Earlier this week I was reading this post about new data showing that 36% of mothers breastfeed until 6 months, and saw a comment by a mother who was offended by the expression "giving up," when used to describe the point when mothers stop breastfeeding.
I've never been comfortable using that expression. I've seen so many mothers struggle valiantly to try to breastfeed that I just can't see stopping as an act of surrender or failure, which is what I think the term implies. Whenever I hear a mother describe weaning as "giving up," and I feel a strong urge to point out her successes.
I even tied myself in knots the other day when I jokingly said, in response to a mother who asked me how long after you wean a young baby your breasts continue to produce milk, "Your breasts don't give up that easy." I then got really flustered and later in the conversation apologized for implying that anyone was giving up anything. They looked at me like I'd sniffed too many baby wipes.
What do you think ? Is this an expression we should give up?
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