Extended nursing comments

[marensmama]

I was at work yesterday, suffering from a rotten cold and my boss tells me I should take a decongestant to feel better.  I tell her I can't because I'm still nursing and her eyes just about pop out of her head.  She closes the door to her office and asks me if I'm kidding, and wasn't Hayden well over a year?      So I explain that the WHO and the health community recommend BFing for up to 2 years and beyond, and she says she can't believe that I have to 'suffer' for that long.  I tell her that it's by choice, and I enjoy it, so it's not exactly suffering, but she was on the way out her door to find the only other childless female in the office to tell her.      Did I mention that she's a doctor?!

So later that night I phone my mom and tell her about it, and she says, "Well lots of people find it weird, and most women would want to give it up long before the year passes, but I didn't BF so I don't know how anyone could enjoy it."    Did I mention that formula in those days was evaporated milk mixed with some sort of syrup?  I'm lucky my brain was developed at all on that stuff! 

GRRRRR!  Just when I wanted to post about making it to 14 months and still going strong, with just 2 feeds a day for the last 2 months.  Now I feel like I have to justify it or keep quiet.

[mum101]

HUGS, that is pretty off. 

I felt a bit uncomfortable when DS hit the 6 months, I imagined that some people would think it's time to wind up.  I talk about it less as a safety net to myself  . I imagine if I told anyone that I intend to bf my son well past a year, if all goes well, they would think it was weird.  I thought the oldies might find it weird, but was totally buoyed by DS's great nana who asked and was like 'good on you, well it's the best thing for them hands down'.  I was so chuffed to get such positive feedback.  But I imagine for one great comment there are many off comments. 

Only we can know the true experience, which is a real shame. 

[Aly Mac]

Oh hugs to you! and shame on your boss on two counts - one, as your boss, i think she was stepping over the line there in terms of discrimination/harrasment kind of. and two, that she is a dr and does not know better!

i NEVER once felt i suffered while bfing. i was lucky that really, i had no pain ever, no mastitis, and really enjoyed the time.  CONGRATULATIONS FOR 14MONTHS !!!!!

[RachelC]

{{{hugs}}}  That was really really uncalled for.  You are doing an amazing thing for Hayden!  Congrats for 14 months... here's to another 14   

[Lilah'sMommy]

    So sorry you had to endure that, hun.  You know and we know that you are doing an amazing thing for Hayden, and take comfort in knowing that there are plenty of us here that understand how special and enjoyable it is.  I do.

And CONGRATULATIONS on getting to 14 months!

[1sttimemamma]

I'm with you - I'm 16 months into feeding my son. It wasn't anything I planned to do - but here we are! I work swing shift two nights a week and I used to pump for the night feed time. I got LOTS of comments from people - actually, from other moms. "Isn't he over a year" - that kind of stuff. I stopped pumping at work - partly because I barely got three ounces and partly because I hated lugging that pump around - there was a small part of me that wanted to avoid people making comments. Most mom's I know - stopped nursing before their kids were a year - so what I'm doing is strange to them.

[Peek-a-boo]

{{{Hugs}}  Grrrr to your boss!! 

And wooooooooooooooooooo hooooooooooooooooooooo congratualations on 14 months! 

[woopster]

14 months is WONDERFUL!!! 

Your boss sounds like she can't see further than the end of her nose! That's her loss.

[rinajack]

14 months is great! I am just about at 16 months now....and have had very small odd comments, but nothing like that! OMG!

[em_here]

Oh huge huge hugs, you are doing an amazing thing! Be proud, ignore her, what a moo! xxxxxx

[SylvieA]

Yay for 14 months. Funny because I'm already asked on how much longer I'll be nursing DD and she's only 4mo. When I say til at least a year, I get a funny look. My sister is the worst and my dad is my biggest supporter. Keep on going as long as you want and don't worry about what your boss or anyone says. BTW I thing your boss crossed the line, one of her duties should be to not talk about any of the emlpoyees to others, especially in office.

[Purplecattypants]

OMG 

Stupid, ignorant woman. Luckily I havent had any negative comments about the fact that i'm still bf, but i'd like to see someone try!!! 

I think people without kids do find it a bit strange...I think once you have your own you develop a deeper understanding of such matters. Maybe one day she will understand! In the meantime, bottoms to her

[clh]

I'm so GRRRR to your boss on your behalf.  WOW!  She was SO out of line.  First off, it's not her business in any way, and 2nd, it certainly is not her information to share with other coworkers.  I'm thinking that probably crossed some sort of HR policy, too.  GRRRR...

BUT on the upside, WoooHooo!!!  You've made it to 14 months!  That's so wonderful.    Nicole, that's a tremendous thing for you & Hayden to accomplish.  You just come here & brag away.    We know how special that is. 

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Well im afraid thats the world we live in

That aside thats why this site is so great, we are in a community where we don't judge each other and are there to for support

WELL DONE FOR GETTING TO 14MTHS yay yay yay

Keep up the good work and just remember those benifits, oh and hold your head up high when you tell these people as it IS something to be proud of.

Kate x

[KellyC]

Congratulations on making it to 14 months!

I think you responded well in the situation (I'm the sort of person who stutters and can't find the words and then thinks of all the things I could have said afterwards!) but I really can't believe she thought it her business to tell somebody else in the office, how rude!

Feel proud that you're doing such a great job for your LO - I do!

Kelly x