Well, I'm the wierd crazy breastfeeding lady!

[MarcyC]

I finally got it...

The "LOOK"

You know the "look" I'm talking about...the one where you tell someone you're still nursing your *gasp* 16 month old and you get the "look".

And it's not a "sweet" look either. Is it surprise? Shock? Disapproval?

So...we were at a baseball game with some friends of ours. They have two kids. We left the baby with my mom. I happened to mention around 9:00ish that we would need to leave before the end of the game. Mom had to work the next morning and couldn't stay up too late and I would like to feed Megan before she went out for the night.

I got a funny "look." (questioning, maybe). (from the mom)

I said, "I'm still nursing."

She said, "oh, I remember those days...when it's time to feed the baby you need the baby to wake up and eat or else you get engorged and it hurts."

I said, "yes, somewhat, although she's 16 months and she eats a fair amount of solids so I don't get engorged really."

She said, her kids *weaned themselves* at 6 months and 8 months. Okay...whatever.

Then I told her not Megan...she's still nursing at least 3 times a day...sometimes more and if I'm wearning a loose fitting shirt and she really wants to nurse, she'll pull my shirt out and stick her head up my shirt.

Then I got it.... the "LOOK"!

Yep...I'm the crazy extended nursing lady.

Oh, I also got the "look" when were talking about sleeping arrangements. She mentioned that they were going on vacation to a cabin and asked if we had any kid-sized sleeping bags they could borrow. I said, no our children don't sleep well on vacation. They don't sleep good away from their rooms so whenever we're on vacation we all co-sleep. Geesh - I am crazy!!!

[Momtwice]

You have such lucky kids.

[mika85]

I hope to be as weird and as crazy as you, then!

[Mama Poot]

My cousin's little boy is 16 months old, and I saw him at the family reunion. He's still a BABY, geez... She isn't nursing him, but I just find it refreshing to see older babies because it solidifies that that's just what they are. I almost wish the word "toddler" would disappear because I think people hear the word and immediately create unrealistic expectations for young children "They're too old to nurse", "They're a big boy/girl now", you know them all...

[chelsmm]

My mil was watching the news a few weeks ago when they were covering the VS nurse in. She said, and I do quote "it's THOSE breastfeeding mothers again". THOSE was stressed, and "breast" was said as if it was the plague. I looked at her oddly and said "I guess I'm one of THOSE mamas too!"

Honestly. And she's a clinical instructor for nursing students doing their pedi rotations....:

[jarynsmom06]

My sisters second daughter self weaned at 8 months of age...so it is possible and no it wasn't a nursing strike, however good for you fo nursing that long, I hope I am able to.

[Apwannabe]

My third started to wean at about 9 months but I made sure he nursed till he was 1. There was no way I was giving him formula. We made it to 13 months but I really had to firce him to nurse he would have been happy with just solids.

[blsilva]

Yeah, I'm real familiar with that feeling. It seems that everywhere I go, I am weird in some way, so I now introduce myself that way. "Hello, I'm Brandi-the weird one".

[muppet729]

I think what shocks the people that have known me for a long time is that I "used to be normal" so to speak. Although I realize that my views on things are more and more away from the norm, if you saw me walking down the street, you might not know it I guess that makes me a "closet wierdo" I'm open with the way DH and I parent if people ask and I think that my confidence (like OP obviously portrays) makes those who have never really thought of EBF or co-sleeping or whatever stop and think.

My DD is 32 mo and still nuring- mostly to sleep and at stressful times.... and now I"ve gone and gotten myself pregnant again- what's WRONG with me!? And when will DD wean!!! I tell you, I keep racking up the offenses

[Jadzia]

Originally Posted by jarynsmom06

My sisters second daughter self weaned at 8 months of age...so it is possible and no it wasn't a nursing strike, however good for you fo nursing that long, I hope I am able to.

Did the baby go to the store and buy her own formula?

I don't understand how a baby can "self-wean" unless they have first been given something to replace the nursing. Do they just stop drinking liquids?

[wannabe]

Hurrah!!!!

I am, as always, amazed by how hard you worked to get here, crazy-extended-breastfeeding-lady.

[wannabe]

Originally Posted by chelsmm

Honestly. And she's a clinical instructor for nursing students doing their pedi rotations....:

You should have seen the links to kellymom and the WHO flying when I told my med student friend that there was no need to wean at one year old, and good reasons not to.

Now I have to send her my copy of the thinking woman's guide to childbirth before she does her OB/GYn rotation.

[firstkid4me]

Originally Posted by muppet729

I think what shocks the people that have known me for a long time is that I "used to be normal" so to speak. Although I realize that my views on things are more and more away from the norm, if you saw me walking down the street, you might not know it I guess that makes me a "closet wierdo" I'm open with the way DH and I parent if people ask and I think that my confidence (like OP obviously portrays) makes those who have never really thought of EBF or co-sleeping or whatever stop and think.

My DD is 32 mo and still nuring- mostly to sleep and at stressful times.... and now I"ve gone and gotten myself pregnant again- what's WRONG with me!? And when will DD wean!!! I tell you, I keep racking up the offenses

Soon you'll be one of those crazy tandem breastfeeders!

[Apwannabe]

Did the baby go to the store and buy her own formula?

I don't understand how a baby can "self-wean" unless they have first been given something to replace the nursing. Do they just stop drinking liquids?

Exactly!! There was no wayI was going to feed my boy formula when the boobs were working just fine. It was tough though. he really had zero intrest in nursing and I could only get him to nurse for like 5 minutes or less amybe three times a day. I only let him drink water but I wasn't going to deny him that to make him nurse more, kwim? I honestly think that he weaned early because I fillowed the Super Baby Food diet which I realize now is way more than a nursing child needs to eat at 2 nevermind at teh ages they reccommend.

[SimonsMamma]

LOL, wow so, is 3 years considered extended or just flat insane ??? LOL.. my ds who is nearly 3 asked me the other day (he hasn't really nursed in over a year) and I said, sure, why not.. of course, it was just a second or two and he giggle the entire time.. but, hey, it counts...

boy was he fun to hold!!

[Aliviasmom]

Good for you! It's very uncommon around here, so I'm still quite timid when telling people I still bf my 20 month old.