Nursing Aaqil beyond 2 years...

A lot have been asking me how long more will I be breastfeeding Aaqil. And trust me, it is not easy for me to respond without causing offense.

I have found out handling that situation with humor works best for me. When someone asks me, "How long are you going to nurse him?" I'll often respond, "Oh, about fifteen more minutes!" That usually lightens the mood and everyone relaxes a bit. If someone really seems interested, I usually talk about the amazing immunities breastfeeding provides, and the fact that toddlers need those immunities even more. Since they are more mobile, toddlers often touch-and taste-everything in reach and so are exposed to more germs. There is usually a toddler around and when the person contrasts the busy toddler with the infant in arms, I often see a light go on in their minds.

My FIL's wife, as far as I can recall has been hinting me to stop breastfeeding Aaqil months ago. Reason being, she wants Aaqil to be with her without our presence. For the past 2 years, I never gone out with Omar without Aaqil, not sure how the feeling will be like if I ever get the chance again but one thing for sure I know it will be a restless date for both of us thinking what will Aaqil be eating, what is he doing and so forth. Most older generations tend to feed our youngs with unnecessary food, and if we prevent them, they will do it secretly without our knowledge. It might sound that we are being overly strict on Aaqil's diet, but that is the path we have chosen as we know when he grows up, he will have the chance to taste all those junkies. Bottomline, we know he is not under-nutritioned without having those unnecessary food. Like the experts say, we don't have to expose our children with food, they will automatically decide what is delicious and what is not for their taste bud when they can decide. My MIL, on the other hand, feels a little bit uneasy looking at me and Aaqil in his 'monkey position' whenever he is breastfeeding. I never blame her though as she has no experiences at all breastfeeding her 2 children. Anyway she is more concern about the shape of my boobs (yes, disappointingly, for some, the shape is more important than having the best for their child). It's ok Mak, they are already pointing south because I didn't exercise them. Maybe there are creams in the market that can fix them back heh... was told Clarins has one. It costs SGD75 and it will point back to the desired position.

Anyway, maybe most of my readers would think that nursing toddlers is only possible if you are a stay at home mom (SAHM), or have enough milk/big boobs or some would say fanatic about breastfeeding. These perceptions are all wrong in fact. I have friends who are teachers, executives, managers just to name a few who are still nursing their toddlers and some are doing great even tandem nursing their kids. It is amazing thing how this people come forward to motivate and tell us their life stories, on how they managed to maintain their professions while making sure their toddlers at home have sufficient expressed breastmilk (EBM) and nursing directly when they are at home.

On my next posting, I shall touch on the myth of breastfeeding which I now believe it's a myth being passed down by our older generation to 'scare' us on breastfeeding. Stay tune, if I didn't get to your nerves yet!

I am still breastfeeding Aaqil as we both enjoy it. Actually breastmilk tastes like cantelope juice, it is sweet and creamy-like. The reasons why your young ones find it so delicious about. Breastfeeding often calms Aaqil down and helps him to go to bed. If he is sick, I will not have to run here and there, looking for the best pediatrician as I know my milk is the best fluid rather that giving him artificial fluid. It helps him to be better with its rich nutrients and antibodies from me. Best of all it gives him a sense of comfort and closeness with me. Oh, perhaps the best of all my milk is FREE.

This write-up is based solely on my experiences and my personal findings and has no relations to any persons in particular, so the victim is still me.

GOD says,
"The mothers shall give suck to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be Treated unfairly on account of her child. Nor father on account of his child, an heir shall be chargeable in the same way. If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them. If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms. But fear God and know that God sees well what ye do. (The Noble Quran, 2:233)"