MIL rant! And 1 year BF Milestone!

[Alexas Mommy]

OH and I have decided that we will be continuing to breastfeed Alexa, until at least 18 months-or if she weans herself I was soo happy when OH agreed that this is what is best for Alexa and I, as it is hard to find anyone around, that supports breastfeeding past 12 months let alone 6 months I told my MIL today, and she asked me why I would want to contiinue breastfeeding She only breastfed OH once, and she didn't enjoy it, so discontinued-fair enough, so thatwould be why she wouldn't understand the attachment, but she went on to say, that she had a problem with people breastfeeding, when the child was old enough to ask for the boob WTF? Alexa doesn't "ask" for the boob, she knows she only gets breast milk, in the morning, and in the night, before bed, and sometimes before naptime-that's only 2-3 times a day-she knows her schedule. I think that having a problem with that, is as stupid as having a problem with a child asking for a bottle-don't you think? She also asked, what about Alexa's weight? I was like what about it? and she was like, well breastmilk is fatty, aren't you concerned about her gaining weight? I was like no! She hasn't gained weight in two months, and breastmilk has less fat than formula! She went on to say that there is no difference between formula and breastmilk No, I don't think Alexa will be better than a formula fed baby, but I do believe she will benefit from my breastmilk-obviously, or I wouldn't do it!

Anyway, sorry about the rant-also like to thank Mervs_Mum-great support and lots of help around here with breastfeeding-I don't visit this section very often, but I may need to, as there is not much support IRL here.

 

[mommyof3co]

Breastmilk changes as the baby ages...formula does not...right now it's exactly what she needs. Breastfed babies tend to gain very fast for the first 6mo then really slow down..which is why she hasn't gained lately I never get the "they shouldn't have it once they can ask", they ask from day one when they cry for it. Hayden was signing for it before he was 1..why would I wean him off and put him on something that isn't as good? That arguement just never made sense to me. I think you should do what you feel is best, don't let her get to you. My goal was 18mo with Hayden and we made it t 19mo and I'm so glad we did, I'm sad it's overnow, I really miss it

 

[cupcake]

well done dont worry what others think

 

[Mervs Mum]

Hey sweetie! Well I for one am EXTREMELY proud of you for sticking to your guns. These people who claim that it's unecessary to BF past 6 month need to go boil their heads. Your MIL has no real grounds for suggesting that what you are doing isnt beneficial to Alexa. You and I both know that there are many physical and emotional benefits to continuing. And so far as weight goes.....pfft!! Cow's milk is designed with bulk and muscle in mind - hence the obsession by some HVs and the like with 'feeding up' BF babies with formula so they gain more weight!!! You know what honey - you are damned if you do and damned if you dont with some people. I do believe that people who havent BFd and are extra pushy about people stopping at a certain time - like your MIL - are doing to help them feel better about their own choices. Anyone who is 100% comfortable with their choices wouldnt give a flying fandango!!! My mother FF me and my sister and my sister FF my nephew but you know what, they are 100% happy that they made the right choices for them so they have never, ever said anything negative to me about BFing and they know I intend doing 12 months MINIMUM!!

I'm still on the look out for more interesting stuff for you honey

BIG to you and your beautiful healthy girl......great job!!!!

xxx

 

[Alexas Mommy]

Thanks Ladies Haha, I made the argument to MIL, that from the day Alexa was born she was rooting for a boob all babies do-whether they sign for it, root for it, ask for it-all the same thing in my opinion. I did feel that she was trying to make herself feel better about her decision not to continue breastfeeding, but I can respect that she didn't breastfeed, as that was her personal choice-nothing to be ashamed of there, but I also, should not be made feel uncomfortable for continuing breastfeeding, because this is mypersonal choice! I think this is what is best for Alexa, and it is still comfortable-Yes, at the beginning, I did say "i will never breastfeed past 6 months" then I realized that was silly-I can say i won't be breastfeeding when Alexa is 4,5,6 etc but come on-she is 1! I find it sad that society has to be so opposed to feeding your children, the way that you choose-Alexa is not a cow-she is human-cows don't drink my milk-so why is it being pushed on me. That comment is not meant to offend formula/cows milk feeders btw-but I mean-I don't agree that I should be pushed into feeding milk that was designed for a cow, into my human baby/toddler, when i am still comfortable feeding breastmilk!

thanks again!

 

[Samantha675]

WEll done hun. As of tomorrow morning I will have been nursing for 12 months as well!


Here ya go:
https://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m220/benandgeorgialee/Breastfeeding%20Milestone%20Blinkies/12-month-bfing.gif

 

[ryder]

umm to be fair, formula does change, at least here we have several different ones for different ages...

However, as a friend of kari, i'd like to say.... SCREW MILS!!!!!! You know whats best for you and Alexa, she is doing fine and I think as she becomes more active her weight will even out.. Im sure that is why she hasnt gained anything in the past 2 months... You did such a great job, I can only hope to have the luck of a second chance to try bfing next time!

 

[Sarah88]

Congrats hun

 

[sparkswillfly]

Its absolutelu fantastic you have got so far and are still going strong! I wish I could have done the same.

 

[JennyLynn512]

I agree....screw your MIL. I having been breastfeeding Valerie for a year and a week now. We're currently trying to wean her onto cow's milk, but I absolutely love nursing her and will at least continue to at night before she goes to sleep. My reasons for weaning have to do with cutting down on how much she nurses, because I still haven't had a menstraul cycle since Val was born and we're going to begin trying for baby #2 here in 3 or so months. Therefore, I'm trying to cut down the times she nurses so that my period will possibly come back! Hope so! Anyway (sorry about going off on a rant), I say be proud of how long you have breastfed and don't worry about what others think. You are her Mommy...no one else!!!

 

[Alexas Mommy]

umm to be fair, formula does change, at least here we have several different ones for different ages...

However, as a friend of kari, i'd like to say.... SCREW MILS!!!!!! You know whats best for you and Alexa, she is doing fine and I think as she becomes more active her weight will even out.. Im sure that is why she hasnt gained anything in the past 2 months... You did such a great job, I can only hope to have the luck of a second chance to try bfing next time!

thanks Joss I hope I didnt say anything that may upset a formula feeder. My point is always feed what is best for child and mom-here, this is whats best for us

I am sure you will do fine next time, and even if not breastfeeding, it's all good, and makes you no less of a good mom-you know that already though

 

[Alexas Mommy]

I agree....screw your MIL. I having been breastfeeding Valerie for a year and a week now. We're currently trying to wean her onto cow's milk, but I absolutely love nursing her and will at least continue to at night before she goes to sleep. My reasons for weaning have to do with cutting down on how much she nurses, because I still haven't had a menstraul cycle since Val was born and we're going to begin trying for baby #2 here in 3 or so months. Therefore, I'm trying to cut down the times she nurses so that my period will possibly come back! Hope so! Anyway (sorry about going off on a rant), I say be proud of how long you have breastfed and don't worry about what others think. You are her Mommy...no one else!!!

good luck! mine lightly came back when she was ten months-i say lightly because it was one day of spotting, but it certainly was af! I feed Alexa only 2-3 times a day, so that has likely been the reason why, so hopefully AF will come back soon for you-probably will in no time though!

 

[Alexas Mommy]

WEll done hun. As of tomorrow morning I will have been nursing for 12 months as well!


Here ya go:
https://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m220/benandgeorgialee/Breastfeeding%20Milestone%20Blinkies/12-month-bfing.gif

thanks for the blinkie

 

[Pyrrhic]

Congrats!

Is there any chance she could be jealous?

 

[Alexas Mommy]

Congrats!

Is there any chance she could be jealous?

maybe not jealous...but possibly feels guilty? but then again, she was proud of the first year-I think that it's ignorance to be honest-if you have not breastfed a toddler, or never intended to, it may seem weird, and wrong to you-ignorance...i used to think that way-a long time ago, but I have come such a long way since then

 

[ryder]

See my MIL never bf her children either, she bottlefed them both from the beginning... And SIL did bf them both... In the beginning my MIL was one of the people who pushed bfing on me, as well as SIL... but now she is always making comments about bf babies and how her granddaughters had really poor weight gain, lack of sleeping etc etc... So... I dunno... I think MILs are just nuts if you know what I mean haha... First mine pushed it, now she badmouths it?

 

[Alexas Mommy]

See my MIL never bf her children either, she bottlefed them both from the beginning... And SIL did bf them both... In the beginning my MIL was one of the people who pushed bfing on me, as well as SIL... but now she is always making comments about bf babies and how her granddaughters had really poor weight gain, lack of sleeping etc etc... So... I dunno... I think MILs are just nuts if you know what I mean haha... First mine pushed it, now she badmouths it?

haha yeah, MIL's just get this crazy hormone as soon as their sons decide to settle down it seems I don't like to get into it with my MIL much anymore, because she is my boss as well, and I don't want to make the office uncomfortable for either of us, so I just settled it by saying I respected that she had an opinion, however, Alexa is my child, and this is what we think is best for her!

I will admit, Alexa did take a long time to sleep through the night, she certainly did not have poor weight gain though-she had no problem with that, as we can all see there are pros and cons for sure!

 

[Mervs Mum]

umm to be fair, formula does change, at least here we have several different ones for different ages...

I know you can get different stage formulas but to be fair BM changes DURING the feed too.


You have definately come along way Kari and you are another one on my list of BF heroines.

 

[massacubano]

I think it is excellent you are still BFing... Sorry MIL does not seem educated in this area. I am sure you know what is best (ear plugs!)

 

[massacubano]

Congrats!

Is there any chance she could be jealous?

I was going to say.... maybe.. she looks so darn great PP...