GainesvilleMoms.com

Here is an excerpt from this article I just read:

"Another things that the singer resents is breastfeeding. "My mom didn’t breast feed and I think that was the thing for me. You read and figure out what’s the best thing for them", she stated. However, most authorities would agree breastfeeding is best – so no idea on what J.Lo has been reading."

So, it seems that Jennifer Lopez's decision not to breastfeed has really stirred a reaction, specifically with moms, across the internet.

While I am very careful not to judge other moms on their parenting decisions, I kind of wish she would have at least given it a shot because she is in the public eye so much and she has so much influence on young women. So, what do you think? Do you think that she is sending a wrong message? Or do you think that this is a personal parenting decision for her that we really have no right to judge her on?

Here is the article:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/J-Lo-Shares-Her-Views-on...lim-Fast-81430.shtml

She doesn't know what she is missing. But I think some people know what they can handle and what they can't.

My opinion? It was a lifestyle choice. Do you really think all those stars parent their new babies without hired help?
If she choose to breastfed, then she would have to be with them around the clock, no nights out and being able to get her body back quickly for her career.

I think it's totally her decision, as it is for any mother.

HOWEVER (that's a big however), I wish that she would have given it a try - it sounds as if she's speaking about something which she knows nothing about. I'm a huge proponent of breastfeeding & I do get excited when I hear about celebrities who breastfeed - Jennifer Garner nursed her baby for 14 months.

In the end it is such a personal decision but I think that there may be mothers who only hear women complain about breastfeeding & may be discouraged from even trying! I wish we had more positive reviews on breastfeeding from mainstream media.

~Jessica, still nursing my 16-month-old

Wow. I didn't know that Jennifer Garner BF for 14 months. I know that Christina Aguilera is also still BFing. I don't know about many of the other celebrities because I don't keep up with them too much. But I agree with Mama C, JLo doesn't know what she is missing.

maybe it's becuase I haven't ever given birth to a child but to me - and it's MY opinion - there is NO way I could be nursing a child at 16 months - or even 14months!!! When the baby and walk to me for it's feedings - it's time for something else. Maybe because as a young teenager - I saw a pastor's wife nurse a kid who was 2!!!! He walked up to her, lifted up her shirt becuase he was hungry!!! HELLO!!! Give the kid a sippy cup!!!!!!

Well I don't know what the usual cut-off is for most moms since I didn't BF the others for more than a few weeks. But I do remember seeing something on TV about moms who chose to BF for a long time, like until their kids were 4 and even 5! And that just seemed so wrong to me. But I think 5 years old and 16 months are two different things. I mean, 5 is when they go to school!

So, what is the usual cut-off for moms? How did you guys decide when to stop BFing?

The "cut-off date" is so entirely different for every baby and mom. I was only able to breastfeed my son for a few weeks and it was only part of the time.
My daughter, I breastfed her for 3.5 years. Beleive me it was not on purpose. To start with, most parents know that you don't make an major changes when there are major family stresses/changes happening. So with that in mind, I had planned on weaning her at 12 months. Then her dad and I starting having problems in our marriage. It was at this time he asked for a divorce.
So I thought I would have her done by 18 months. But then it was at this time we moved from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba back here, Gainesville and I had to start all over.
So my next goal was by 2. But again, another major change. We found a place to live and I had to know unpack a house and get a steady income going while dealing with the legalities and emotional part of divorce. It was a year later before the divorce was settled.
At this time, my daughter was 3 and was breastfeeding only at night. When my nusband, then boyfriend moved in, he helped me finished weaning her since when she would bf'ed at night, I didn't even know or was aware of her latched on. He is a night owl and was know when she would crawl into bed with me and he would take her and put her back in her bed.

Yes, before my experience with my daughter, I would have been appalled at hearing of someone bf'ing a child for so long. My mind has been changed and now I think differently. I do think a child should be completely weaned by starting school, but I am not going to judge that mom. However as contradicting as it sounds, I do think 4-5 or so is too old and at this stage should be discouraged.
I have heard of children as old as 10 still being bf'ed. At that age it is more damaging to the child and is more of a dependancy on the mom.

Wow. You were going through A LOT and so I understand why you didn't want to rock the boat any more for your daughter. I totally understand that. What was different with your son? It's funny how each child is so different when it comes to bf'ing. I think that in your case, it sounds like you didn't want to put any more stress on your daughter. I think sometimes parents bf for so long because of their own wants and desires. I am not talking about most moms, though. I mean, the parents who bf for like 5 years. And did you say you heard about moms who bf for 10 years? Whoa! That just seems really, really wrong.

Oh and wanted to say thanks for sharing. I know this can be a sensitive subject for some moms, especially when others may judge. But your post helped me understand why some moms bf for longer than others. I guess the point is that every child is different, as is every situation. So, thanks again for being so open!

I wasn't able to really bf'ed my son because he was the one I had gone in pregnancy-related heart failure. Although I did my best, because of all the stress, recovery and heart meds, it just didn't work out too well.

Pregnancy-related heart failure? I have never heard of that. Care to share?

Sure, I am fairly open about most things. Pregnancy related heart failure is known as post-partum cardiomyopthy. (or peri-partum. the only difference is when it is diagnosed) I was diagnosed after my son was born.
They don't know the exact cause of it, but they do know what happens. Basically during the last 3 months of pregnancy or up to 6 months post partum you heart can become enlarged and start to fail. Alot of women also retain alot of water with this also. I mean alot as in pounds, not just puffy. It is extremely hard to diagnose just by symptoms since almost all of the symptoms mimic pregnancy and post partum. The only sure why to know is by doing a echocradiogram or by needing emergency medical treatment, which unfortunately has happened to some women.
It is a more rare condition here in the US. Although the exact figures are not known, they are working on a database now to determine just how often it occurs.
One thing they think can be one trigger is having a viral infection such as the flu while pregnant. They are also looking into hereditary factors as well.
It is really hard to completely describe this, since there is still so much unknown. A great place that I have been a part of for about 5 years is a place called A Mother's Heart online. It has information regarding PPCM, which I have and am thankfully recovered from. http://www.amothersheart.org/

Wow. That's a lot to go through. So, are you totally recovered from this? Or does it leave side-effects that you have to deal with?

I am completely recovered in that I don't have to take any meds, my heart is pumping in the normal % range (although the low normal) and is no longer enlarged. I can expect to live a normal life span.
However, if I was to become pregnant again, I would have to worry about the possibility of a relapse. I had to see a high risk OB when I was pregnant with my daughter. I didn't have any problems with her at all.