BBC's Extreme Breastfeeding story- EWWW.

  Hmmm- anyone seen the BBC story about the blatant out-to-shock Times Magazine cover? Put me right off my Special K. I breastfed my son until he was about seven months, I would have carried on for up to a year if his weaning hadn't gone so well but as it was he wasn't really bothered about stopping and was fine with follow on milk and food and, although I did have a pang of sadness about it (mainly because he wasn't a tiny newborn that depended on me and my magical milk anymore), I was fine too. But there is NO WAY IN HELL I would have breastfed him until he's three whether stopping was difficult or not! And I am the kind of mum that finds it really difficult to be away from my baby even for short periods of time, I check on him constantly through the night just to check he's breathing, any little thing I'm straight on Google for, he's been up to A and E numerous times just for me to be told he's teething/ it's just a cough/ no he hasn't got meningitis but even I draw the line at breast feeding him for longer than is necessary or, in my opinion, healthy.

  I just think these mothers that carry on for years must be really clingy and must just want so badly to be needed by their child. This 'attachment parenting' thing- is this supposed to be a good thing? The article says Time defines it as  "extended breast-feeding, co-sleeping and 'baby wearing', in which infants are physically attached to their parents by slings."  Surely that will encourage a clingy, over dependent baby who will have separation issues in the long run? And what are they going to do when their child has to go to nursery or school- pop in to give them their 'bitty'?! Some mum's say it's not a problem as their child only needs it for comfort therefore can go through nursery without but then I think, shouldn't they be discouraging breast feeding as a solution to their child's distress or upset? One day it will have to be replaced by something else so why not sooner rather than later?

  I'm in no way against breast feeding in public- it is the most natural thing in the world and people that find it offensive should get a grip and stop being so prudish and uptight. Bet they don't find bare boobs on the beach offensive! I also think breast is best for a certain amount of time but also the breast nazis that try and  pressurise mums into breast feeding or make them feel guilty for not should face the fact that it doesn't come naturally to everyone and is difficult to begin with. My sister and a friend of mine both had problems with it and couldn't continue as much as they desperately tried. I myself found it seriously difficult and had no amount of health visitors and midwives grabbing my boobs and trying to help. Eventually one excellent midwife taught me an alternative position for my baby and we clicked but it was seriously hard work getting to that point.

  Anyway to summarise: in my opinion- breastfeeding babies = good
                                                                    breastfeeding toddlers = Eww. Just...no!