In feedback on one of my assignments:
We know from the infant feeding survey that you were already “statistically insignificant” in breastfeeding Bernard when you started training [when he was 8 months old] and the numbers of peers will have shrunk considerably now he is over 2 years old.
What a nice way to be labelled a freak. Meanwhile, Alice announces that she plans to feed young Norris, now 9 months, for as long as he wants. But that she will not be a toddler-feeding weirdo like me, because I am strange. She goes on to point out that when we encountered toddler-feeding weirdos at a La Leche League meeting back in the early days, I was as alarmed as she was by the whole idea.
How things change. But in defence of my u-turn, I know a lot now that I did not know then, and I could not in good conscience do this any other way. Also, the alarming woman whose toddler was on and off her knee for slurps throughout the morning was at a LLL meeting, and if he can’t help himself there, what is the world of extended breastfeeding coming to?
In a very non-baby-led way, we now only feed at bedtime and the crack of dawn (or somewhat before). He lost interest in daytime feeds a long long time ago, but I actively discouraged the nights at the point when I could no longer stand getting up every couple of hours. Now that he has taken up permanent residence in my bed, I’m not sure much has improved in terms of sleep, but I keep telling myself that a need that is fulfilled goes away.
Hi Karen,
Just wanted to say that I have been reading through your archives for the last hour or so, and really enjoying them. Having encountered sensible advice from you on the AP forum over on iVillage, I wondered how you’d found things when Bernard was the age my daughter is now (just coming up to five months); it’s very familiar territory, especially when you wrote that you read everything available and still doubted your own instincts and reactions. I’m hoping to learn to have a little more faith in myself, having read that. So, thank you.