BF For MY benefit?

sunfan30

So at DS's 12 month appt today the doc said that I was BF for my benefit, because for every year you BF it reduces your chances of breast cancer. His wife BF for 6 years. Now, I'm thinking 2 at the max, but I'm doing it for DS not me!!! Why would he say this? left me annoyed!

July_2009

May be he is just trying to encourage women to BF and also to show that there are benefits in it for the mother too?

bim38106

because it's true? :::shrugs::: He didn't say it was only for your benefit did he? If so then I understand being annoyed. Otherwise, I don't see the big deal.

macchiatto

July_2009:

May be he is just trying to encourage women to BF and also to show that there are benefits in it for the mother too?

Yeah, I wouldn't be annoyed by that unless he was saying that it's NOT benefiting your LO any more. It's true though; there are benefits for both mom and baby.

sunfan30

Maybe I took it the wrong way, because before that he asked if he's on whole milk, and I said no I'm still BF. That's when he said it. But I realize I'm totally emotional today, and could just be crabby. .... Thanks Ladies.

ljlkm

Also for your benefit--weight loss! I'm down 19 pounds, thanks to DS. That kid got me into this mess; he's getting me out of it! He may have to BF until he's 18. Mama needs cookies!

m0132

I think its great if he is trying to encourage more moms to BF, but did he mention anything about your DS needing to have some whole milk for some reason or was he ok with you still EBF?  I gave DD milk at 12 months and it actually helped her growth a lot (she was very behind before) but I probablt would have nursed past 13 months if she were bigger and I wasn't pg again. You have to do what you are comfortable with, extended BF is a matter of opinion I think, some doctors support it and others don't but there are no ill effects of EBF so that is all up to you.

peachypear

Maybe the way he said it was weird, but don't let it bother you. It's okay for BFing to be good for you, too! Plus, it's true that you'll have a reduced risk of breast cancer, so you can't get upset that he told you that. (Also, the risk is lowered for cummulative BFing years... it doesn't have to all be in a row or with one child).

Frankly, I'm going to miss the extra calorie expenditure... I'm loving that perk.