When it comes to deciding what brand formula to get or type of bottle to use or whether you get low fat or whole milk, there isn't much controversy surrounding that.. When it comes to a mother and her breastfeeding choices, everyone thinks they should get some kind of say in it. In laws, family, friends, doctors, and lets not forget the random people they offend on the internet. A mother breastfeeding is a mother feeding, just as mothers all around the world do, whether they choose to breastfeed or not, but it seems as though breastfeeding moms are the ones who get the third degree, unsolicited advice, and criticism for their feeding choices.

I breastfeed on demand and do not schedule feeds.
When my baby wants the boob, my baby gets the boob. I'm the one doing the feeds, I'm the one that has to stop halfway through my shower, with shampoo still in my hair, because baby decided that he wanted to nurse, right then and there. I'm the one that has to figure out a way to wipe my butt with my free hand, while holding my baby, latched on to my breast, with the other, and let me tell you, that is no fun. I'm the one, that has to eat my food with, you got it, my baby latched on to my boob. So I'm not sure, why anyone would think my choice to breastfeed on demand has anything to do with them, is beyond me. My boobs, my baby, my say.

I breastfeed my baby to sleep.
Breastfeeding is what comforts and relaxes my baby. Breastfeeding is what fills his little tummy. So it only makes sense that breastfeeding is what helps him fall asleep. I have done my research and I'm aware that breastfeeding does not cause tooth decay or as some people like to warn me of, "bottle rot" even though my BREASTfed baby doesn't use a bottle. I also would not call it, "creating bad habits" as other people like to say. I'm the mom and I will always be there for my baby however he needs me to and at night he needs to nurse. Thank you, for your concern, but we have a nice little bedtime routine going on here, and we'd like to stick to it. Plus, my boobs, my baby, my say.

I breastfeed in public and I do not use a cover.
For some strange reason whenever that statement is made, it's as if people really hear this, "I breastfeed in public and I whip my tits out for the world to see, never mind my hungry baby , I just feel like pissing people off today." Believe it or not, not using a cover draws a whole lot less attention than using a cover. Most of the time, it just looks like I'm holding my baby and unless you're really close to me and you're staring really hard , you can't tell. I can barely remember my own head at times , let alone worry about trying to feed my baby in a way, I think will appease the people around me. When my baby wants to nurse, I suddenly have a one tracked mind and all I concern myself with , is getting my baby latched on and fed. I don't care if that's in a church, grocery store, funeral, or a school. If you don't approve, all I have to say to that is, My boobs, my baby, my say, oh and if that doesn't suit you, I advise you to look up the laws, that say I can breastfeed however & wherever I want.

I will breastfeed for however long my baby wants.
Some people have it in their head that when a child has their first birthday that means the breastfeeding needs to stop. Other people base the cut off age on when they can ask for the boobs. I'm glad those people have it all figured out. I would love to see some literature on what makes those things the deciding factor on when to wean my baby.. What I do know is that, The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding up to two years of age OR beyond. I also know that the benefits are still there no matter what age my child is when he receives it, and one other thing I know is that breastfeeding brings him comfort and I don't feel okay about ripping away his comfort simply based on what day of the week his birthday lands on. With any other milestone in a baby or kids life, it's done at their own pace, and that is how it will be with weaning. Luckily, it's my boobs, my baby, my say.

The gist here, if you haven't noticed, that while my choices may make you uncomfortable and may even go as far as to offend some, at the end of the day, you do not get to butt in my feeding choices. My breastfeeding choices and the way I feed my baby does not physically or even mentally hurt you. I understand that you may not agree with my choices or even like my choices, but one thing you're gonna have to accept is, I decide exactly how, when, and where I feed my baby and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it because, my boobs, my baby. my say, deal with it.

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