Stream of Consciousness Sunday: Special Breastfeeding Comments

Here is my 5 minute brain dump as part of this great series. Here goes …

I’ve had my fair share of “special” comments over the last 18 months regarding breastfeeding. Some are more “special” than others:

  • Someone dared to say that formula was “far superior” to my breast milk (BiP was 6wks old)
  • “You are making her needy by not giving her the bottle” (BiP was 8 weeks old)
  • I’ve been told that I was only breastfeeding my baby for my selfish wants and needs (BiP was 3m old)
  • Apparently I was “abnormal” to be still breastfeeding a baby of 8 months (thank you ultrasound lady)
  • When BiP was approaching her first birthday a lot said that “I’ve done my bit but enough’s enough”

Now most people don’t bother saying anything – I’m a lost cause.

My favourite recent comment actually can from a guy and I’m putting in bold because I think it’s “great“:

“Umm … isn’t BiP a bit too old to still be breastfed? I mean, I’d get it if she was a boy”

What do you say to that? *insert eye roll*

There, I promised you a “special” comment.

Any of your own you’d like to share?

************

This is my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

  • Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
  • Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
  • Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
  • Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post.
  • Link up your post at all.things.fadra.
  • Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

23 thoughts on “Stream of Consciousness Sunday: Special Breastfeeding Comments

  1. Julie

    Because I don’t have kids, I don’t have any “special” sayings — but it is always interesting how people try to interject their opinions of what you should be doing. I try not to do this, especially when it comes to anything parenting related, but so many have their opinions about what is right… or not!

    Reply
    1. Ameena Falchetto Post author

      I’m sure you have some special comments about other topics!!! Thanks for passing by!

      Reply
  2. Jessica

    That last guy’s comment is insane! I got many of the same comments when I was breastfeeding my first. It was so annoying and because I was new at breastfeeding, those comments really bothered me. I am breastfeeding again this time around and anticipate there being more such comments again. This time around, however, I’m prepared for it.

    Reply
    1. Ameena Falchetto Post author

      Seriously huh? Will you be sharing some of your quick retorts to the breastfeeding geniuses out there?

      Reply
  3. Just Jennifer

    Wow. Especially the last guy. I had some issues here and there with unnecessary comments, but none quite as bad as you’ve had. People can be so stupid.

    Reply
    1. Ameena Falchetto Post author

      Those were just the highlights 🙂

      Reply
    1. Ameena Falchetto Post author

      LOL! Told you they were “special” especially the most recent one…

      Reply
  4. Jeanne

    I’d get it if she was a boy??? Ew- what the heck is that supposed to mean??

    You just keep on doin’ what you’re doin’ mama- women did it for thousands of years this way! It’s a shame society is the way it is, but your daughter will thank you for the love!

    Reply
  5. Good Girl Gone Green

    I wish people would mind their own friggin’ business. I keep getting ask when I am going to start her on milk. Ummm- she is drinking milk, just not from a cow! She is 13 months and she is slowly weaning herself but I am not going to stop cold turkey!

    I mean I would understand if it was boy. Ignorant *beep, beep, beep*!!!

    🙂

    Reply
  6. Misty

    Really? If it was a boy it would be OK? That’s so strange!

    I think it doesn’t matter what decisions you make in parenting, someone is always going to second guess and make stupid comments. It’s funny how people seem to have no filter when it comes to pregnancy and child rearing.

    Reply
    1. Ameena Falchetto Post author

      The minute I announced I was pregnant it seemed like everyone was a pediatrician. Pretty amazing.

      Yes, and people certainly have no problem vocalising their ridiculous views on parenting even if they have no kids of their own.

      Saddest part is some of these comments came from my own doctor and medical professionals.

      Reply
  7. Janine

    EWW what DOES that mean? Like if it was a boy on your tit if would be alright? Was that a sexual comment? I don’t even know what to say to that. I am surprised you haven’t punched anyone yet. I’m almost disappointed that I haven’t gotten any negative comments. My mother sort of suggests that I could wean him but I think she is trying to let me know that I’ve done well and it’s OK if I’ve had enough, not so much telling me I SHOULD wean. (At least that’s what I’m hoping she means. She breastfed my sister until 13 months but she weaned me at 8 months because she said I bit her too often.)

    Reply
    1. Ameena Falchetto Post author

      Gross huh? I actually omitted the second sentence because it was overtly sexual … imagine the SHOCK HORROR that BiP will learn that boobies are for …. *drumroll please* BREASTFEEDING!!!

      Punching people won’t get me anywhere … I just roll my eyes and choose my battles.

      I’ve had people say that I should think about weaning because I’ve done really well – they don’t seem to get that I’d like to let BiP decide. Those comments don’t annoy me because there is encouragement in there somewhere right?

      Reply
      1. Janine

        Like with my mother’s comments, I think that there is a compliment in there. I think that most people just assume that breastfeeding is unpleasant and are trying to give you a guilt-free out, like they’re doing us a favor.

        Reply
        1. Ameena Falchetto Post author

          I think it’s nice to look at it that way! 🙂

          Reply
    1. Ameena Falchetto Post author

      Arghhh indeed! 🙂

      Reply
  8. C

    When Rhi was about 10 days old, I had to have an MRI (I had what turned out to be a bad reaction to the spinal, but they wanted to rule out bleeding in my spine). I had to remind the radiologist that I wasn’t to get contrast because I was breastfeeding.

    “Still?” I was asked, dead seriously.

    Um, YES, STILL at 10 days.

    For every thing that makes me relieved that breastfeeding is low pressure in Singapore, there’s an experience like this one that makes me want to go rabid lactivist on someone.

    *headdesk*

    Reply
  9. Fadra

    To each his own, right? I wrote a whole post on the other end of the spectrum about how mothers who feed their babies formula get the same type of comments skewed in the other direction.

    Basically, people need to mind their own business. Period.

    Reply
    1. Ameena Falchetto Post author

      Hey Fadra,

      Yes, of course. I might be a lactivist but I don’t really care how anyone feeds their baby as long as they feed them.

      I just wonder why people seem to feel the need to share their ill informed ideas on subjects that are ZERO concern to them.

      Reply
  10. Melanie Kissell

    Don’t you just want to punch a hole in a wall sometimes, Ameena!

    I mean, really … how ignorant and uninformed can some people be?!

    Here’s a good one for you …
    When I wanted to breastfeed my first baby, my mum said, “In my day, only the poor people breastfed because they couldn’t afford the formula.” SHEESH! Needless to say, I didn’t get much support from her. That’s okay. I still love my mum. And it’s a good thing she lives 3000 miles away. LOL 🙂

    Reply

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