My friend Sara and I were chatting a couple days ago about our thoughts on being breastfed past infancy. I brought up the positive experiences I had while being breastfed into my early childhood years (I weaned around the 5th or 6th year of life, but the process is so slow no one really remembers my exact age). Anyone making the argument against extended breastfeeding (breastfeeding past infancy) has a hard time debating with current parents who were also parented in a similar way, and are choosing this specifically because of their positive experiences they had (as well as taking into account their own child’s individual needs).
Sara summed it up well: “Yep, I think it fires people up when they can’t chip away at my confidence by scaring me into thinking that breastfeeding and AP will make my child unfit for society. I’ve gotten some wacky comments when I point out that I was breastfed until age three.”
Below, on the left, is a photo of me with my parents in 1988. To the right, is me again, now as a mother, with my last nursling and my husband. Full circle.
Thank you mom and dad for giving me the confidence to parent the way I know is best for each of my children, and to do it without apology.
Love the two side by side pictures!!
You are so welcome, Jamie.
We love you much!
Mom and Dad
Love it! I didn’t find out until my son was born that my mom breastfed me until age 3. I wish she had pictures, but alas, there are none. I’m making sure to take lots of pictures of my son nursing. And hopefully of his future brothers/sisters too, well into toddlerhood. God’s beautiful design for health & bonding – He is so thoughtful!
My mom breastfed me until I was three+ and breastfed my younger sister until she was four. I honestly didn’t even know this was considered “weird” until recently! I hope I’m able to breastfeed my future kids and can’t wait to bring up the fact I’m second-generation if anyone dares to give me crap
I love the side-by-side pictures! This is an amazing thing to see!
: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPSAgs-exfQ
Very touching..! Out of the subject, I discovered this french woman a few days ago and wanted to share it with other moms. She is a mid-wife who created a bath for babies. The video brought me to tears! It’s like a watsu for new born
Keep up your great blog Jaime!
Yes, my Mother nursed me until I was 18 months. My younger siblings were also breastfed, two of them being twins. I nursed my daughter until she weaned after she turned 2 (26 months) and am currently nursing my son who is 1. Beautiful Breastfeeding photos!
My three children were breastfed until age 4, 3 1/2, and 4 1/2. My oldest daughter is now a mom and her first child, a son who celebrates his 2nd birthday tomorrow, are still nursing