Hi Ladies - I just want to start this thread by saying I do not want to insult anyone or start a fight. I just wanted a supportive place for people who only want to breastfeed short term and advice and support from mommies who did only breastfeed short term.

I know that they say breast milk is best and I also know that there is A LOT of peer pressure on this board for long term breastfeeding. I am not too sure how it goes in the UK but here in the states, it is pretty rare to be breastfeeding long term.

For me personally, I find the thought of breastfeeding off the boob after 6 months or so odd. FOR ME, once my child can really move around and crawl and is aware of their surroundings, that is when I am no longer comfortable breastfeeding. I may still pump and do bottles but I am just not sure about that. My whole theory is that I was raised on soy formula due to a milk allergy and I am fine. :P

Anyway, sometimes because of the way I feel about it, I feel scared to speak my mind because I feel like I am the only one not planning 12+ months of breastfeeding. I also feel like if I do say something it will start an argument which is the last thing any of us need, right?

So, somebody please tell me that I am not the only one that feels this way. LOL

Thanks.

I only breastfed for 2 months. For a number of reasons really. I felt emotionally and physically drained being the sole source of food. I didnt really have a time that I wanted to do it I just took one day at a time but hit a wall at 2 months.

I would b interested on this thread....

I originally said that i would give up when i go back to uni (holly will b 7 months) but evertime i have said that i have been told i dont need to give up...

Since weaning i'm not down too 3/4 feeds a day so i looks like i may stop soon or go on to follow on milk at 6 months... I do love breastfeeding but i'm not sure long term breastfeeding is right for me??

I didnt plan to breast feed for a specific length of time - I hoped to get to 6 months but I never actually thought I would. I commited to about 8 weeks initially and then just kind of went a bit further and a bit further.

I dont however think its 'odd' to BF past 6 months. I think that's a cultural thing. Before formula was invented a little over 100 years ago, women had no choice other than to BF (or use a wet nurse) past 6 months - that's been the case for the hundreds of thousands of years that humans were around pre-formula. Obviously everyone has their own comfort zone with things though and what one person thinks is odd, another would think is perfectly natural or normal - that goes for all sorts of life choices!!

The advice I would give to someone wanting to BF for 2 weeks would be the same as that for a mummy wanting to BF for 6 months or 3 years. It's not really about how long you want to BF for - it's about where you and your LO are in your own BFing journey.

I dont think you are alone hun. I'd say there are more people who plan less than 12 months of BFing - I know I did but just because I couldnt imagine me managing to stick at it so long - nothing to do with it being odd.

Thanks, Lisa!

I never meant to say or imply people were weird who did breastfeed past 6 months or so. Just FOR ME, it is our of my comfort zone and I totally agree that it is a cultural thing.

Thanks for the advice. For me it is actually cool to know that you didn't mean to go long term but did it because it is right for you. That is good to know.

i don't think i will be available to breastfeed due to owning my own business i need to go back to work probably with in 20 days or so of having the baby...i was thinking should i breastfeed for couples of weeks and then try to pump? but genki you saw the shop and how tiny it is ! how could i pump ...i think i will try to give it try still..try pumping and freezing the milk that could be a solution...

Miel - Yeah... you would be stuck in that tiny little closet bathroom trying to pump. That would be so hard. Maybe bump at home at night and do like half formula bottles and half breast milk but in the end, I think we all just have to do what is right for us and if formula works for you and Daniel then I am sure you LO will be a-ok with that.

Anytime honey.

My sister didnt want to BF period. She did once in the hospital and then she went with her plan to FF. I dont mind or expect people to have the same feelings about how natural I find BFing - at the end of the day what's natural for one person doesnt HAVE to be for the everyone - not even your siblings!

We are all as individual as our LOs are/will be. I think the best thing is to just suck it and see.....OMG....that's such a baaaaaad pun there.....

x

Miel you can mix it up to suit you. I think lots of people are under the impression that it has to be all or nothing but that's just not the case. If you wanted to you could BF just in the morning and night and use formula during the day. You just need to find what works for your particular circumstances.

oh i did not know we could mix!!!