Today I share with you an interesting article from Christina Strauch, Alternative practitioner about breastfeeding. I hope you like it.
As a non-medical practitioner specialising in paediatrics, Christina specialises in showing parents natural ways to lovingly stand by their children when they are ill and help them to get well again under their own steam. Because this is invaluable for children and shapes them for their whole lives. Christina lives in Switzerland with her husband and their two children.
Are you still breastfeeding?
Every mum who breastfeeds her child for more than 6 months has probably heard this or similar questions aka accusations many times. Unfortunately, when mothers decide to feed their children in the way that nature intended, it always leads to irritation in our western world. I just read again that a mother was asked by a pool attendant to stop breastfeeding or to leave the pool. And that was only because ONE elderly gentleman was bothered by it.
Breasts as far as the eye can see
You see half-naked breasts on every second advertising poster. Quite normal. And if a mother is breastfeeding her baby, who is looking blissfully at her, that's a problem. Sad world. Did you know that the natural age of weaning among indigenous peoples is between 2 and 7 years? That's years, not months! I actually breastfed my son for almost 5 years. For about 2 of those years I only nursed him to fall asleep. It was a wonderful ritual and we both loved it very much. Then he stopped for days at a time and at some point it was the last time. He decided for himself when the time was right for him to let go of me a little more. And I would do it that way again and again.
Shut up complainers
What can you do if you breastfeed your child for a long time, or rather for normal time, and keep getting annoying comments about when you are finally going to stop? The most important answer, which usually takes away the basis for all further discussions, is:
"For my family, it's the right thing to do!"
I've had the best experience with that, because when you start arguing, you're always in the discussion and you're throwing the balls back and forth and in the end the relationship or friendship suffers.
On my Instagram channel @breastfeedingislove I have written a lot about this topic in the past and you will find a lot of information about breastfeeding and good ways to counter stupid questions and comments with wit and charm. Here are a few examples:
Breastfeeding is more than just food
The advantages of (long-term) breastfeeding are obvious and have been clearly proven scientifically:
- Strengthens the bond between mother and child
- Your milk adapts to your child's needs
- You always have the perfect food with you in the right quantity and temperature
- Reduces the risk of allergies
- Reduces the risk of breast cancer
- Reduces susceptibility to infection
- Has a favourable effect on jaw development
- And many more...
To be honest, I don't know why opinions differ so much on the subject of breastfeeding and why there are always heated arguments between mothers. I would simply like to encourage you to find your own way and go it. A way that is right for you and your baby, because you can never please everyone. I sincerely wish you a lot of joy in breastfeeding, personal responsibility in your decisions and, once in a while, enough quick-wittedness to charmingly shake off annoying nagging people 😉 I would like to encourage you to find your own way.
All love,
Your Christina
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