[Zima]

Congratulations Fordmum - what a fantastic milestone!

We are celebrating our own tomorrow - DS is turning one and I am patting myself on the back for 12 months of continued breastfeeding! My initial goal was to get to 6 months but I am finding that I am happy to keep going until DS is ready to finish. Although I am expecting the relatives to pipe up soon with the "when are you going to stop" business!

Congratulations again!

[fordmum]

Let your DH know that your breastfed toddler will not get as many virus's and anything else that is going around, and if he does, it will be very mild - so that is a plus. Another plus, is that you will be a low risk of contracting breast cancer at a later date, because mums who breastfeed for two years cumulatively (1,2 or 3 babies) lower their risk of getting this insidious disease.

So, because my biological mother did not breastfeed is one of the reasons behind her increased risk of getting breast cancer which she did get and has had to have a double mastectomy.

Does this mean that although I'm at risk of getting it because it is also genetic that I have now decreased that risk due to having breastfeed for over two years cumulatively?

If so, awesome and I will continue to feed as long as possible.

[fordmum]

Thank you all for reading and to those who replied.

I often consider giving up but the votes of confidence from everyone here including many at my DD's school continue to give me the boost to keep on going.

It is such a wonderful experience and I feel very fortunate and privileged to be continuing to BF.

Good luck to all those that choose to BF and enjoy it while you can.

To those who aren't enjoying the BF experience, think about all the benefits you are giving your baby including convenience of not needing a microwave and therefore to be able to feed anywhere, reducing illness, providing the best sustenance there is, the good it is doing your baby's brain (and therefore their intelligence), your less at risk of breast cancer (so now I've been made aware)... there are so many more benefits.