Debunking 8 Widespread Stereotypes About Breastfeeding That Simply Aren’t True
Instead, I wanted to breastfeed because I believed it was best for my child. We were fortunate. He latched successfully on his first try, barely minutes after leaving my body, and my supply was abundant. I assumed he’d wean. First, at 3 months. Then 6, 9. Since friends’ little ones naturally weaned, we kept going. And I haven’t stopped. My child is now days away from his second birthday, and I’ve become the most persistent breastfeeding mother of a young child. My old stereotypes about breastfeeding have come back to haunt me now. I’m open about extended breastfeeding on social media and in real life because I hope it helps other moms not to feel so alone. This level of transparency has brought me support and new friendships. Alongside scrutiny, embarrassment, and stereotypes.
Here’s a compilation of some of the things people say about mothers who breastfeed for a long time and why they’re not true:
People say I do this for myself. What part? Controlling what I eat and drink to ensure it’s compatible? Maybe they mean the times I had bronchitis and couldn’t take one of the recommended medications?
Yes, weaning requires effort. So does breastfeeding a toddler. I had to develop acrobatic skills to adapt. Breastfeeding often involves my child contorting into a pretzel-like position, usually with a foot in my face. It’s physically exhausting.
Trust me, I don’t want the kind of attention that comes with this. I’ve received numerous unsolicited “friends'” breast photos online. Even some select videos. Lucky me. There’s nothing sexual in the act of feeding my child. Making breastfeeding sexual depends on you, not me.
Breasts were meant for breastfeeding, hence the presence of lactiferous ducts. Breastfeeding stereotypes have turned them into sexual objects. I find nothing sexual in feeding my child. It’s feeding, plain and simple.
“Are you vegan?” someone once asked upon finding out my child was “still” breastfeeding. “I had steak last night,” I replied. “Soy?” they asked. “Cow,” I replied. I had to clarify I wasn’t vegan or vegetarian. You can’t define breastfeeding mothers or limit us by character or personality traits.
Desire. I agree my breast sides are exposed, but I still keep my breasts covered. It’s known that I blush and turn as red as a beet when my child requests “boobies” instead of “milk” in public.
All these points lead to an inevitable question: Why don’t I stop breastfeeding? The thing is, I don’t want to. I just want to stop being judged and insulted. Because what I do with my life and my breasts is no one else’s business.
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