[ThaiSpice]

How does your family view breastfeeding, in general?

Did your mother/your SO's mother breast feed their children? What about your sisters, aunts, grandmothers, etc?

Do you generally feel supported by your family when it comes to breastfeeding, or do you get questioned by them about why you're doing it?

[mgm78]

No one in my family breastfed. When DD was born, my cousin had bf her DD a little bit, but that is about all. Not much support or anything from either side of family.

[ThaiSpice]

I think that makes it tough .

My mom did breast feed my sisters and me, but for my older sister and me, it was only 4-6 weeks. At the time, the physicians, her mother, and her MIL were all recommending formula vs. breast feeding. I think my grandmothers were part of the generation that viewed breastfeeding as not as sterile or able to provide as much nutrition as formula. I think I had a virus of some kind at around 4 weeks, and the pediatrician told her she might as well give me formula because she'd lose her supply if I was sick. How times have changed! Then when my younger sister came along, my mom was more informed and breast fed longer (several months?). So my mom was definitely supportive of it.

My MIL did breast feed all four of her kids for a year or so each. She's a big supporter.

My older sister breast fed both of her kids until they were toddlers. She did tandem BF for a while. Definitely a huge supporter.

My younger sister breast fed her son, but struggled with supply when she went back to work. She's a nurse, and found it tough to get away to pump (even though legally she was allowed to...sometimes patient care just didn't allow for it). But she nursed/pumped as long as she could, which was several months I think.

And then I know I have at least a couple of cousins who have BF their kids. So I'd say, in general, my family is pretty supportive. Outside of my family, though, most people I know IRL would think that nursing a toddler is VERY strange. I work in healthcare, and you'd think they they'd be more likely to understand, but my co-workers at the time I was BF last time were NOT supportive. Only one of the ladies had a child, though, and she thought that 6 weeks of BF was all anyone should even try to do. Everyone that I worked with felt that it was inappropriate to nurse a baby/child who could talk, ask to nurse, or had teeth. I just didn't talk about it, and most of them have no idea that I BF as long as I did.

[BeachMum]

Nobody in my family bf'ed either. I don't really feel supported by family but they aren't rude about it, mostly just comments of how I should wean (at 4 months, etc). My hubby is SUPER supportive though and we're big on breastfeeding.

[Kai452]

My mom breastfed me for about a month, but was unable to do it longer because her supply wasn't enough. With my younger siblings, she was advised not to breastfeed because of all of the chemo and radiation therapies she underwent before she got pregnant with them.

DH is VERY pro-bf, though. I've had to make sure he understands that I'll try my best to breastfeed for at least a year, but if my supply is insufficient, we'll have to switch to formula.

[Kai452]

My mom breastfed me for about a month, but was unable to do it longer because her supply wasn't enough. With my younger siblings, she was advised not to breastfeed because of all of the chemo and radiation therapies she underwent before she got pregnant with them.

DH is VERY pro-bf, though. I've had to make sure he understands that I'll try my best to breastfeed for at least a year, but if my supply is insufficient, we'll have to switch to formula.

[mistletoe]

My mother breastfed all of us. I don't know about the rest of the family, but my cousin is a big supporter. Don't know much about DH's side (and don't particularly care). But I have support from friends and family, as well as DH. Though I given the trouble we've had in the past two weeks, I think my father was starting to worry about my mental well-being if I continued. Hopefully I can report back to him far less frustration soon.

[Fluga]

I was breastfed for 4ish months which back in the 70s was a lot. People around me are basically supportive of my breastfeeding. My mom sometimes inquires whether my older one is still breastfeeding or how long I am continuing for but I dont mind. She is turning 5 in couple of months so it is bit unusual to be breastfeeding her still.

[miamor]

my mother thought formula was best and didn't breast feed us even one day. i feel weird about it. i think a lot of it wasn't just that formula was said to be better, i think she didn't want to put in the effort. she decided before we were even born. i was also born in a third world country where formula wasn't as readily available.
i think i have slight resentment about it now that i've breastfed my own child. no, it's not easy, but nothing was going to deter me from doing this for him.


my maternal grandmother nursed both her daughters and had so much milk she actually wet nursed other kids.

my SIL breastfed both of her kids for 8-12 months...i think she was a huge help for me because she could relate to me when i was struggling.

[ThaiSpice]

These are all interesting responses...thanks for sharing!