Why does their opinion matter?

I often get cross by the way mothers are portrayed in the media. It seems that little attention is paid to those who feed their children nothing but junk, take little interest in their child's development, drink, smoke and party to the detriment of their child's health and general wellbeing. And yet show them a mother that has the audacity to breastfeed her child past the age of one and there will  be all manner of finger pointing.

Many of them quote the World Health Organisation. "Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age." Except there is no full stop at the end of that quote. The official WHO guidelines are "Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond." Gosh, doesn't that paint rather a different picture.

I'm not normally one to spout off about breastfeeding as I am aware that unless you are actually doing it, it's extremely dull. For some it makes uncomfortable and unwelcome reading. But as a breastfeeding mother, I am getting so tired of reading about what an awful example of a mother I am. The media is quite determined to paint me as some lunatic hippy woman, whacking my ginormous veiny mammaries out at any given opportunity. For example, this article appeared in The Mirror today. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond. It seems I am an "Extreme Parent".

To the best of my knowledge I am not in any way extreme. I am Mrs Mainstream. It happens that my daughter (who is almost 14 months old) is a terrible sleeper. I choose to breastfeed her at night rather than sprint downstairs to prepare a bottle before her cries reach decibel levels that would require Environmental Health intervention. She does have formula milk also, as intolerances mean that she can't have cow's milk yet. I also choose to offer her breastmilk during the day if she is sad for any reason. If her brother won't share or if she's ponked her head on something. Comfort takes many forms, this is our preferred avenue.  And I enjoy breastfeeding. My daughter is very active and independant. I don't get many cuddles. So I cherish those night feeds. Her cute little noises as she suckles. Her tiny hand playing with my hair. Her tiny warm body snug against my rather well worn belly. I admit, much of my perseverance is about me and what I want. She won't be this small forever and I won't get these moments back. But I certainly wouldn't be doing it if it didn't benefit her in some way.

Which begs the question that the original article raised. When DO you stop. Well the answer is simple and it's exactly the same for everyone. When it's right for you and your baby. And not a moment sooner.