The following line can be heard at the end of the latest Milk Formula TV Ads:
“Breastmilk is best for babies up to 2 years of age and beyond.”
I am still breastfeeding Ayex who is now 1year 9months and 4days old. Sometimes she feeds round the clock when I’m home and in nighttime, sometimes she just feeds twice or thrice and sleeps the whole time.
I’m perfectly ok breastfeeding her until now. Ok, I admit, there would be times when I tired and irritated with the way she breastfeeds. There would be times when I wish I could do my things first before breastfeeding her. There would be times when I wish she would finish breastfeeding faster than usual so I can sleep in a more comfortable position. Being a mom alone makes a demanding life, make that triple or quadruple for a breastfeeding mom. Brushing my teeth or going to the bathroom when Ayex is already hungry should be done as fast as I can. Otherwise, you’d hear her loud cry at 9pm – when most of the people around the house and in the neighbors are already trying to find their peace as they prepare to rest.
I’m not complaining. In fact I’m so used to it. There would be nights that I can sleep well despite the every hour or 2 feeding sessions that we have. I’m ok that I can’t stay out late because Ayex would go thirsty. I’m ok not having so much personal time. In fact, I think it would be a super major adjustment on my part when all of a sudden Ayex will stop breastfeeding.
The reason why I’m writing this now is because, I really wanted to know – until when should you breastfeed you baby? I am willing to breastfeed Ayex until she wants to despite the lack of time for myself, the aching back every now and then, the need to pump and express milk at work. I’m perfectly ok doing these things than to have her drink formula given the latest milk-scare incidents. But why does my mom, friends and other people at times tell me that I should already stop breastfeeding Ayex. Is it not really healthy for the two of us once she reaches 24months old? She not breastfeeding alone. She also eats solid foods like rice, fish, chicken, pork, beef and vegetables.
I must admit that when I hear things like those, it makes me sad. It discourages me even when I know I’m doing the right thing and I’m at the correct track. I will still breastfeed Ayex until she wants to unless the an expert really says that it’s not good for both of us – then the ending of every formula milk’s TV Ads should be changed.
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