since it sounds like you do want to give your baby the gift of breastfeeding: try not to make so many assumptions and have such a negative attitude -- breastfeeding can be challenging in the early weeks, and if you haven't fully committed yourself, it can be all too easy to give up at the first sign of trouble. On the other hand, once you see your sweet baby and begin nursing, I don't think you'll continue to feel "uneasy". And your attitude may change about how long you will nurse. You will realize that a 9 month old is still very much a baby and still needs your milk very much.

Darcel - posted on 02/21/2010

Sorry u have to deal with that. Babies usually self wean when they are ready. I say talk to your dr and listen to him/her. give your dr's advice to your hubby and tell him to stop listening to his mother. it is rare for a doc to tell a mommy to wean. Finally, politey ask your mother-in-law to butt out.

Mandy - posted on 02/21/2010

ASk him if he wants a new TV - if you continue to BF till 2 or beyond you will have saved enough in formula/cows milk to buy a new one - worked for me - still BF 28 month old and have a new TV as well..........

Nicole - posted on 02/21/2010

they say its healthy till 2 years of age!!!!!.... i wouldn't be able to do it that long personally...i would have a hard time once the child got older past 9 months or so and that is just personal preference because by that time most babies just to continue to nurse as a comfort factor and im not a human pacifier.

and frankly im uneasy about breast feeding but i know its better for my child then formula so im willing to give it ago.

it's up to the mother really and the child some will stop breast feeding on their own before that others wont.

Michelle - posted on 02/21/2010

I am still breastfeeding my 17 month old and when he was only a few months my husband and mum in law where constantly pressuring me on when we where going to stop. I stuck to my guns and said when he is ready. Even now I still get the comment still breastfeeding shouldn't he be off by now. I ignore it I am doing what is best for my baby. It is yours and baby choice.

Michelle - posted on 02/20/2010

Some people just don't get it . Especially a "mother-in-law" who probably thinks breastfeeding is odd because in "her time" every one used bottles and didn't give a darn about feeding their baby crappy formula .
My advice, have dear hubby go to next dr visit and just ask the dr straight forward if breastfeeding is still good for your child . Hubby can not argue what the dr says and dr's are supposed to incourage it .
As far as the MIL . oi ! Just pay no mind to her . I know that can be hard , and unfortunately closed minds do not come with closed mouths .

Jessica - posted on 02/20/2010

don't let anyone pressure you! Wean if you want to and if your baby is ready but not because someone else thinks you should! My own mother keeps hinting for me to wean my baby to a bottle (my daughter doesn't like bottles) so she can feed her sometimes. I told her no way!!!

Shannon - posted on 02/19/2010

My husband was completely supportive of me breastfeeding so I got lucky there. I was told by one person to stop breastfeeding just so I could go back to work but me and my husband had planned on me to be a stay at home mom so that person was just being a jerk. Don't stop breastfeeding just because someone else pressures you to stop, it's great that you are breastfeeding. When you choose to stop is completely your decision no one elses.

Julianne - posted on 02/19/2010

Don't let anyone pressure you into not breastfeeding!! It is the best thing for babies and they do stop when you decide to wean them off and they can sometimes wean themselves off without your help. Your husband and motherinlaw should be supporting your decision to breastfeed not hindering you or pushing you to stop! Once she is eating solids, she will get to the point of only drinking once or twice a day anyway! When babies are breastfed, they don't suffer illnesses quite as much as bottlefed babies. Breastfed babies only drink what they want and they get quicker with time. If a baby is sick and is being bottlefed, sometimes you can't feed them milk but if they are breastfed, they can still have milk. Do they not realise that even feeding via a bottle you have to get them to give that up too by 1yo also, which can be harder than getting them to give up breastfeeding! Do your best to continue breastfeeding if that's what you want!

Vern - posted on 02/19/2010

I was told once while breastfeeding my 3 month old baby "what are you doing only animals do that". My mother in law always ran to throw a blanket on me, even though I have never exposed myself. You will get a lot of rude comments and a lot of "wonderful" advice by everyone. Try to surround yourself with moms who nurse like you. I was ashamed and wanted to stop but my baby wasn't ready. I met a wonderful nurse at a hospital while getting a checkup who asked me if I ever breastfed my baby and I told her that I still breastfed her and then looked down out of embarrassment and she congratulated me and told me not to stop until the baby was ready. It just takes 1 person to change your life! I nursed her till she was 2, did a lil bit of tandem nursing. I now have 5 children and 1 on the way. I have nursed them all and they have stopped when they were ready, despite my mother in laws "wonderful" advice (put coffee on yourself or lemon or anything really strong because they are too old and it's weird). It really helps if you surround yourself with supportive ppl. I've been very blessed w/ a wonderful husband and awesome friends. Good luck

Kathy - posted on 02/19/2010

Why is HE making these decisions? It's your body and your son.. you do what's best. Most kids will wean on their own starting at 9mo to a year.. he needs to chill out and get some respect for you.

Kate - posted on 02/19/2010

Everyone has an opinion. If people who have never breastfed are giving you advice on breastfeeding, use your common sense. My daughter will be two in a week, I am still nursing her. I don't call it breastfeeding anymore because it is more for comfort and closeness now. Do as you wish with no regrets. It is your baby.

Rebecca - posted on 02/19/2010

I just read through the other comments and wanted to add, don't let yourself be pressured to pump and give a bottle instead of breastfeeding. Pumping and giving expressed milk is preferable to using artificial milk, but it's not as good as breastfeeding. Nutrients are lost in the pumping/storage/reheating/feeding process, and babies do not feed from a bottle the same as they do from the breast, so they may seem to require more expressed milk to feel full. Not to mention, pumping is not easy -- it's time consuming, and most moms find that over time, they have difficulty keeping up with baby's needs for several reasons: a pump can never be as effective as a baby; when baby has a growth spurt, you will fall behind unless you make an effort to pump more frequently for several days; and mom's hormones do not respond the same to a pump as they do to a baby, which can affect supply. Babies also do not get the same benefits to their jaw/mouth development from a bottle as they do from breastfeeding (in fact, bottlefeeding is detrimental to oral muscular development, which is why doctors recommend removing the bottle at 1 year).

And as others have mentioned, you will still have to wean your baby off the bottle, which is actually more difficult. With breastfeeding, baby is attached to a person, not an object, so when you wean you are not severing that relationship to the person, just changing it. Whereas with weaning from a bottle, you are totally removing an object from baby's life, which can cause a lot of difficulty.

Here are some more links I found for you to use in convincing your husband to support you:

Kellymom.com: What should I know about infant formula? http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/i...

Breastmilk should be your baby's primary food through the first year of life: http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids...

Rebecca - posted on 02/19/2010

Your baby is too young to be thinking about weaning her! Weaning now will mean introducing inferior artificial baby milk, which may cause digestive problems in the short-term as well as putting her at risk for many problems in the future. For your daughter's sake, you need to explain calmly to your husband why you will continue to breastfeed your daughter, then stand your ground. I would also tell him to adjust his expectations about weaning -- there is no reason she should be weaned at 1 year, and doing so will deprive her of nutrition, immune, and emotional benefits. Also, if she's not ready, abrupt mother-led weaning can be very damaging emotionally.



I think you should try to surround yourself with like-minded, supportive people (mothers groups, La Leche League meetings), and deal with those who are not supportive by calmly stating "this is what's best for my child and for me; if you can't be supportive, I don't want to discuss this with you anymore." Easier said than done with certain family members or close friends, but all you can do is try to educate them, then ignore them. Here's some info to share with your husband and MIL:



The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) policy statement on breastfeeding: "Exclusive breastfeeding for approximately the first six months and support for breastfeeding for the first year and beyond as long as mutually desired by mother and child." http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/feb...



The World Health Org. recommends breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond (their official position is that weaning should be avoided before age 2). http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/infa...

Crystal - posted on 02/19/2010

follow your instincts and your babies lead .. .your baby will wean when your baby is ready. Your mom, and its ultimately your choice, and as for the in laws, its not their business, if you must, express and feed it to the baby when the in laws are around, and explain to your husband how you feel, he should be supportive and stand behind you.

Dana - posted on 02/19/2010

Wow, 16 weeks, that's only just one third of the way through her first year. I think you should stop breastfeeding when you and your baby are ready, not when others tell you to. You might be ready sooner or later than you plan. Personally I wouldn't put a time limit on it. If you set that limit too soon, you might get to it and still find yourself happily nursing and possibly feel pressure to wean just because the time has come. If you set the time limit too late, you might put pressure on yourself to nurse longer than you're actually happy to. Both of those would only be associated with extra stress you just don't need, and your baby will know that and be affected by it.

My personal experience was that I set my time limit too late, and found myself stressing because I wanted to "get to that date" but we were both ready to start weaning. We are still breastfeeding twice a day at 9 months, and we're both comfortable with that reduced amount. We are both much happier than when I tried to force the boob onto him when he just didn't want it anymore.

Jacqueline - posted on 02/19/2010

You have alot of posts and help coming from all angles here! Its amazing! I Love it! I just wanted to give you a little of my 2 cents.
I have a 13 month old who is still mainly nursing. I have gotten so many rotten looks from people, considering I have nursed anywhere from a grocery store to the mall. I plan on nursing her until 2 AT LEAST then if she wants to wean then she can wean herself :)
Many parents are telling me that when they get teeth I should wean but my daughter has 2 teeth right now and 2 more coming in on top, yes she has bit me but that is not going to stop me from feeding my daughter. Try not to be pressured to stop. That is YOUR baby and YOU ARE FEEDING your baby. Try to talk to your hubby about how good it is to breastfeed. How your baby will not get sick very much and how much healthier the baby will be! My husband HATED BF-ing and still does because he thinks it is gross. Some people are like that. But he has grown to accept the fact that I am not going to stop feeding my baby what she wants most. Have you tasted formula? Have you tasted your Breast milk? I have - both of them! And let me tell you Formula is gross! I felt bad giving my daughter that (as I have to supplement feed for a while) and most of the time she did not take it.
Keep with it girl and make sure you stand proud of what you do! Its a beautiful thing! Also you may want to contact your Local La Leche League, they ahve a bunch of great help, tips and support!!
Good luck and feel free to contact me if you need to vent :)

Mandy - posted on 02/19/2010

My husband also thinks a year is a good cutoff point. I think my daughter and I are about ready to wean as well, so I haven't argued with him. She is 11 months old and only nursing at night now and seems to have handled the transition well. If I didn't want to stop though, I would not, even if my husband wanted me to. He is supportive of me and my decisions about this. I kind of like still having that one feeding at night and may continue it even after a year, and I know he won't complain about it. We just won't tell anyone else because it is really none of their business anyway. Both of our parents have always asked when I plan to wean her, even when she was only a few months old! They would say, "well when she has teeth you will have to stop, "or talk about how someone they knew bf until 18 months and how weird that was, ughhh. People are just so uneducated. I only bf my first for 4 months because I went back to work and pumping was just not going well for me. I didn't want to stop, and became a little depressed over it for a long time because I wasn't ready, and she would turn to me to feed and I couldn't, it was hard. If you and your baby aren't ready, don't wean! Just show your husband all of the articles about the benefits of extended bf and about the recommendations of the WHO, etc. If it bothers him what others think, just don't tell them. Good luck to you.

Aurelia - posted on 02/19/2010

My son was breastfed for 18 months. He stopped when he was ready. Don't be pressured by it.

April - posted on 02/19/2010

YES YES YES YES!! just let it go in one ear and out the other. don't bring it up. if they do, find a way to avoid the topic. just go about your merry way breastfeeding.

Nikki - posted on 02/19/2010

Maureen,

I know how you are feeling, my son is 4 months now but for his first 2 months he was really miserable, he had colic really bad. and my mother in law had my husband convinced it was bc of my breast milk. and they would try to tell me I had to use formula and it would make him happier. I said look I am the mom and I know it is colic and I am not going to use formula. I want him to have the best and breast milk is so much better for them. Stay strong and remember your the mom, you know what is best. No one is raising your kids but you, and you do it the way you want. Even if that means you have to make some people mad. You are the one who is there to protect your baby!! Good luck!

Frances - posted on 02/19/2010

I am a mother of 4...though as you can see everyone's story is different. Take what you need from each one and know that it was given with love and support from us :). now for my story



I was an older mother the first time(25) and I was so in love with my husband (though I still am) I would do anything in the world to please him...I expected to nurse until my DD was 24 months...but was pregnant. after a short time. I broke her at 15 months and it was the hardest heartbreaking thing for me to do. There was comments from family given...his sister felt that it should stop when the baby started to remember or had conscience thought (started understanding right from wrong) His mom was unable to nurse anyone until my DH so she thought it was great but like others felt there was a cutoff. I have since had three more children. They all nurse respectively 15months,15 months, 12 months and currently nursing for 2 1/2.



Realize advice is usually give gently but but originated from opinion....and you 've heard what they say about opinions...right? everyone has one...some are bigger than others. And remember that opinions are thoughts and feeling based on experiences of that specific individual. no one has ever lived a life exactly like another so take it from there. It may be very very hard for you to stand your ground, taking that into account know that no matter what your journey with your child will be individual. try to enjoy it...in this regards you may find it easier to compromise and pump, or just say No...I am doing this naturally...no matter what you choose make sure when you look back years from now it was your decision and on your terms not swayed one way or the other by people who will not be raising your child.



a side note. My Sister in law and I are still on very good terms, and his mother and I have come an understanding. The point in that is to let you know no matter what you choose, things work out :)

Jamie - posted on 02/19/2010

My oldest daughter self weaned herself, at about 10 months she dropped herself down to 1 nursing session in the morning then any time I offered the rest of the day she would refuse. I nursed her the morning of her first birthday and since that she has been off breast and bottles. My second who is 10 months old refused to take bottles she had one at 2 weeks and 4 weeks and then refused. She was stubborn about cups for a few months but now she will drink juice from a cup but will only take breast milk right from the source. I intend to allow her to nurse as long as she would like, my goal is one year but if she doesn't want to wean by then I am not forcing it.



I don't think men/or nonbreastfeeders understand the benefits or the bonding. Pumping full time can cause a dip or a loss in milk, the best thing to do is keep taking baby to breast. At least I'm sure you will find many supporters on here.

Jessica - posted on 02/19/2010

16 weeks and your hubby is talking weaning?! ugh he should be flogged.... men...





thats awesome that your sister is supporting you - maybe she can help buffer between the negative people??

Jessica - posted on 02/19/2010

I've had a family member or two suggest that my DD is too old (16 months), and I simply throw out the WHO recommendation of 24 months at them. Their opinion should be based off of what's best for your baby, which is YOUR milk! My DD eased down the number of feedings on her own as she ate more and more table food. I do not give her cups of breastmilk, just regular milk and juice or water. She nurses mainly for comfort during teething (molars - YUCK!) and to settle down for sleep. I would ask your husband why he thinks 1 year has to be the 'cut off' for something that his child obviously enjoys and benefits from? As for your MIL... well I think they're just going by some hidden rule book of 'must make criticizing comments about DIL's parenting skills' or something. Remind them that you made a decision based on the health of your child and you would appreciate if they supported you in your journey to continue to be the best mom you know how.

Georgia also brought up having to take a bottle away anyways - and I spent 3 months of stress and screaming baby when I had to take it away from my oldest (I breastfed her for 6 months and then thanks to an incurable thrush infection my supply disappeared entirely never to return). My youngest has been effectively weaning herself as she's ready - I can't argue with that!

Besides - the longer you breastfeed, the lower your chances of breast and/or uterine cancer! HELLO health benefits for YOU!

Anneke - posted on 02/19/2010

I hate when poeple pressure, its none of their business and your doing a great job and have a healthy baby for it to! I am breastfeeding a year and dont feel like stopping , my son has never been sick and is a big strong healthy boy. You can see in my profile pic how good he is. Why would anyone want to ruin that? because they are ignorant , under educated in breastfeeding,. You go as long as you feel like it.
Here is a link someone else posted here that may help for the benefits of breastfeeding past a year.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/eb...

Belinda - posted on 02/19/2010

Wow that must be hard for you.

Stop at 12 months - why? If you want to keep going and baby wants to keep going, then keep going. Ignore what others' say, including your husband.

I b/f my 6 month old and 2 year old. It's sooo great. We are all happy (dad too). :)

Darby - posted on 02/18/2010

I was only able to breastfeed my first for 2 months...I was young (18) and inexperienced and didn't like to ask for help. I breastfed my next two children each for their entire first year. It took 2 weeks after my 2nd child turned a year old in order to wean her. It took 1 week to wean my son after his first birthday. They both seemed to start the process on their own. I fully intend to breastfeed my fourth and final child when she arrives. Breastfeeding gives your child the best start possible...not saying formula doesn't do good for them either. My first child was formula fed after the 2nd month and she is just as healthy and smart as can be. It is up to you and your baby when to wean.

Eve - posted on 02/18/2010

My baby boy is almost 8 months and I am still mainly breastfeed him, I have started giving him little bit of baby cereal since he was almost 7 months old and now he also get some apple sauce and mashed banana... I do get looks too sometimes and If I dont know them well,. I don't even bother explaining myself. But when I get questioned by family members, I do try to explain myself, I realized they get their info from the 70s so I try not to get offended rather I try to educate them, at the beginning, I even print out pages of info for my in laws about the benefits of breastfeeding.. And if they still wouldn't shut up about it..I tell them to go have babies themselves and do whatever they want with their baby and I will do whatever i want with my baby...:p

Angela - posted on 02/18/2010

I cried when I stopped breastfeeding my two children. And having my two kids so close I was pregnant or breastfeeding for 3 years straight! It is such a short time in your life that you have that opportunity to give that to your little one and when it's over it's over. Bitter sweet...but my point is it's your time with your little one and no one should decide but you and your baby when it should end. I definately got the looks with my daughter because she was a year old but you know what is right for you and tell the rest of them to butt out. In hindsight it's like a blink of their childhood, enjoy it!

Maureen - posted on 02/18/2010

my hubby thinks she won't want to wean from the breast. i showed him how expensive formula is since we had our son 4 yrs ago but he still wants me to put her on a bottle. she used to take one and has been refusing a bottle for the last 5 weeks now. tried a sippy but still working on it. doc suggested a cup. i pump when i'm working but she will fight something terrible and eventaly gives in to the bottle. i still nurse her weather any one likes it or not. my sisters are bout the only ones supporting me in this. my daughter is 16 weeks old on sat.

Melinda - posted on 02/18/2010

i have never been pressured not to breastfeed but i say screw em! youre the mom you know whatas best and its up to you if you want to continue or not. Especially if you stay at home theres no reason to worry about when she weans, i say keep nursing until 18 months then start tryign to wean and if not working, seek help from her doctor and other breastfeeding moms on weaning once shes 2

Marissa - posted on 02/18/2010

Tell him that there are proven benefits until 2 years of age and that if she and you want to breastfeed then you should do it as long as possible. As long as you feel comfortable that's all that matters in the end. But if you want to compromise with him you can always pump so that she's still getting the breastmilk and it's benefits but getting it from a bottle.

Lorie - posted on 02/18/2010

Who cares what people say, you stop breastfeeding when you and your baby are ready.
As I told another mom that had almost the same problem. Tell them where to go, i just had to tell my father-in-law to get over it that I was breastfeeding in front of him.
I hope this helped and good luck

Jen - posted on 02/18/2010

You stop when you want to. Breast milk is best for the baby, I mean you can stop nursing and start pumping so the baby is still getting all those goodies.
Sorry to hear other people around you arent being supportive, if it was your husband that would be one thing. I am sure you can tell him about all the goodies and financial happieness in breastfeeding/pumping and he might understand. But your mother in law has no right to say a word. I have had some big issues when it comes to in laws, so forgive me if I ramble. Just dont listen and do what you feel is best, of corse talk to the hubby and see if he can understand but anyone else its non of there buissness!

Jamie - posted on 02/18/2010

OMG that is absurd! Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your little one and is even suggested to go past a year. If you don't mind me asking what is your husbands reasoning for this?

Georgia - posted on 02/18/2010

i havent had the pressure yet, but people do give me looks when they hear i still breastfeed my 6mnth old. the way i look at it is i want what is best for my son and its healthiest for the baby to be breastfeed. so i dont care what others think or say cause my sons health is most important to me. try and explain why you dont want to stop breastfeeding and if they dont understand then just forget about it and remember what is best for your child. if your husband doesnt understand then just keep telling him you want what is best for baby, and think of all the money you are saving not buying formula. my boyfriend tryed telling me to stop till i showed him the price of formula. and besides your gonna have to take the bottle away from the baby sooner or later too.