
Valeria - posted on 09/11/2012 ( 57 moms have responded )
9
4
1
I'm a part of this "teenager baby boom" and a lot of my friends have also had babies. They all also stopped breastfeeding. Most really early, within the first two months. I'm breastfeeding my 7 month old. I'm the only breastfeeding mom I know in person. I want to nurse him at least until he's 1 or 2. But I feel so alone, like no one understands me. A cousin told me she couldn't believe I was still nursing him, that he was huge and I didn't need to still be nursing him anymore. Anybody else ever feel like this?
MOST HELPFUL POSTS
Niki - posted on 09/17/2012
33
42
1
Congrats on making it 7 months and no, you are not alone. In the US, as babies approach their 1 year birthday, it seems more and more nursing moms "go underground" with nursing because unfortunately, in our culture, moms are worried they will be judged for nursing their older babies/toddlers/pre-schoolers. My son is 18 months old and still nursing, he enjoys it so much and it is the only time I can really get some snuggles with him since he's so busy the rest of the time! There are so many benefits to extended nursing for both moms and babies and as long as you want to continue and your little one wants to continue, don't let anyone deter you! Tell naysayers it's none of their business. How long you nurse your baby is your decision and it does not affect anyone else's life other than yours and your baby's, so in my opinion, everyone else can butt out. You will never regret nursing your baby for as long as you and he both want, you may regret stopping early because you feel you are alone or have no support. I have to say that nursing really became enjoyable for me once my little guy turned 1 because at that point I didn't have to pump anymore or worry about how much I was producing because it was merely a supplement at that point, so I could relax and just enjoy the time with him. As a labor & delivery nurse, I do notice that many teenagers seem ambivalent about breastfeeding, so I can understand how you feel you have no support, but there are lots of mamas out there nursing their older babies/toddlers etc., so even if you don't know them, I hope it helps to know you truly are not alone.
Celeste - posted on 09/11/2012
3,072
30
874
Congrats for nursing for 7 months! I think the best thing to do is education. I'm a bit older than you, and not many of my friends or family nursed. And I nursed my kids into toddlerhood. I think what helped me was just educating myself. I had medical fact versus their ignorant opinion, kwim?
Hang in there. Know you're doing the best thing for your child!
Kkrjrpleggett - posted on 09/21/2012
236
33
3
I do not understand all of the "taboo" surrounding breastfeeding these days! It completely blows my mind!!! Breastfeeding is the absolute most Natural, Healthy thing you can do for your baby! Breastfeeding is the ONLY way babies were fed for Thousands of years!!!! I am sorry that you do not have the support you should. I didn't either, I have 10 women in my family and None of them breastfed past a couple of months. CONGRATS to you for breastfeeding for 7!!!!! Please, if you are able to, keep it up!!!! Just educate yourself and try to remind others that A) it is the only way babies have been able to eat for Thousands of years, and B) it really isn't any of their business anyway! Those other women have no say in how you raise your baby! Good luck, and stick with me, we are all rooting for you!
Zoe - posted on 09/18/2012
20
0
1
Hey there, I was 24 when I had my son, and I nursed him for 3.5 years. People will always criticize cos they don't know any better. Keep doing what is right for you and you baby and get used to ignorance from others :) Keep it up - you are doing a wonderful thing for your son and for you!!!!!!!!
Bette - posted on 09/18/2012
23
0
0
First, I want to say that you are a great mom. Follow your heart with your baby and you will have less space for regrets. I, too have felt alone with breastfeeding. I am tandem nursing my 17 month old and my 3 year old. I am usually reluctant to talk about it because of the judgement I receive, mostly from other moms! My views on the matter are rather simple. I am their mother, it is my job to love, nurture, support and comfort my children. Since when is it okay for anyone else to tell mothers how long and what type of nurturing is acceptable? We wonder why society is going to poo, while we give our children artificial nipples with artificial food, artificially warmed and then propped up on a pillow. Children aren't being held, and cuddled. Who is going to do that when our society isn't focused on what is important? Formula companies have effectively minimized the importance of mothers, so we are told that we are bad mothers and not doing it right, when the exact opposite is true. NEVER let anyone belittle or minimize your importance to your children. What you feel, what you need, what you do is very important and your choice to BF in the face of adversity shows respect for yourself, your values and for your baby. I am proud of you and you should be proud of yourself. Keep following your heart and you will be just fine.