uhh... breastfeeding an 8 year old??

[Dopeyjopey]

The girl in the video is actually 7, not 8.

 

[Marzipan_girl]

I agree with Amy....I actually believe what the mother is doing is a form of psychological abuse...

 

[amygwen]

Thank you ^^^

 

[Dopeyjopey]

Abuse is a very strong word to use because a mum carries out her child's wishes to continue feeding at what age do you think it changes from being a loving mother who selflessly BF's her child to a psychological child abuser who is satisfying her own needs?

 

[ShanandBoc]

The childs wishes? The child doesnt know any better / different. Thats why a child needs a 'parent'.

Do we give anything to our children because its what they wish? No. As a parent it is up to us to make certain decisions for their own benefit. And i believe this is one of them!

 

[amygwen]

^^^ Well said!

 

[Dopeyjopey]

I remember being 7 and i definitely knew what i did and didn't want by then. Maybe I was just more headstrong than most.

I'm just trying to say that abuse is a strong word to throw around.

 

[ShanandBoc]

You still relied on your parents to make certain decisions for you and looked up to them no doubt.

This little girl doesnt know any different.

 

[Dragonfly]

I think everyone is going around in circles in here and will have to agree to disagree.

 

[Dopeyjopey]

You still relied on your parents to make certain decisions for you and looked up to them no doubt.

This little girl doesnt know any different.

Of course she knows different. She has an older sister who has already self-weaned for a start

Personally i think at her age it would be far more psychogically damaging to refuse her the breast than to just carry on until she's ready to stop. In the full version of the documentary it actually mentions that the girl was losing her suck. As milk teeth are lost it changes the shape of the mouth, children lose their suck so have to wean naturally. I really don't see how it is abuse when nature obviously intented it to go on longer than is the 'social norm'. To see something so precious, bonding and loving called abuse makes me feel sick to be honest.

 

[ShanandBoc]

I never said it was abuse.

If she was weaned as a toddler she wouldnt have to be weaned at 8. She doesnt know any different cause to her feeding off her mums breast at 8 is normal.

 

[Dopeyjopey]

I know you didn't say it - was just pointing out that's what i was heavily objecting to. As for weaning when she was a toddler, it is only because of the norms of society that weaning is enforced by mothers. I don't see why someone should be slated for letting a child continue until they are ready to stop. They are her children, they are obviously a loving family, so surely it is completely up to her to choose how she brings them up?

 

[cherryglitter]

I watched the documentary and the girl did actually start to lose her ability to suck! So I guess it was natures away of telling her to 'move on' in a sense?! I guess.
Does anyone know the eldest age recorded that a child has been breastfed to?! Just curious. x

 

[ShanandBoc]

I know you didn't say it - was just pointing out that's what i was heavily objecting to. As for weaning when she was a toddler, it is only because of the norms of society that weaning is enforced by mothers. I don't see why someone should be slated for letting a child continue until they are ready to stop. They are her children, they are obviously a loving family, so surely it is completely up to her to choose how she brings them up?

Of course its up to her. Doesnt mean everyone has to agree with it tho

 

[ShanandBoc]

Does anyone know the eldest age recorded that a child has been breastfed to?! Just curious. x

Id be interested to know this to

 

[Dopeyjopey]

Thanks cherry - that's what i'm getting at. I bet she didn't make it to 8 years old before she stopped naturally!

 

[cherryglitter]

Thanks cherry - that's what i'm getting at. I bet she didn't make it to 8 years old before she stopped naturally!

I wouldn't like to think so, imagine those teeth on your nipples though. Fair play to that woman lol! She must have nipples of steel!

Breastfeeding is natural and the little girl will technically self-wean, as nature intended

 

[Dopeyjopey]

I know we don't all have to agree Shanandboc just still don't think anyone has the right to call it abuse!

The eldest is at least 9. Let me see what i can find.

 

[cherryglitter]

Oh, and I only think there would be something really wrong with it if that little girl did NOT want to breastfeed and the mother was forcing her too. As long as the girl is comfortable and not finding it difficult or intrusive, then carry on in my eyes.

 

[ShanandBoc]

I wouldnt label it abuse either. But i do worry about long term damage to the child. No one knows for sure its simply an opinion. I just dont think its in the best intrests of the little girl thats all