Wow! My Dad?!?

[snowbunny]

I was talking to my dad today, and he asked me the dreaded question, "So, when are you going to stop BFing?"

Knowing that while CO was trying to pass NIP Rights Laws, he would come home complaining about all the lactivists nursing their babies "in plain sight" : at the courthouse, capitol etc, I really did not want to get into it with him.

When I told him that I am going to nurse for at least the 2 yrs recommended by the WHO, CSP etc and will most likely do CLW. He asked when human children self-wean, and I explained a bit of Katheryn Dewyttler's research.

I was shocked to hear him reply, "Well, it might be hard for you and Solas in our Society, but since you'd be doing what's best and natural, I support you all the way."

WOW! I couldn't believe it. He is the only family member aside from DH who has supported nursing beyond 12 months as most family members only support nursing for a max of 6 months

[dantesmama]

Wow, that's great! Nobody in my family has brought up this issue yet, and I'd like it to stay that way for a while! While no one is actually against breastfeeding, no one has done it for longer than a few months, let alone years . . . I hope I get the same supportive reaction!

[fek&fuzz]

My 18 mo niece is still nursing, and often does yoga while nursing. One day after we got back from the beach, my sister went to nurse her and my niece pulled away, due to some sand in her mouth.

My dad said, I wonder if that is what toddlers talk about when they get together- "Don't you hate the sandy boob?"

[AutumnMama]

That's so cool, go Dad!

[Tine]

Aw. Yay, Dad!

My dad has been a surprisingly supportive person regarding BF, too. Among other things: Recently Maria was baptized. Right before mass started, she was getting hungry. My sister (the godmother) asked if I was going to feed her in the bathroom (yeah right), and I said "No, in our pew" (which was right in front, and our church is arranged in the round -- so in other words, in plain view of everyone). She was scandalized. I ignored her. Moments later, while I was nursing Maria, my dad sneaked up and took a photo of us. Obviously he thought it was a very special moment.

Yay Dad!

[jee'smom]

Originally Posted by fek&fuzz

My 18 mo niece is still nursing, and often does yoga while nursing. One day after we got back from the beach, my sister went to nurse her and my niece pulled away, due to some sand in her mouth.

My dad said, I wonder if that is what toddlers talk about when they get together- "Don't you hate the sandy boob?"

[REDBREAST]

Snowbunny, your dad sounds like my mom! When I had my first, she woul dalways ask when I was going to wean and I too told her about CLW.

It wasn't until I had number two that she started to feel proud that I was doing CLW and now she tells anyone she can how long I have BF my kids! She even asks other mamas if they are going to nurse, etc. this coming from my mom who formula-fed all five of her kids and put down breast-feeding everytime she could is now an advocate!!!

[dynamohumm6]

My dad called me when my ds was around 6 months old to "remind me" that WHO recommended nursing til age 2.

[ollineeba]

Yay for your Dad!
That's awesome..
My family has been very supportive.
Come to think of it, dd is 19 months now and still nursing pretty frequently.. and I haven't had one negative comment from anyone
Maybe they all know to keep it to themselves

[Arwyn]

Dads in my experience (only my experience, I know) are usually more supportive, on average, than moms are. My SIL thinks nursing past one year is "psychologically damaging" (but that nursing for "only" six weeks before going back to work, like one of her friends, is just horrible - judgmental much?), and my mom quietly says "well, maybe nursing her baby will mellow her out" and my dad starts ranting "Oh geez! Can we educate her?? I can't believe she says that!" etc etc. It's really funny.

(My bro is also more pro-breastfeeding than SIL, and was pro-natural childbirth, but SIL wanted an epidural and to supplement and to wean at one year, and what SIL wants, SIL gets. I'm all for women power, but geez... )

My DP too will get annoyed at watching moms mix formula and stick the bottle in their baby's mouth, who's lying in the bucket. Me: "Well, maybe she had a reduction, or adopted, or isn't comfortable NIPing." Him: "She should effing pick the kid up! Or the dad should! There are three adults at that table - someone hold the damn baby! Does no one over there have functioning breasts??"

[Sustainer]

I hate to focus on the negative part of your great story, but I can't resist mentioning that whenever I hear about men complaining about women breastfeeding "in plain view," it *really* makes me want to do it *more,* you know?