What Can You Say When They Say...

"How long are you going to nurse that baby?"

• "Oh, another ten minutes or so." 
• "I have no idea." 
• "As long as we both enjoy it." 
• "Well I doubt that she'll go to college nursing, but this is the best thing I can do right now to make sure she does go to college!" 
• "Why do you ask?" 

"When are you going to start giving him real food?"

• "Goodness, what do you think this is?" 
• "Why do you ask?"

"What's in the big box?"

• "A breast pump." 
• "My baby's lunch." 
• "Wouldn't you like to know!" 
• "Why do you ask?"

"You hold that baby too much."

• "Do you think so?" 
• (with a grin): "Yeah!" 
• "Too much for what?"

"You shouldn't have that baby in bed with you."

• "Ah, but don't we have a happy baby?" 
• (with mock indignation): "Now, really, is it any of your business who I'm sleeping with?" 
• "Well, that's where most of the world's babies have always slept.  Seems to work."
• "Why not?" 
• "Oh?"

"You shouldn't nurse your baby to sleep."

• "Well, he's too young to read himself to sleep." 
• "Why not?" 
• "We have to enjoy it now, because he won't want me to when he's ten."

"You're spoiling that child."

• (with a grin): "Jealous?" 
• (with a grin): "Yeah.  Aren't we terrible?" 
• "Do you think so?"

"Are you sure you have enough milk?"

• "You change her diapers for a while, and you won't have to ask!" 
• "Yes." 
• (motioning to baby): "Well, she's pretty sure!"

"Is she nursing again? You must not have enough milk."

• "Actually, this is how she makes sure I have plenty." 
• "This isn't just her food, it's the center of her universe."

"I think it's time you weaned that child."

• "What for?" 
• "Really?" 
• "Now is when it's really getting fun." 
• "What could we possibly gain from that?" 
• "I don't.  Neither does he."

"As your health care advisor, I think you should... (start supplementing or wean, or whatever)."

• "I'd like a little more information before I make such an important decision." 
• "I'm not really comfortable with that approach.  Can you show me the studies that support it?" 
• "Mmm." 
• "But is that a medical issue or a parenting issue?" 
• "What are my other options?  What will happen if I don't?" 
• "Can you recommend a breastfeeding specialist I could talk it over with? What are her credentials?"

©2001 Diane Wiessinger, MS, IBCLC
136 Ellis Hollow Creek Road Ithaca, NY 14850
Used with permission

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