I must confess…
I used to think breastfeeding beyond 12 months was kinda weird. I thought it was something only hippy, crunchy mums did. I didn’t have any clue why you’d do that. I mean, why breastfeed a kid that can ask for it?
Now that I think back, I never stopped feeding any of our other kids because they asked for food. So what’s the difference?
My youngest daughter is almost 2. I don’t feel any need to wean her. The fact that she asks for milk doesn’t seem like a reason to stop giving it to her anymore. I don’t even know why it ever did.
So i guess my confession is…I’m one of those mums!
We use cloth nappies- it’s cheaper and greener and…well…cuter! My daughter often co-sleeps. She is frequently carried in a sling. She’s never been left to cry.
I’ve done my research. I know now that breastfeeding through toddlerhood is very normal in many cultures. I know it is healthy for both of us. So I’ll keep at it.
We all parent in the way that works for us. I will say, my parenting style has evolved- my eldest child was formula fed when breastfeeding didn’t work out, she slept in her own bed and I did try controlled crying (for, like, 15 minutes total) but even my parenting style with her has changed over the years. I don’t think I was ever an awful parent- but I was a young one who had to muddle through it, often without support. To quote an extremely wise lady:
So far, our World Breastfeeding Week blog carnival is doing great! Link your story here and enter to win a Calin Bleu wrap!
Read about the Lighter Side of Breastfeeding here and enter to win a Breastfeeding Photoshoot!
Read about Alex’s journey here and enter to win a Spectra Breastpump!
Read about breastfeeding and IVF here and enter to win an upcycled Rethread the Earth Nappy bag!
Read about Marissa’s experience using her village for support here
Linked with Button Brain for I must confess…