uhh... breastfeeding an 8 year old??

[Dragonfly]

its not to old though, i started co sleeping as it was easier for breastfeeding so that was that bit done. Only still learning about all of it myself.

 

[wtt :)]

Even though this debate is not about attachment parenting, i think AP is a good thing to do and am not against it at all. I doubt it has anything to do with breastfeeding an 8 year old though. What i was talking about when i mentioned the word "Attachment" was a "clingy mom" and nothing else.

 

[wtt :)]

I've gotten so many dirty looks feeding my daughter that it's not even funny. I don't know about california's BFing stats because I'm not from here and have only been here since April. I can say I've gotten more dirty looks about feeding my daughter here than I have in any other state that I've lived. Everyone thinks california is so fast forward with thinking and free spirited but I can tell you right now I've never met more rude, self important people in my life. I've seen maybe 2 other women breastfeeding in public. But I've seen many many women holding up bottles and mixing formula while out and about. I am the only one in my family that has breastfed. All my friends that have had babies have formula fed as well.

Good job on breastfeeding even though you get funny looks, etc.
Personally, i would probably feel weird mixing formula while i'm out and about. Breast feeding is definitely more practical, amongst many other benefits.

 

[Dragonfly]

https://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/T130500.asp

if anyone wants to see things in a different light..

Even though this debate is not about attachment parenting, i think AP is a good thing to do and am not against it at all. I doubt it has anything to do with breastfeeding an 8 year old though. What i was talking about when i mentioned the word "Attachment" was a "clingy mom" and nothing else.

I Know, sorry we where waffling away there about it.

 

[Blah11]

its not to old though, i started co sleeping as it was easier for breastfeeding so that was that bit done. Only still learning about all of it myself.

We did cosleep until she was 3 or 4 months old then she started not being able to settle in our bed cos she needed her own space

 

[JellyBeann]

I've been looked at funny and questioned for still going at 8 months and wanting to go to 2, but past 2 is my wierd age, it's up to the mum and child how long they BF for...leave them alone!

 

[rainbows_x]

Before I had Ava I decided that if breastfeeding went well I would only do it until about 18 months, as that felt the right age to stop personally.

I find it really odd that she s still feeding off the breast at 8 years old, even expressing at 8 years would be strange to me x

 

[smokey]

alright well i guess families can do whatever they want and if they lived in the middle of nowhere, outbacks or wherever, i wouldn't say a word about it but i just think 8 is too old. i would have been embarrassed had my mom shown up with her breast at school, for instance. I may be ignorant but that's image that came to mind.

Shown up with her breast at school? Sorry, this made me giggle!!

Also, some kids nowadays start having boyfriends at that age. I wonder what they would say to that.

Im sorry but if a parent is letting a little girl have a boyfriend at 8 years old then the fact she is breastfeeding is the least of my concerns about her parenting skills.

And I mean proper boyfriend not just a friend that is a boy and you think "awww how cute its like hes her boyfriend"

 

[ShanandBoc]

I think its a little weird, but thats just my opinion. For me, 2 years onwards i wouldnt BF anymore.

She would be one healthy little girl tho

 

[OmarsMum]

I think it's werd to BF beyond 2 yrs in my opinion. Guidelines r 2 yrs. My culture & religion encourage BFing upto 2 yrs. My family are pro bfing, but when my aunt BF her son until he was 6 yrs old, everyone thought it was weird. He's 15 yrs now but he still crave for the boobie & sometimes he lies down next to his mommy & he keeps his hand on her boobies, which is too much I guess.

 

[Dragonfly]

Its a minimum of two years I read. I wouldnt go up to 8 though. I wouldnt go to 5 either, I think 3 for me defo before he starts school. I think I have done pretty well getting to where I am pregnant with another so I dont want it to go on years and years even though I enjoy it. Next baby gets 2 years min also.

 

[JASMAK]

OK, never read all the threads...sorry, but I have a 7 year old son. Is it right for a BOY to breastfeed at that age still? Sorry...I am for BFing too. BF my son until he was 20mths, my daughter until she was 19mths, but after 2 (3 even, but IMO that is pushing it). There is no health benefits. These kids may be homeschooled, I don't know...but, I would imagine if they went to public school and their friends caught wind of this (nice for mom to put it on national television) that these girls would be made fun of. I found it interesting, for sure...but almost like a human experiment...what would a child say if she still BF type thing. I can see in a third world country where there is no food, but to me...it just seems wrong. Like I said, I wouldn't want my 7 year old son pulling up my shirt and sucking on my boobs.

 

[Blue_bumpkin]

OK, never read all the threads...sorry, but I have a 7 year old son. Is it right for a BOY to breastfeed at that age still? Sorry...I am for BFing too. BF my son until he was 20mths, my daughter until she was 19mths, but after 2 (3 even, but IMO that is pushing it). There is no health benefits. These kids may be homeschooled, I don't know...but, I would imagine if they went to public school and their friends caught wind of this (nice for mom to put it on national television) that these girls would be made fun of. I found it interesting, for sure...but almost like a human experiment...what would a child say if she still BF type thing. I can see in a third world country where there is no food, but to me...it just seems wrong. Like I said, I wouldn't want my 7 year old son pulling up my shirt and sucking on my boobs.

why would it make a difference if the child was a boy? a child's a child.

when ppl imply a degree of sexualisation to bfing it actually sickens me, even if the implication is unintended. would it be less appropriate to feed a boy at this age? If so id like to know why?

fair enough you dnt agree with it and it isnt for you but implying ppl's opinions would change based on the sex of the child is imo wrong.

 

[JASMAK]

My son has learned through school, through his friends, that boobies are "privates". He doesn't know about sex yet, but do you think a 7 year old boy knows nothing?! Trust me, as a mother of a 7 year old boy...I know! My son sees me breastfeed, and he thinks nothing of it, but I don't want him sucking on my boob. And, if his sister (who is 5) has her shirt off, they giggle. To them, it is privates. Do I see BFIng as sexual...no. I breastfeed, and have breastfed all my babies. A seven year old is not a baby. A seven year old is a child. If you want your child to have breastmilk, put it in a cup. It's the act of sucking a breast at that age. One word: innapropriate. I am not trying to offend, I am saying my opinion, as we are all entitled. Try not to take it personally. When you have a 7 year old son, you may feel the same way. LOL!

 

[Eve]

I think it's up to the mother and child how long they continue to breastfeed. I personally wouldn't go to 8 years old, but if my LO wants boob past two, I don't think I would have a problem with that. I plan to hopefully express once "too old" for boob though, as the benefits don't ever stop IMO... not saying I'm going to pump forever either lol. [/I]

 

[Rach27]

From kellymom.com:

breastfeeding continues to be a valuable source of nutrition and disease protection for as long as breastfeeding continues.

Scientific research by Katherine A. Dettwyler, PhD shows that 2.5 to 7.0 years of nursing is what our children have been designed to expect (Dettwyler 1995)

Personally, I'm not sure how long we'll continue - as long as he needs it I guess. Although I believe 8 years is too old, I'm irritated by the fact we are always at the mercy of what society deems 'acceptable' rather than being freely able to do what might actually be best for the child.

 

[ShanandBoc]

I think if the child can remember it when he or she is older, then its prob too old

 

[Dragonfly]

Never mind 8 some dont even think 2 is ok. I seen poeple saying more than 6 months was gross. I go for as long as my son wants to, only in my head this will be before he starts school thats for sure,. I think i will have done excellent by that stage having two. But i dont care if this woman goes till 8 its up to her same way as i hope others wouldnt care my son is 20 month but some do, even though I dont care how they feed theirs you cant please everyone someone always has an opinion they want others to know and they are entitled to it dosnt meant I have to listen.

 

[ShanandBoc]

^ true DF completely a personal decision! I personally just couldnt see myself doing it after 2 years of age! Good for those who do tho, who i am or anyone to say its wrong?

 

[Dragonfly]

I remember saying I wouldnt do it after 6 months when I started.