How old is too old?

[Miss MellyG]

after searching you tube for this mornings GMTV breastfeeding debate (I couldnt find it btw) I came across this..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNBzFOPrbD0

I dont want a debate or anything like that. I am breastfeeding Charlie, he is nearly 9 months old but this video has made me think that if he doesnt wean himself off the boob then do I have a cut off point?

Honestly... I'm not sure. In the video is an older child feeding which doesnt have an affect on me at all. It is still completely natural, but surely there has to be a cut off?

I would love to breast feed him until he goes to school.. or do I? I really dont know when that time is.

 

[Panda_Ally]

Ummm I think 6 years old is too old and i think thats about the mother not wanting to stop not the child. I support extended feeding but past 2 yrs+ IMO it gets to be more about what the mother wants than the baby needs. just my opinion tho.

 

[Brockie]

ok i think that anywhere up to 2 years old is good. I think after that its not vital for the childs health and wellbeing but also im not convinced it would aid their independence and interaction with other kids? 6 years old is too old and i certainly wouldn't want to be bfeeding Freddie till he was 6?! I do think that perhaps mums who bfeed children of say 6 years old are doing it more for the comfort it gives them and not their child.

I LOVE BFEEDING! and would miss it terribly if it stopped now but I think its something you share with your baby and after 2 they are starting to grow up more, potty trained etc.

just my PO!

 

[anothersquish]

I have nothing against anyone who breastfeeds any age child for as long as they want too as long as that is not having a negative psychological and social affect on the child. However I would not BF my own children up to nursery or school age (this is about 3 1/2 years old or 4 1/2 years old) my opinion is that it would not be fair on the child to combine weaning with going to nursery or school, I would want them to be confidently independant beforehand.

Apparently children naturally loose thier ability to suck on a breast as they grow older, Im informed this is normally about 6 or 7 years old. I imagine it was perfectly normal to breastfeed children to this age at one point and its not that often you see a child over 12 months BFing now.

 

[mommyof3co]

I can't watch the vid as my internet is acting stupid. But I don't think there is an age that is too old for a general "guideline" I think ti all varies on the child and mother. I think my personal cut off age would be 3-4 because I have kids of that age and can't imagine still nursing because they are just too independent, but it might be different if I had been breastfeeding the entire time up to that age. I think for a child of any age breastmilk offers benefits, not only up until 2 though.

 

[Mervs Mum]

I think for girls you should be stopping before they start Uni and boys before their wedding night.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinions obviously but I think it's none of anyone's business. Most kids self wean before school age.

 

[mommyof3co]

LMAO MM...I have to say I agree! haha

 

[Panda_Ally]

lisa!!

 

[magicvw]

I think for girls you should be stopping before they start Uni and boys before their wedding night.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinions obviously but I think it's none of anyone's business. Most kids self wean before school age.

Well said!

 

[JayleighAnn]

I don't think any age is too old

I'll stop when I feel I'm ready, I'm aiming for at least 12 months, if it goes on for longer, then so be it.

 

[Hevz]

Ummm I think 6 years old is too old and i think thats about the mother not wanting to stop not the child. I support extended feeding but past 2 yrs+ IMO it gets to be more about what the mother wants than the baby needs. just my opinion tho.

I'm very passionate about breastfeeding but agree totally with what you have said. I really feel it's the Mum's needs being fed....not the child after about 2 years, I can imagine it being very difficult to stop. But....each to their own, 6 is pretty extreme and in no way shape or form can I agree that it's right