May I vent?

[newbymom05]

Ugh, I just have to vent! Why is it that every time I talk to my father or stepmother, they ask if I'm still nursing? Let's see, DS is a little over 4 mo's old...why no, we're not b'feeding anymore, I was just fixing him a ham sandwich when you called! I don't even understand why they care and I have to say it's almost like a prurient interest, as in "You're still feeding that baby with your BREASTS???" And it doesn't stop w/ my mainstream family. Why does *everyone* want to know how long I'll b'feed? Is it anyone's business??? I usually tell them "Oh, certainly before he graduates high school but we'll have to wait and see" but I'd really rather just say what's it to you?! Then of course they have to tell me why they couldn't/wouldn't b'feed. Umm, excuse me, did I ask? No, because I don't care!!!

Ahhh, thanks for listening.

[nannymom]

Anne Landers used to give this advice to answer nosey questions: look the asker in the eye and say how that information benifit you?
It would take a lot of nerve but it points out how rude the question is.

[alegna]

I just made it (loud) public knowledge early on that we planned to nurse until AT LEAST 2 years old. If anyone "forgets" and asks I remind them

-Angela

[Soxfan Mom]

I like your "Actually, I was just fixing him a ham sandwich" answer. Sarcastic, hilarious and gets your point across.

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by newbymom05

...they ask if I'm still nursing? Let's see, DS is a little over 4 mo's old...why no, we're not b'feeding anymore, I was just fixing him a ham sandwich when you called!

: : :

[paquerette]

"Nah, I've got her totally weaned to pizza and beer now." :LOL

[westernmamomma]

Originally Posted by paquerette

"Nah, I've got her totally weaned to pizza and beer now." :LOL

Now that one's a classic!

[Blue Dragonfly]

Are you in my family??? When ds was born, my dad said - 10 days and he can start pablum. My s-mom bugged me about introducing food to the point I started to cry. (The drama cumulated when ds was 5 mo.) When my ds got an ear infection, my dad said, well, switch him to goats milk, that will fix him right up.

I am stunned at how bone-headed they are!! They are actually really crunchy people (the goat comment was because they bought a goat to feed my brother, rather than cows milk.) They just have no experience or education about bfing, and everytime I try to educate them, the response is - you read too much. Aarrrggg.

I really think it does come down to their inability to see breasts as anything but sexual.

I feel your pain newby mama

[bri276]

yeah I know.

I've gotten, "So how long do you *have* to give her breastmilk for?" and "You don't feel the need to give her anything else?" from Dad and aunt. (luckily both comments were based purely on ignorance, no anti-bf sentiment involved as far as I can tell.) And Dad keeps asking when she can have solids.

I think they just want to be able to feed her! too bad!

[Jade2561]

:LOL I feel your pain; but just hold on - it's gonna be a long ride. My family asks me ALL THE TIME if dd is eating solid foods yet and shes 16 months old!!!! People are goofs - just roll your eyes and smile!

[newbymom05]

How weird is it that I've heard all those comments and you've heard the ones that get thrown at me? Is there some kind of Similac-sponsored school they're all going to???

I must say brava to anyone who has the nerve to say they'll be b'feeding at least 2 years. I've shortened my "at least a year" to "at least 6 mo.'s" because I was sick of getting all the wide eyes. ONE YEAR? Gosh! I don't have the strength to admit 2 yrs at this point.

And what is the big deal w/ giving someone else's baby solids? My mom is obsessed w/ it! What is the freaking rush? Isn't having a daughter (me) who eats ALL THE TIME enough???

I'm going to start using the pizza and beer answer. Ummmm, pizza and beer...

[AuntNi]

Originally Posted by newbymom05

I must say brava to anyone who has the nerve to say they'll be b'feeding at least 2 years. I've shortened my "at least a year" to "at least 6 mo.'s" because I was sick of getting all the wide eyes. ONE YEAR? Gosh! I don't have the strength to admit 2 yrs at this point.

Well, I sorta did this, but I was a weenie about it. When my in-laws would ask how long I was planning to nurse DD, I always replied, "Well, doctors nowadays recommend nursing at least two years," which they totally respected. I neglected to mention that it's certainly not all, or even most, doctors. :LOL But hey, if "doctors" say it, it must be right!

Best,

[nannymom]

Originally Posted by AuntNi

Well, I sorta did this, but I was a weenie about it. When my in-laws would ask how long I was planning to nurse DD, I always replied, "Well, doctors nowadays recommend nursing at least two years," which they totally respected. I neglected to mention that it's certainly not all, or even most, doctors. :LOL But hey, if "doctors" say it, it must be right!

Best,

I use the Dr. says for anything i want my MIL to leave me alone about. It works like a charm.

[Moon Faerie]

You know, every time I talk to one of my close friends, she asks me if I'm still nursing. She isn't trying to imply I should be giving L formula though. She's super supportive to my decision to bf. (In fact, she would be the exact person I would want with me if someone ever said something negative about me NIP.) It's more of just a general conversation question. Plus, I'm the first person she's really known that bf (or cloth diapered or had ncb, used a sling, etc.).

[annekevdbroek]

OMG - sounds like my in-laws. We had early nursing problems when my son was about 1-2 weeks old and they kept asking why we didn't "just give him a bottle." They say they support BF but they really are so uninformed, if well intentioned. They asked about weaning and my early answers were "Two years." Now that my son is 2+ years I just change the subject when they ask. I don't want to discuss it with them as it is none of their business. My son is happy, I'm happy, and Daddy is happy - thats enough.

There is no obligation to inform people about your decision to nurse, how long you'll go it, or to sell them on the idea, benefits, etc. You can just BF and let that be that.

[westernmamomma]

Originally Posted by annekevdbroek

There is no obligation to inform people about your decision to nurse, how long you'll go it, or to sell them on the idea, benefits, etc. You can just BF and let that be that.

I wish it were that simple with my family!

[stockingup99]

Here's my response, I use it often.

Oh, we've been weaning for 6 months now. He needs to finish weaning before going off to college.

I love the everyone has been educated by Similac comment. Of course they have, every pamplet at the OB is sponsored. Every baby ad has bottles.

My oldest is seven. She was BF'd, her sister was bf'd, and now her baby brother is one. She saw the baby with a bottle (soymilk) and said she liked seeing it. I asked why, she said all the babies have bottles, except Nick. She sees them on TV that way. She sees me nursing all the time, yet still sees bottles as the norm.

[terrabella]

Originally Posted by stockingup99

My oldest is seven. She was BF'd, her sister was bf'd, and now her baby brother is one. She saw the baby with a bottle (soymilk) and said she liked seeing it. I asked why, she said all the babies have bottles, except Nick. She sees them on TV that way. She sees me nursing all the time, yet still sees bottles as the norm.

: Ok, um, am I the only militant breastfeeding mum who thinks bottles are freakin' adorable? No, really, I'm totally serious here. I really think baby bottles scream "baby" in an adorable way. "traditional gerbers" and "old playtex" are my favorites. What's wrong with me?! :