My Last World Breastfeeding Week While Breastfeeding

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It’s occurred to me this is my very last “World Breastfeeding Week” as a breastfeeding mother.

With any luck my youngest will be weaned soon, and even though in my heart I would like another baby, I know there’s a really strong possibility that our daughter is our last child and no more babies = no more breastfeeding.

No more dimpled hands...
No more dimpled hands…

To provide a little context for why that’s a big deal- this is my 7th consecutive year of breastfeeding during World Breastfeeding Week. I’m actually really looking forward to weaning my daughter and getting my body back. Not, like, my “pre-pregnancy” body, but I mean for the first time in YEARS I won’t have someone living in or off my body.

My body will be mine. All mine.

1501768_10201667090543238_2032739143_n-300x225
(Maybe still a little bit hers)

Sometimes I do feel a little conscious of the fact that Parenting Central is pretty flooded with breastfeeding posts, because it has been a big part of my life so it’s naturally something I’m going to write about. Though I have also shared my views on formula feeding in “I support formula feeding if…” (as the equivalent of “I support breastfeeding but…” )  And we have published formula feeding posts by our contributors -including  “Formula Feeding – no guilt required” and “Breastfeeding Battles” .

Feeding babies is a good thing.
Feeding babies is a good thing.

Though I am really passionate about promoting the rights of breastfeeding mothers. Supporting Breastfeeding in Public, and even Expressing in Public, and sharing breastfeeding pictures on social media in the form of “Brelfies”.

Brelfies - not exactly a new "trend".
Brelfies – not exactly a new “trend”.

I’ve defended the decision to continue to breastfeed beyond infancy again and again and again, because I’m no stranger to having people actively discourage me from breastfeeding my own child.

Once they're on solid foods they are "too old" for it. Tell that to her!
“Once the eat foods they are too old for it.” Try telling that to her!

I’ve given advice on how to gently wean a toddler, based on weaning my son, and shared my more recent struggles weaning my daughter.

I’ve tried to use humour to point out the absurdity of people discriminating against breastfeeding mothers as well as promoting a number of “Nurse Ins”

blanket in public 3
My thoughts exactly…

I have no doubt that even after I wean my daughter I will continue to support, promote, defend and celebrate feeding babies. At the end of the day that’s all it’s about; I’m 100% Pro-babies-being-fed. (And older children of course! You do need to keep on feeding them, even after they no longer need milk in their diet)

So happy World Breastfeeding Week to everyone!

Also, to celebrate World Breastfeeding wee Parent Talk are giving away an Ergobaby 360!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rachel Stewart

Rachel is the founder of Parenting Central. She is raising two children, boy and girl, with her partner. Rachel is obsessed prams, car seats, carriers and all things baby. She has worked in the baby industry for several years, for both suppliers and also in a retail setting and has developed a passion for connecting parents with the right products to make their lives easier. When Rachel isn't playing with prams she's enjoys crocheting, drinking coffee (sometimes wine) and spending a little too much time on Facebook.

6 Comments

  1. Oh Rach 7 years!! A bittersweet feeling I bet – yes you get your body back but a period of mourning would be pretty natural I’d guess. Props mumma, amazing job xxx

    1. Bittersweet is exactly the word for it. As much as I am looking forward to it (and feel a little ragey when people suggest that mothers are only “doing it for themselves” after a certain age because – trust me – I’m done. I’m over it.) it’s still a funny thing to think of myself as not being a “breastfeeding mother”, it’s almost become a part of my identity – to myself, I mean, outside out blogging land I don’t really advertise the fact I’m still breastfeeding miss 3 year old, but it’s part of how I see myself. But at this stage I don’t really enjoy breastfeeding anymore. I love it when my little girl snuggles into me without trying to sneak a feed, or when she sleeps in my arms with her back to me. But, still, bittersweet.

  2. Oh Rach 7 years!! A bittersweet feeling I bet – yes you get your body back but a period of mourning would be pretty natural I’d guess. Props mumma, amazing job xxx

  3. Oh Rach 7 years!! A bittersweet feeling I bet – yes you get your body back but a period of mourning would be pretty natural I’d guess. Props mumma, amazing job xxx

  4. Bittersweet is exactly the word for it. As much as I am looking forward to it (and feel a little ragey when people suggest that mothers are only “doing it for themselves” after a certain age because – trust me – I’m done. I’m over it.) it’s still a funny thing to think of myself as not being a “breastfeeding mother”, it’s almost become a part of my identity – to myself, I mean, outside out blogging land I don’t really advertise the fact I’m still breastfeeding miss 3 year old, but it’s part of how I see myself. But at this stage I don’t really enjoy breastfeeding anymore. I love it when my little girl snuggles into me without trying to sneak a feed, or when she sleeps in my arms with her back to me. But, still, bittersweet.

  5. Bittersweet is exactly the word for it. As much as I am looking forward to it (and feel a little ragey when people suggest that mothers are only “doing it for themselves” after a certain age because – trust me – I’m done. I’m over it.) it’s still a funny thing to think of myself as not being a “breastfeeding mother”, it’s almost become a part of my identity – to myself, I mean, outside out blogging land I don’t really advertise the fact I’m still breastfeeding miss 3 year old, but it’s part of how I see myself. But at this stage I don’t really enjoy breastfeeding anymore. I love it when my little girl snuggles into me without trying to sneak a feed, or when she sleeps in my arms with her back to me. But, still, bittersweet.

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