Breast is Best

So another decision I had to make as a parent before my baby was even born was "How will this baby get food?"  I can't really remember what made me decide that breastfeeding exclusively was right for us.  ONE of the many great benefits is of course. .  it's free!!  At this time in our lives we would be broke if we were buying $25 cans of formula every few days.  I read more books on breastfeeding then I did about birth or parenting or anything else.  After reading them I just can't imagine why anyone wouldn't choose to.  There are just so many awesome benefits:  antibodies, immunities, comfort, soothing, bonding, closeness, health and probably a ton more I can't think of right now off the top of my head.  I guess I do know why some people choose not to.  It's a really big commitment and it's hard when you're the only one able to feed your baby but in my experience those feelings only lasted the first few weeks when everything was overwhelming, new and hard.  From what I've read and heard from other moms if you don't have an awesome supportive group of family and friends around you people tend to stop and give up.  I was incredibly lucky that Brynn latch on like a champ and aside from having to change positions with her we haven't really had trouble.  The trouble has been more about those well-meaning people who give unwanted advice and make hurtful comments like:
"Just give her a bottle so you can have a break"
"You're just pacifying her"
"She's hungry again??"
"She just ate she's not hungry"
"Once she starts asking for it you have to be done."
"Are you still breastfeeding?"
"Give her a pacifier so she's not using you"
"How long are you going to breastfeed?"   
Now some of these comments I take maybe too personally when someone was just innocently asking a question but really people.  WOuld you ever ask someone "Are you still giving her formula?"  No you assume babies are fed milk . . .when they are babies.  To me those kinds of questions imply that I should be switching to formula or some other form of feeding because that seems like that's just what people do.  Not me :-)  I had a friend a while back confide that she wanted to nurse her baby until she was 2 or 3 and I did one of those "that's too old" comments in my head.  Lo and behold now that I'm a nursing mommy myself, I find myself thinking the same thing.  I love being able to feed my baby.  Especially now when she looks up at me, pops off the boob and gives me a huge milky smile. .  couldn't be better.  So the answer to that last questions:  I'm going to breastfeed until Brynn doesn't want to.  Go ahead roll your eyes, say it's gross, think it's too old once they start talking or having teeth or whatever you're thinking.  Just keep it to yourself please :-)