breastfeeding after 1yr

Cupcakes339 · November 2014

Hi. My dd just turned one and I'm an EP mom. We started mixing in cow's milk and she's been doing great. What's been bothering me is comments from other recent moms at work. Other people don't think of it twice when they see me with a pump bag in the hall but other recent moms we all know each other since we share the pumping room. They've been saying things like "you still pump?" "Wow, how long are you going to pump?" "Can't she eat solid yet?" And my fav " she doesn't need it any more". I never gave them any grief or my opinions when they want to quit pumping no matter what their LO's age or asked for reason why. It's their decision. There is this really annoying coworked who says "wow, you still pump?" Everytime she sees me with the pump which is multiple times a week for multiple weeks. I am running out of polite things to say to her. I am planning on weaning soon but gradually. But she is starting day care in Jan and I would like to give at least 1 bottle per day until she starts DC for final share of my immune sys. But what does it matter to them what I do?. Why do I have to say anything at all? May be, i don't want to share that she's a late teether and didn't want to start solid until 10mo and does not like formula. Yes she gets water too but she still asks for milk and I don't mind giving it to her. On top of which I am well aware of WHO recommendation so I know I am not alone in this. Sorry, I had to vent. It's just that repeated comments from them are getting to me. I've gone down to just 4 pumps a day (since I EP) so that is usually just 1pump at work but it still solicits comment from these people. I don't know how much longer my supply will last and I hope I can make it to feb 2015 but I'm afraid I will run mad from rage from these comments long before that. It's been a ride this past year and there were some tough times. The one advice I got from here I appreciated the most was dont wuit on your hardest day. I can't believe how much I ended up enjoying nursing and the bonding once we got over initial difficulties. I was definitely sad when she quit nursing and we moved on to EP. But I am so happy that we made it to 1yr and it was the right choice for us. Some mom's get judged for not bfing and some get judged for bfing too long. I just wish that people exercise better judgement and know when it is time to comment and w hen it isn't, just know some boundaries. Thsnk you for reading this rant and thank you a ll wonderful ladies here, your advice and encouragement have been so valuable when I was battling latc hing problems, cracking, clogging, s. upply issue, a n d. E v e r y t hi n g. El s e . T h a n k. Y o u .

opheliainwaders · November 2014

Hang in there!

Also, my favorite response to people like your annoying co-worker is to say, "oh! Why do you ask?" Because then they're the ones on the spot, and they get all flustered because you're all cheerful and polite

Cupcakes339 · November 2014

thanks ladies. @theresat858, oh there are days when i had to suppress some good comebacks

@AnonterDreamer, I hope you wont have to deal with this. Nursing is one thing but pumping is no fun lugging all that in the morning and fighting for nursing room reservations. Still the end is almost near and thankfully DD is turning into a healthy solid eater so I wont have to deal with the unwelcome comments much longer. Hope everyone is having a great end to the holiday weekend ~

Peanutz21 · November 2014

i can't stand unsolicited advice!!!

i think it's best just to ignore with no reply and pretend you didn't hear them. maybe they'll get the hint. i would have to bite my tongue super hard though especially if i was in a bad mood that day.

i think it's fabulous that you are committed to pumping!!!

surpriseaddition · November 2014

Congrats on making it to a year! I know several people asked me why I was still pumping after LO was a year. But, it was a little different for me since I was a teacher. LO turned one 4/30 of this year, and I wanted to keep pumping during the day so I could BF whenever she wanted over the summer. For most, that explanation made sense and they then left me alone. Maybe you could just tell the annoying co-worker what you just told us, that we are entering cold and flu season and you prefer to be able to continue to pass on your antibodies to your baby. If she doesn't agree, who cares, but that will basically answer her question as to how long you'll continue to pump (until the end of cold/flu season) so hopefully that will end her curiosity and continuous asking. I think most women dread pumping and can't wait to be done so they have a hard time relating to why you would keep doing it when it wasn't required. But, if it is working for you and you are happy, that is all you should focus on. Unfortunately, people always feel they know better and judge moms....you just need to do what's best for you and your LO. GL!

Cupcakes339 · December 2014

Thanks everyone. Today's first day back at work after holiday, I hope it will be better, or at least I feel better prepared for what ever that happens

I'll give them an extra dose of cheerfulness!

I just never realized how much people cared about breast feeding (or not breast feeding) until I had DD.

Thanks ladies, 1 yr was definitely a biggie for me. There were some days I thought I was going to stop earlier but I'm so happy that we made it this far and she's been lucky and has not had any flu or fever! I am sure this will all change as soon as we start DC...

Naena · December 2014

I just stop pumping last week for my 15 months old. I didn't hear a lot of negative comments, besides the "wow you are still pumping", but I took it as a positive thing. That they were impressed or maybe jealous they were not able to provide their baby the liquid gold as long as I was. Don't let them get you down and remember you are doing this for your child and not them.

brie_and_almonds · December 2014

I continued pumping at work until my daughter was 16 months old. After she turned a year I got questions like that. At first I would go into my explanation spiel saying "yeah, well I thought she might cut down her nursing over Christmas break, but she kept up more than ever, so we're just playing it by ear." Eventually at the end I would just respond with a terse "yep" if they asked about pumping, and they knew it was not a topic open for discussion. When it's strangers, I'm all for the snark, but when it was my coworkers asking, I just tried to be polite but make them feel like the uncomfortable ones for asking (because it's none of their business anyway).

kwitt22 · December 2014

When I was pregnant I had to work up until I delivered. I got comments everyday at the end about why I was still there and how they couldn't believe I was still working. I told them every time that I for financial reasons I had to work until I had my baby. Finally one day I couldn't take it anymore and said " Ya know I have told you a million times I am working until I have the baby, so how about you quit asking..." Sometimes you gave to be upfront and honest. Don't get nasty but just say "I know your feelings but I am going to continue to pump until I feel my LO is ready to wean".

greeneyed_bride · December 2014

I'd print this up and hand it to her next time she makes a comment. At the very least, maybe it will make her want to stop asking so you don't keep giving her reading material.

ETA - dang it! The link didn't work. Trying again.

ETA - Gah! Why aren't links working?? Ok, google "Kelly Mom Extended Breastfeeding Fact Sheet." There's a pdf document that you can print up.

eggmankate · December 2014

My DD is turning 1 next week. I plan to continue nursing for a little while and wean off daytime pumps. I'm very supportive of extended breast-feeders, but I've asked mothers in the lactation room many times what their future plans are for breastfeeding and/or pumping. Likewise, I'm asked this by others from time to time whether by people in my family or at work. I am not trying to be nosy so I really hope no one in the lactation room has ever been offended by my questions as I'm a firm believer that we need to do what is right for ourselves and our babies. Many times I'm just trying to find a tangent or I'm putting feelers out there as I make my own decisions on when I might start think about weaning.

Congrats on making it to the 1 year!

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