We gathered in a cozy circle, some perched on metal folding chairs while others sank into floral couches that had certainly seen better decades. As I scanned the room filled with mothers—some cradling their little ones and others not—I found myself pondering, “What am I doing here?” My gaze landed on a spirited toddler, confidently exploring the space and occasionally retreating to her mom for a quick sip of breastmilk.
“Just a breast, don’t gawk!” I reminded myself. “It’s her choice to nurse her toddler, even if it makes me uncomfortable.” These thoughts swirled in my mind as I tried hard not to judge the women at this La Leche League meetup.
As a new mom, I was seeking guidance on nursing in public. I had a baby boy at home, and breastfeeding was going surprisingly well for us. Yet, every time I nursed him outside our home, I felt a wave of self-consciousness wash over me, fumbling nervously with my nursing cover to avoid any accidental exposure. My background as a lawyer had instilled a sense of formality in me, so the world of motherhood—complete with discussions about breastfeeding and diaper mishaps—felt foreign and overwhelming. Luckily, my best friend had joined me at the meeting (after a little persuasion on my part), and as we headed to our cars afterward, I exclaimed, “Did you see that woman nursing the toddler? Wow, that’s wild. That will never be me.”
Oh, the blissfully ignorant words of my younger self.
Fast forward to today, and I’m the proud mom of three—a 6-year-old, a 4-year-old, and a 2-year-old who is still nursing. Yes, I’ve been breastfeeding for the past six years continuously! I nursed through two pregnancies and even tandem nursed—one baby on one side and a toddler on the other—before weaning my boys at around 3½ years. That’s right; I breastfed my kids well beyond their third birthday.
And here’s the kicker: I never jumped on some extreme extended breastfeeding bandwagon. I didn’t join a group of moms who nursed preschoolers, nor did I cling to strict parenting doctrines dictating how long mothers should breastfeed. To be honest, I have little patience for the so-called “mommy wars.” As long as you’re feeding your child in a healthy and beneficial way, that’s what matters most to me.
I’m just an ordinary mom, navigating the ups and downs of parenting like everyone else. I never became a member of the La Leche League after those two meetings. I’m simply doing what feels right for my family. And while you might not need my approval, you definitely have my encouragement to do what works for yours. Whether you choose breast or bottle, trust your instincts—because you know what’s best for your little one.
If you’re interested in more insights on home insemination, check out this post. And for those seeking authoritative information on home insemination, Make a Mom is a great resource. You can also find valuable guidance on pregnancy at the CDC.
In Summary
Parenting is a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. Embrace what works for you and your family, be it breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, and trust that you’re making the right choices.