With one thing or another, the subject of breastfeeding has been popping up in various sections of the media of late. Whether it is so called ' debates ' on twitter or new research written up in newspapers, there is always somebody with something to say about breastfeeding; good and bad. There are a lot of people that simply acknowledge that some women breastfeed and some women don't, for whatever reasons that are personal to them. It is frustrating, however, that some mums have to defend themselves as to why they do not breastfeed and equally for breastfeeding mums to be made out to be ' militant ' or judgemental simply because formula was never an option for them. For me, the fact that breastfeeding is being talked about is a good thing. I do not believe that breastfeeding is for everybody but there is definitely work that can be done on educating those who may be considering breastfeeding
Breastfeeding was something that I honestly did not think twice about, I always thought it was the most natural option. The thought of giving my baby processed food that sits on supermarket shelves for months is something that I could not consider unless I absolutely had to. I realise that I am very lucky in having a smooth breastfeeding journey, with few problems 20 months down the line. Yes, 20 months. I have had little experience of judgemental looks or embarrassed faces when feeding in public but I have noticed a few raised eyebrows when I tell people that I am still feeding my daughter. I am a very confident person and close friends and family know not to challenge me too much, but I am aware that they probably think I am a bit crazy for still breastfeeding. I have had the odd "ooh she's too dependent on you " or "she's so clingy " but I just shrug them off as quite frankly the only people that matter are me, my husband and my daughter. Obviously Sofia is still loving the boobies and is showing no signs of stopping soon. There are days when she just feeds in the morning and a night and others when she seems to want me all of the time . My husband worries about her dependence on me, particularly at night time when she is difficult to soothe when I am not around. There are times when she is very clingy and others that she is very independent, which I am sure is the case with the majority of babies. I honestly did not think that I would still be breastfeeding, it is just how things have worked out, a natural progression. There are probably small things that I could do to change things but ultimately Sofia is in command. There are days when I get frustrated with the demands if feeding, especially the fussy nights, but there are so many other days when I just think, this is lovely. We have a happy, confident, intelligent littke girl so we must be doing something right! Sometimes I feel scared that I don't want to rock the boat by hurrying along the weaning; breastfeeding makes life so much easier sometimes. A struggle to go asleep, a cry after a fall, hunger pangs when there is no quick food source, the need for comfort; are all soothed so quickly. So, between the three of us we have our ups and downs but ultimately we are happy and much like the decision to breastfeed was natural I am hoping our breastfeeding journey will come to a natural end.
To read more breastfeeding stories, take a look at my fellow KBBF bloggers
The Kermit Movement
Hex Mum
Smiling Like Sunshine
Sorry About The Mess
Where Roots Flourish
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