Pledges

I Breastfeed My 4 Year Old

I pledge to be more open about the fact that my 4 year old son is still breastfed.

I’m really lucky to have the support of some amazing breastfeeding networks where I can be proud of my breastfeeding journeys, especially tandem feeding my son and daughter, who turned 4 and 1 last March. Yet some of my closest friends friends and family wouldn’t know that my son still has a boob at bedtime and again when he wakes in the morning.

I tell myself I’m protecting my son from judgement, but maybe I’m more afraid of being labelled a weirdo or pervert.

My son and I have a beautiful relationship. He is smart, funny, active, capable, independent, caring, crazy and extremely handsome. If this special guy is a product of my parenting, then I have absolutely no reason to be ashamed of the way I am raising him.

Maybe if my friends and family can see that my son is breastfed at 4 and IS NOT impaired or disadvantaged in any way, we can help fight some of the stigma that breastfeeding past infancy is anything other than amazing.

No judgement

I will never ever judge another mother or make her feel uncomfortable with regards to feeding or comforting her baby. If anything, I’m going to tell them GOOD JOB. I’m a breastfeeding mother of an almost 1 year old girl and have never fed in public due to criticism. My baby girl is still a baby… This needs to change.

OUR Journey, not yours.

I pledge to continue to breastfeed my 1 year old (10.5 months corrected) son until he or I are ready to cease, and not a day sooner. I will listen to my supportive and positive husband whenever I feel like I am being judged by others. I pledge to be a supportive friend to my other bosom buddies both past and present.

paying it forward

I pledge to always remember the support and kind words that were offered to me as I struggled to breastfeed my first baby. I got through some tough times with that kindness and pledge to show the same support and encouragement to other bf mums – whether it be with a smile, a compliment or just listening to someone else’s story.

Breastfeeding Toddlers

I pledge to continue feeding my twin toddlers even though it’s not the cultural norm. I pledge not to be embarrassed about the fact I’m ‘still’ breastfeeding!

Rock the Boob!

To continue to rock the boob wherever, whenever, without a second thought; cause the boob is the ultimate, nutritious, fast food for wee humans. To demonstrate nonchalant nourishment as a role model, to rise above barriers to boobies and support others in the same. To promote local laws, and international knowledge, which renormalise children feeding direct from source. To provide encouragement to, and point to sources of education for, anyone struggling to get a handle on unabashed suckling.

Supporting breastfeeding

At the Queensland office of the Australian Breastfeeding Association at New Farm, we provide information and support for women who wish to breastfeed their babies and strive to make breastfeeding unremarkable in our culture.

No cover for me, thanks.

I pledge to breastfeed my baby/ toddler without a nursing cover wherever he needs it. I plan to politely educate anyone who asks me to cover up or use a nursing room.