Why is breastfeeding up to 12 months frowned upon?

[thelilbump]

Why do people complain about 'extended' breastfeeding. Now i use the term 'extended' loosely as i'm referring to children under the age of 12 months. You wouldn't stop formula feeding a baby at 6 months so why would you stop breastfeeding? It's not recommended to give cows milk as a drink until 12 months so (in my mind at least) it makes sense to carry on until a year old if it's working for you all (mother, father and child). Half the reason I breastfeed is because i don't want my baby to have formula. I just can't see why breastfeeding over 4 months -under 12 months is frowned upon or is this just me?

Now i don't want to start an arguement, i'm not out to offend anyone. If you reply to this thread please choose your words carefully as not to intentionally start arguements. Debate is good but please, not argueing. Thankyou.

 

[Mervs Mum]

I think you've summed it up well. Formula companies obviously feel that there is an advantage to feeding a fortified milk to babies up to 12 months old rather than plain doorstep cows milk. I dont see the difference



edit - to to clarify...I mean I dont see the difference between BFing to 12 months and using a proper fortified formula milk to 12 months rather than regular 'doorstep' cows milk.

 

[missjacey44]

I see what your saying and just so you know, ladies who do breastfeed for that long, i think your great!!

 

[leeanne]

I am not sure but I think many things are frowned upon the first year. When to stop breastfeeding, when to wean, etc. etc.

You do what's best for your child hon!

 

[Csunshine013]

I totally agree that breastmilk should be viewed the same as formula. I personally chose to do this until my DD was 13mnths old. I did this for selfish reasons though. 1. The cost of formula was totally expensive and second that was our time.

People can make their own choice, but don't put it on others.

 

[mari72]

I think alot of the problem with peoples opinions on extended bf (and indeed bf) is that they perceive breast as sexual objects and while they can just about tolerate a helpless little baby feeding from a breast they get uncomfortable when that baby is bigger and walking etc. Its a sad state of affairs that as a society we've forgotten the real reason for breasts is to nurture our children not to titilate the opposite sex.

 

[thelilbump]

very true mari!

 

[happy&healthy]

Where I live its always recommended and known that if you breastfeed, you should try and do it for 12 months.

 

[mommyof3co]

I don't understand it either, why would I wean my baby from the breast and put them on something that isn't as good...formula. Even when they get to 12mo, same thing, why would I wean them from something made perfect for them to something that doesn't provide the same benefits, cows milk? It makes no sense to me. The average age around the world is 4yrs old that they wean, the WHO recommends 2yrs....there are reasons to breastfeed a toddler and certainly a child 4-12mo.

 

[vicwick]

This is something that baffles me, i just don't understand why if you're already breastfeeding why you wouldn't just carry on giving your baby breastmilk rather than using formula but i really don't wanna give Alfie formula tho so i'm biased i suppose and i had so much trouble getting started with BF if i gave up at 6 months i wouldn't get the chance to fully enjoy it as its still painful on my right booby!!!! I will be feeding Alfie til he's 2 as recommended by WHO, well if he doesn't self wean that is, fingers crossed!!! I just don't know why its frowned upon, its awful to think about the look i'll start gettin if he wanted feeding while we're out, i already get the "Are you STILL breastfeeding him?" comments and he's only 5 months

 

[freckleonear]

I don't understand it either, why would I wean my baby from the breast and put them on something that isn't as good...formula. Even when they get to 12mo, same thing, why would I wean them from something made perfect for them to something that doesn't provide the same benefits, cows milk? It makes no sense to me. The average age around the world is 4yrs old that they wean, the WHO recommends 2yrs....there are reasons to breastfeed a toddler and certainly a child 4-12mo.

My opinion exactly.

 

[thelilbump]

I am so glad it's not just me then!

 

[Dragonfly]

I have had people say to me I have breast feed long enough?? why do they say that? I want to continue and when I get to 6 months I may still go on but I intend to use a breast pump when he is 6 months when he is weaned to food anyway. I dont want my kid getting the formula maybe till he is a year old. I bet some will have a problem with me saying that also if they are saying I have done it long enough and he is only 3 months old nearly.

 

[thelilbump]

as if they're saying that at less than 3 months old!