First of all you really do live up to your name. You obviously weren’t breastfed yourself or you would have a higher IQ and be able to recognize and correct all of your misspelled words and grammar errors, even if only by using spell check. Thats the little “abc” icon on your toolbar. Its ashamed to see how blatantly misinformed you are. It’s sad that there are people like you who make mothers feel like they are doing something wrong by BFing past 6 weeks old. My daughter is almost 2 and I BF her in the morning, when I get home from work and right before bed. She eats plenty of other foods to include fruits and veggies and even whole milk. Her pallet is extremely varied, something else I contribute to BFing. I think she considers my milk more as a treat. It’s not the only thing I nourish her with. Although no other food I give her can give her as much as my milk does, which is tailored specifically for her and her needs. I plan to BF as long as she wants. You have no right to call BF moms selfish. It’s probably the most unselfish thing I do. It does add some inconvenience to my life and makes little day-to-day decisions difficult (attire, missing out on social breaks at work so I can pump, extra time it takes to BF when I don’t have to at all, worry about what kinds of medicine I can take that wont hurt her…). The only reason I continue to BF is for her and her health and happiness. She gets the occasional cold, but they are very mild and has never had any other sicknesses. I’ll admit my mom watches her while I’m at work so she isn’t exposed to germs at a daycare but still gets exposed to germs when we go to playgrounds, church functions, store and other places. The research is there, we are not making up these facts about how beneficial it is not only for the baby/toddler and mother but for society as well. It is a beautiful MIRACULOUS thing, something you will obviously never get to experience or understand. You sound like the kind of mom who spanks her kids if they are getting rowdy in public. It’s a shame you cant calm them down with the love mothers’ milk can provide. Something you are unable to comprehend. I cant imagine my words reforming you or you ever choosing to support us but you could at least keep your uninformed, ignorant, uncouth, judgmental mouth shut!!

Breastfeeding is not for everyone, but to the author Weird I really don’t think you can compare breatfeeding with eating candy. Sounds like you are a working mom who probably didn’t breastfeed past 1 year and are now trying to comfort yourself in your parenting skills by lashing out on other moms who you feel threatened by.

Debbi – your post underlines just how long we still have to go, but we WILL get there! The treatment you received from your employer was disgraceful, and I’m so sad for the negative repercussions. But how lucky your daughter is to have you as a mother! Well done! Just want to say: now that your daughter is 3 there is no reason why continuing to nurse precludes returning to work. Children of this age easily adjust and a feed before you leave for work will see her through until you return. Having said that, I completely agree that everyone should do what is most comfortable for them. I’m sure you will wean your (probably reluctant) daughter gently, gradually, with much love and kindness.

I was let go from my job because I breastfed my child past 12 months and was unable to perform my duties at my job. I was a police officer (over 10 year veteran) and was told I had to qualify at the shooting range and go back to work by the time my child was 12 months old. They figured since she could “medically” drink cows milk by then I should just give her that. I am leaving out a lot of info here because it is just too much but basically I was fired and not given a light duty position as other male officers were given for extended periods of time because I chose to breastfeed past what is considered “normal”. Not illegal for those of you fuming by now and yes I filed a complaint with the Oregon bureau of labor and yes I contacted an attorney. BOLI said it wasn’t right what my department did but it wasn’t illegal. Point is, you should be allowed to do what is healthy for your child and have the CHOICE to do so and keep your job. My now 3 year old still nurses. I am ready for her to be done, she is not. Could I expect my employer to give me special duty for 3 or 4 years so I can nurse- no I can’t but I can tell you that had I been given light duty, (instead of 9 months leave with out pay) just the distance and time lapse of nursing vs. bottles (my daugher NEVER would accept a bottle- I tried to pump trust me!) would have depleted my milk supply and eventually we would have weaned “naturally”. Now I run my own business (certainly do not make money like I used to) but I am able to bring her to work with me. I can see the health benefits and security it provides for her and she is so determined to keep nursing that when nap or bedtime come, Daddy gets that pleasure. I “juice her up” as we say and he puts her to bed. What a wonderful bond we have and share as a family and that isn’t something you can buy!! She is 3 now and I am ready to be done but I know that I will miss it as I miss her being a baby. I don’t miss a step with her now and am happy about my decision because everyday that passes is a day gone. We lost our home due to the loss of income and will suffer in our retirement years if I don’t go back soon but again- I do not apologize for my choice and think all mom’s out there should do what is comfortable for them and their family!!

Babies and children are meant to breastfeed and we should allow them to do so as long as it works for that family (period).

Well, almost, this round. She’s turning 1 really soon and nowhere near ready to wean.

I’m much a fan of child-led weaning. My two older kids both chose to wean around 18 months. I don’t doubt I could have encouraged it longer if I wanted, but I was satisfied that they were ready. We’ll see when this one chooses to wean.

I have to agree with Ann about the psychologist’s comment. What nonsense! If you’re going to make a claim about how a child develops, have some evidence.

In my own experience, breastfeeding a toddler is a great way to soothe him or her and it doesn’t keep them from learning to self soothe. Breastfeeding is simply one method of soothing.