Breastfeeding at 8?????

[parkchick2]

I breastfeed my 1st son until he was almost 4.Wich was harder than weaning off all of my other children I weaned at two and a half. Five in total. With that being said I do find that she is breastfeeding her almost preteen child with no cut off end in sight. Personally I think she is still doing it because it is easy for her to whip out her jubbly rather than wean this almost adult off. Seems mommy has a problem with letting go, and also is she married if so what could her husband think of this?

 

[ryder]

No offence to anyone here, but why do you think it's so wrong? In fact why do we all (myself included) feel we have the right to comment and judge this woman, or any woman who chooses to feed her child longer than 2 years? Most babies in the world are weaned at 4 years, why is western culture so hung up on stopping mother and child having this relationship with one another?

Because breastfeeding an 8 year old, pre-teen, is psychologically wrong for the child on so many levels. And obviously the mother has some kind of issue too, and to me it is some kind of selfish need of the mother. Its emotionally wrong for a child of that age, I dont understand how an 8 year old would WANT to suck on their moms boob.

I dont buy into worldly statistics on the subject of breastfeeding, what happens in countries where overpopulation and poverty is concerned, is not the same for the rest of the world. You simply can't compare it.

 

[oOKayOo]

No offence to anyone here, but why do you think it's so wrong? In fact why do we all (myself included) feel we have the right to comment and judge this woman, or any woman who chooses to feed her child longer than 2 years? Most babies in the world are weaned at 4 years, why is western culture so hung up on stopping mother and child having this relationship with one another?

Because breastfeeding an 8 year old, pre-teen, is psychologically wrong for the child on so many levels. And obviously the mother has some kind of issue too, and to me it is some kind of selfish need of the mother. Its emotionally wrong for a child of that age, I dont understand how an 8 year old would WANT to suck on their moms boob.

I dont buy into worldly statistics on the subject of breastfeeding, what happens in countries where overpopulation and poverty is concerned, is not the same for the rest of the world. You simply can't compare it.

well said that exactly right!

 

[TashaAndBump]

No offence to anyone here, but why do you think it's so wrong? In fact why do we all (myself included) feel we have the right to comment and judge this woman, or any woman who chooses to feed her child longer than 2 years? Most babies in the world are weaned at 4 years, why is western culture so hung up on stopping mother and child having this relationship with one another?

I dont buy into worldly statistics on the subject of breastfeeding, what happens in countries where overpopulation and poverty is concerned, is not the same for the rest of the world. You simply can't compare it.

Actually, it's not just third world countries that breastfeed up until 4 years or so, most societies have at one point started the weaning process at about 4 years as the norm, regardless of their financial status. It is only very recent (since bottle feeding was introduced in the late 40's, and became the major norm, almost the 'in' thing to do throughout the 50's - 70's) that breastfeeding became controversial and breastfeeding mothers felt a pressure that they had to cut off breastfeeding at 6 months.

There was another thread recently about this same documentary; Rather than type it all up again, I will just re-post what I said there:

It is only in Europe and America that this idea babies need to stop breastfeeding at 6 months has come to be so popular that anything else is considered abnormal or 'wrong'.

UNICEF has long encouraged breastfeeding for two years or longer, and the American Academy of Pediatrics is now on record as encouraging mothers to nurse their babies for at least one year, and as long after that as both mother and baby desire. Breastfeeding to 3 and 4 years of age has been common in much of the world until recently, and breastfeeding toddlers is still common in many societies outside of Europe and the USA.

Breastfeeding beyond 6 months, and even up until 2 or so years has fantastic health benefits such as a stronger immune system, and contrary to popular belief, the nutritional benefits of breastmilk are not limited to the first six months of nursing.

There is of course the added bonus to extended breastfeeding of the strengthened 'bond' between mother and child and the enjoyment that both can get out of breastfeeding - why stop a good thing (within reason)? There is also evidence that children who wean themselves (i.e. who naturally stop breastfeeding, between 2 - 4 years) are more independent and more assertive and sure of that independence.

Now, I'm not saying that I would be too pleased to see a mother breastfeeding her 8 year old. This does churn my tummy just a little! However, I don't think it is our place to judge... I'd rather not comment on this aspect of the thread myself.

But as far as breastfeeding a toddler goes, there is nothing wrong with that at all! I mean you don't need to do it in public; it's not like a toddler is going to have a large amount of breastmilk at this stage - it's probably going to be one feed in the morning and one before bed. I can't see any harm in that!

 

[mickey]

since now having thought I will let LO wean herself, this video has changed my mind! I have to say it really puts me off! after watching it and having it in my head for two days, I have to say, I really find it utmost disturbing and for me it looks, like others said already that this woman is acting selfish!

of course, if the weaning process happens naturally it's best, but in this case, I think the woman just doesn't do anything against it!
and I belief as well it is psychological not of benefit for the kid! I mean, I would not like to have my eight year old drawing my boobies!!!

If your kid doesn't learn how to use the loo itsself, you also potty-train it, or not. you would not send it with a nappy to school at eight years of age, would you?

I know from african cultures that they use something bitter to get them off the breast, if they don't wean themselves.

atm, I don't know at what age and what it is exactly, but I will find out. if she doens't wean herself, I will go after this, 'cos I believe in african culture bf is still handled traditionally and most naturally.

 

[KarenLV]

It's kind of creepy....

 

[KarenLV]

since now having thought I will let LO wean herself, this video has changed my mind! I have to say it really puts me off! after watching it and having it in my head for two days, I have to say, I really find it utmost disturbing and for me it looks, like others said already that this woman is acting selfish!

of course, if the weaning process happens naturally it's best, but in this case, I think the woman just doesn't do anything against it!
and I belief as well it is psychological not of benefit for the kid! I mean, I would not like to have my eight year old drawing my boobies!!!

If your kid doesn't learn how to use the loo itsself, you also potty-train it, or not. you would not send it with a nappy to school at eight years of age, would you?

I know from african cultures that they use something bitter to get them off the breast, if they don't wean themselves.

atm, I don't know at what age and what it is exactly, but I will find out. if she doens't wean herself, I will go after this, 'cos I believe in african culture bf is still handled traditionally and most naturally.

I was born and raised in South Africa. The African women use the juice from the leaf of the Aloe Vera plant on their breast to wean of the LO.It is very bitter.Also good for kids who are nail biters!

 

[flitty]

Since when has 8 yo been pre-teen? That's a full 5 years till 13!! 8 yo is still a child, and a young child at that! Nowhere near adult, as someone said!

 

[claire1983]

I dont agree with this at all - she wants to keep her youngest child a baby

 

[oOKayOo]

Since when has 8 yo been pre-teen? That's a full 5 years till 13!! 8 yo is still a child, and a young child at that! Nowhere near adult, as someone said!

What she probably means is at 8 you can start puberty.
I now i did and had boobs by 9 and had a period at 10. This is why others think its wrong as near around that time some girls can start puberty so in a way yes a pre-teen as teens obviously go through it and thats the age to but it can happen younger and its happening alot younger more nowdays to.

 

[Hevz]

Whatever you see the age of 8 as....it's still not quite right to breastfeed an 8 year old is it

...that's my opinion anyway....an I'm passionate about breastfeeding too.

I think I saw her on that programme called "Extreme Breastfeeding"....I was so annoyed by that programmeit only showed weirdo's and "odd" people on it, nobody "normal" in my view. And when one of the women said that it's perfectly normal and common to father to participate in feeding .....WTF....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....it's bloody not

 

[marley2580]

I saw that programme and thought most of them were doing it for the right reasons - one was doing it to prevent breast cancer, while another was doing it because she was going to adopt a baby and wanted to feed it to facilitate bonding.

 

[hellotasha]

lol at u postin the wrong link, yeah ive seen that vid before its not nice at all x

 

[LaDY]

euww thats made me feel all funny...each for their own hey x