FF - BF opinion

Pookums · January 2011

Okay IYPO without anyone getting offended is BF a three year old somewhat odd or to be commended? Is there enough nutritional value at that point for it to be worth it any more?

Just curious what everyone else thinks, I mean up until I was pregnant I had zero intention of BF at all. I really hope no moms or moms to be get offended but it was a major hot button on another board.

pila78 · January 2011

In one of my classes in college, my professor stated that it is perfectly healthy and normal to BF up until the age of 5. I've also read it in a few child developmental articles/journals, so that would mean that it is nutritional when the child is 3. I'm not going to give my opinion because I don't want to offend anyone.

FutureMrsNAH · January 2011

If someone wants to, more power to them. I have zero intention of doing it past 1 year. Personally, I don't think it's a MUST for the nutrients (just like you don't have to formula feed after 1 year) but it doesn't hurt. It seems to me (as someone who doesn't plan to do it, nor have I researched the benefits of continuing it) to be a comfort/emotional connection thing at that point.

tshott · January 2011

IMPO, feeding a three year old at the breast is a little odd and would probably get the side-eye from me. I think that it would be different if a person were giving that child breastmilk in a cup.

shyntrue · January 2011

My cousin BF her oldest til he was 5.... We thought it was weird. But, to each his own.

On that note though, her ex-husband taught the child to say "titty time mommy" when he wanted to BF... He was a class act! Not!!

MarJo03 · January 2011

I could understand pumping, and giving the child breastmilk that way (in a cup, cereal, whatever)... but if I saw a 5 yr old attached to a bewbie, I'd totally judge.

LindsayM · January 2011

This was brought up in one of my childhood developmental classes at one point in college.

I read a thread on the TTGP board about this very thing just a day or two ago, is that the one that you're talking about? It had TONS of replies and I was absolutely amazed at the number of women who just said it was "gross" and didn't even bother understanding the research behind it. The milk produced actually changes and adapts with the stages of nutritional needs of a child throughout the first few years. I'm not saying it's required to BF that long, but it definitely *does* still have nutritional benefits.

I have no idea how long I'll BF (well, guess I have to get KTFU first, haha), but I will for as long as I can - hopefully until the age of two.

I suppose what frustrates me so much is that women in our country tend to sexualize it and feel that it's "icky" to have their little one on their boob.... but that's EXACTLY what they're made for!

That being said - I wouldn't judge a woman either way. To each, her own.

mrsbaecker101108 · January 2011

I think I would probably side eye a woman who was publicly breast feeding a child over the age of 2. Especially if that kid was just eating solid food, then going to the breast. I wouldn't side eye if they gave the kid breast milk in a cup. I def. understand the nutrition aspect to it, and it makes sense. I think it just weirds me out that this kid is old enough to converse with you about it. But if they give their kids BM in a cup in public and during the day and only actually nurse at bedtime. I could be ok with doing that until the kid is 3 or 4. But once they start school I don't know how ok I would be with it. And I think that has to do with the fact that it is not part of our society. If every kid did that, I don't think it would be as weird. I would just hate to get a call from school because my kid was talking about BF to one of their friends.

MarJo03 · January 2011

mrsbaecker101108:
I think I would probably side eye a woman who was publicly breast feeding a child over the age of 2. Especially if that kid was just eating solid food, then going to the breast. I wouldn't side eye if they gave the kid breast milk in a cup. I def. understand the nutrition aspect to it, and it makes sense. I think it just weirds me out that this kid is old enough to converse with you about it. But if they give their kids BM in a cup in public and during the day and only actually nurse at bedtime. I could be ok with doing that until the kid is 3 or 4. But once they start school I don't know how ok I would be with it. And I think that has to do with the fact that it is not part of our society. If every kid did that, I don't think it would be as weird. I would just hate to get a call from school because my kid was talking about BF to one of their friends.

That's not why for me, I'd give the side eye because it's very intimate for a mother to breastfeed and a child to be breastfed. Typically its the mom who has trouble giving it up. Breastfeeding a child at that age would stunt their emotional/independent growth.

Oct08b2bee · January 2011

I would be highly disturbed if I saw a woman publicly breastfeeding a 5 yr old. Call me ignorant or uneducated if you want but that's my feelings on it.

shelley1002 · January 2011

I agree that at that age it should be served in a cup. I wouldn't judge anyone I knew about BFing for so long. A stranger I would give the side-eye - like the lady at a park in Boston who hadn't ever shaved or used deodorant and was nursing her 4 year old during a very crowded daytime free concert (Blues Travellers). No blanket or towel or anything to cover the kid. she just whipped out her boob and the kid sat on her lap and latched on. I totally judged her and still do almost 9-10 years later. Maybe I am (what's the word) shallow? insensitive? judgemental?

I have to agree with T and I probably feel that way because it's not part of our society. If it was I am sure I would have no issue with it. I don't have an issue with any mother nursing a child under the age of 1 in public.

FutureMrsNAH · January 2011

I can tell you one thing, I sure as crap won't be pumping just to give him BM in a cup when he's 2+. Pumping is a pain and I can't wait to kick mine to the curb! I'll be so free going in to work!

crows1920 · January 2011

FutureMrsNAH:
I can tell you one thing, I sure as crap won't be pumping just to give him BM in a cup when he's 2+. Pumping is a pain and I can't wait to kick mine to the curb! I'll be so free going in to work!

here here sista!

MrsStreff · January 2011

I am sure people think its crazy, but it is normal for people to bf that long if not longer. I know a few people that have. I personaly wouldnt, but to each their own. There was a documentary done on a lady that bfs her 5 year old in England, but i dont rememeber what it was called.

Now_a_Swearingen · January 2011

Out of 5 women that I've been pregnant with I'm the only one still breastfeeding. I plan on doing it up until about a year (or until my milk goes away, I'm having supply issues). I wouldn't think that there would be any more nutrition to it past then because your child is old enough to eat real food. It's up to the parent to provide foods that are high in nutritional value if they do not plan on BF'ing past then.

aleesh19 · January 2011

I think everyone makes valid points, but for me I have a hard enough time with the thought of BF, let alone doing it for 5 years. I imagine once the teeth start coming in, I might have to cut the hypothetical baby off. But I wouldn't be opposed to continuing to pump if my milk production was still up. I would also like to have the feeling of freedom as well. By the time the kid is 1 or 2 I'm going to want to go away on short trips with just DH and wouldn't really want to cart my pump around just to keep up my supply.

DH was BF until he was 2 and it totally creeps me out.

In my completely uneducated opinion, I would think that the mother would also have detachment issues...

Pookums · January 2011

LindsayM:

This was brought up in one of my childhood developmental classes at one point in college.

I read a thread on the TTGP board about this very thing just a day or two ago, is that the one that you're talking about? It had TONS of replies and I was absolutely amazed at the number of women who just said it was "gross" and didn't even bother understanding the research behind it. The milk produced actually changes and adapts with the stages of nutritional needs of a child throughout the first few years. I'm not saying it's required to BF that long, but it definitely *does* still have nutritional benefits.

I have no idea how long I'll BF (well, guess I have to get KTFU first, haha), but I will for as long as I can - hopefully until the age of two.

I suppose what frustrates me so much is that women in our country tend to sexualize it and feel that it's "icky" to have their little one on their boob.... but that's EXACTLY what they're made for!

That being said - I wouldn't judge a woman either way. To each, her own.

It was actually on my local and I felt sort of bad for the OP-er she aplogized profusely for posting it but I really didn't think she was being jerky or even really uneducated I think she just reflected what a lot of the general population (of Americans) may feel. There were quotes flying around so I looked it up and a great deal of them were on breast feeding websites so I was curious to see what you guys thought.

I am much more open minded than I use to be. I use to actually find breast feeding creepy when I was a lot younger. Embarrassed

crows1920 · January 2011

LindsayM:
I suppose what frustrates me so much is that women in our country tend to sexualize it and feel that it's "icky" to have their little one on their boob.... but that's EXACTLY what they're made for!

to be completely honest, i had (and still sometimes have) a lot of moments where EBF is uncomfortable for me because of this. not that i feel it's gross at all but my whole life my breasts (because they are massive) have always been sexualized. it was rather awkward for me to all of a sudden relate them to be a source of food for my daughter.

and no matter how comfortable one is bf'ing, our society (whether we like or not) doesn't always make it so easy.

i for one never put any expectations on bf'ing. i didn't want to be let down if for some reason i wasn't able to. i gave myself small goals (actually still do) so i feel like i am accomplishing something. my goal at the moment is more with alicia's thinking where i don't know if i'll nurse once she gets teeth but i'll definitely still pump (if my supply is still established). although now that she's semi-teething that may be a little too soon for me :P

who knows. i take bf'ing one day at a time. i can definitely say that i will not be nursing after 1 yr. pumping probably but not nursing.

FutureMrsNAH · January 2011

Jess, I always thought I'd be DONE when he got teeth but nope, he's got 6 and we're still going! You honestly don't feel them at all.

He's bit me probably 4-6 times (the last time was probably right after the second two came through) and it hurt like a biznatch for a second or two, don't get me wrong but it was fleeting and I've dealt with a lot more pain from labor and clots and mastitis that it really wasn't that bad. You just break the latch and say "no biting" and then re-latch a little bit later after.?

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