breastfeeding in front of older kids

[winterbabies3]

I have 3 older step kids that come on the weekend and I find it really hard to breastfeed in front of them. Honestly it's hard to do it in front of my 6 year old let alone other kids. Yes I use a cover but still feel awkward. How does everyone else deal with feeding around your older kids? I'm not a big fan of doing it in public either so maybe I'm just to well reserved if that makes sense..

 

[Zephram]

I don't mind. I breastfeed in front of my three year old and his cousin who is 5. I think it's important that kids know the actual purpose of breasts.

Edit to add that I've never seen a kid phased by it, they are much more matter of fact about it than adults.

 

[Cangaroo]

I feed in front of my 4 year old all the time, and happily feed at places where there are older children (playgroups, Church, ballet lessons etc). The older children are often very interested and I think it's great for them to be exposed to breastfeeding as much as possible to help them see it as the norm. I still remember seeing my cousin breastfeeding her new baby when I was a child, and I wasn't embarrassed, just slightly intrigued. I was about 12, I think.

 

[staralfur]

I used to feed my LO (as a toddler) at the local play cafe (which was for kids up to 8). There were definitely older kids that saw it, never got a second glance from anyone.

I think it's great to feed in front of older kids, hopefully they grow up knowing it's normal and not something to be hidden away.

 

[winterbabies3]

You girls make great points!

 

[Twinmum87]

I feed in front of my 7.5 yr old twins, I peek to see if they are watching so they don't see my nipple getting him on but if they are glancing I make an effort to cover. I don't bother covering once he is on, I tell them not to stare. Donlt think I would feel as comfortable infront of step kids thou but thats just me, I am pretty shy with it anyway.

 

[jessmke]

We had family over at Christmas and my 6 year old neice was completely fascinated by my breastfeeding, she had her face inches from my breast while my baby was feeding, she wasn't trying to see my boob, she was just trying to figure out what was going on. After a few minutes of her inspecting the situation she looks up at me and asks 'is the baby DRINKING something?!?', lol. So I explained to her that this is how babies eat, and when she was a baby this is how her mom fed her. I think it's great for kids to see breastfeeding as normal and to learn that this is what our boobs are made for.

 

[lau86]

We had family over at Christmas and my 6 year old neice was completely fascinated by my breastfeeding, she had her face inches from my breast while my baby was feeding, she wasn't trying to see my boob, she was just trying to figure out what was going on. After a few minutes of her inspecting the situation she looks up at me and asks 'is the baby DRINKING something?!?', lol. So I explained to her that this is how babies eat, and when she was a baby this is how her mom fed her. I think it's great for kids to see breastfeeding as normal and to learn that this is what our boobs are made for.

That's so funny! Op I also wondered if my 4 yr old would be funny about it but he wasn't. I also feed in front of my 10 yr old niece and 16 yr old nephew!! Who I thought would be embarrassed but he wasn't

 

[crownest]

I feed in front of my 17 and 12 nephew and 14 niece and they don't think twice about it. The only comment the 17 made was that I was very discrete and he couldn't see anything. They make me tea and fetch and carry while I feed. They will come chat to me the boys just don't look down

 

[Mannie89]

I've always nursed my son in front of my step son. He was 4 1/2yrs. when his little brother was born and was never phased by it. He was confused at first but he only needed it explained to him once and he was over it. Lol. He saw his new baby sitter breastfeeding her 8 month old the first day there and all he said was, "Oh, my baby brother gets milkies too!" and ran off to play. It's normal and natural and it's important for children to understand the purpose of breasts. Most of the time they don't even bat an eye about it.

 

[slammerkin]

Definitely think it's a good thing for kids to see moms breastfeeding to help normalize it. If they grow up used to seeing it, it will help them or their partners when they have their own children.

 

[babe2ooo]

I feed in front of my 7 year old and he doesn't care one bit. I also feed in front of my 15yr old step son and he doesn't care but he saw me bf my youngest so he's seen it b4.

 

[chezababy]

I feed in front of my 10 year old brother and 9 year old niece. My niece wasn't at all bother but my brother did ask what I was doing. When I said I was feeding him he asked how so I explained that boobs have milk in and baby can feed like he would from a bottle. He thought it was really cool. I think it's really good if children can see breastfeeding to normalise it for them.

 

[winterbabies3]

So lately I have been carefree (or trying to be) around my 6 year old and he has actually gotten use to me feeding her. I explained how and that other things (animals) do it too and he was completely okay with it and not looking at me weird or confused=) so feeling much better about that since my son is always around, the step kids tho...have to work on that one lol

 

[nmpjcp2015]

I breastfeed in front of my 12 yo SD and my three nieces 8, 10, 15. I think it bothered them at first, but I hate covers and wasn't about to use one at home. I always use on out and about though. If I had a SS, I might feel differently.

 

[jtink28]

My stepdaughter is now 11, and was almost 9 when my son was born. I would feed my son in front of her, but I always used a cover. I personally wasn't comfortable exposing my breast to her, but I wasn't going to run into another room to feed him either. We are not extremely close - she is very close with her mother, and I think she feels if she was my friend she would be disloyal to her mother. So we have a different relationship that doesn't lend itself to me pulling down my shirt in front of her. With this next baby, I'll be covering when feeding when she's over as well. I will nurse freely in front of my 3 year old son, however - I don't attempt to cover myself if I'm changing, showering, etc, when he's around. He knows what "boobies" are, and he remembers nursing, so there's that.

 

[nmpjcp2015]

I think it definitely makes a difference what your relationship is like and whether they live with you full time. My SD lives with us full time. From these responses it seems like there is not a straight answer. Do what feels comfortable to you.

 

[Embo78]

My three year old is mesmerised by my feeding and finds it highly amusing when Benjamin pulls off in the middle of a letdown! He calls me water gun boobies
It's very important for me to show my son that this is what boobs are for!

 

[winterbabies3]

Lol. Embo my 2 year old is very amused by it too. Every time she cries he runs over and lifts up my shirt like come on mom gotta feed the baby. The other day my mom was holding her and she started crying well ds thought she could feed him too

 

[Snoopee]

I breastfeed in front of my 3 year old and all her friends. They are all fascinated. As a matter of fact my DD and one of her friends pretend to be me and feed their dolls in the same way. They just stick them up there tops and give their babies "booley milk!" We all think it's hilarious but it actually makes me quite proud that my daughter will grow up knowing that it's natural and nothing to be embarrassed about. I've also fed in front of older children and never had anyone bat an eyelid.