I am breastfeeding my 26 month old son. Does this mean that...?

Question

...I should be arrested for abuse and have him taken away by the state? My husband is a sick pedophile who likes to watch? And my pediatrician who has encouraged me should be sued for malpractice?

This is in response to someone's comment to another breastfeeding question stating that breastfeeding beyond 24 months is sexual abuse and other comments that husbands who support it are depraved.
To clarify our habits - My son eats 3 full meals per day; two healthy snacks per day and drinks 2% milk. He is breastfed at night and occationally during the day on demand.

Thank you Jordan B for your support - but just a comment here. The reason that I am still breastfeeding my son is simply just because I don't know any reason good enough to convice me to stop just yet. It isn't about control or keeping him a baby - but I do have the added benefit of knowing that he is well nourished on his picky eating days.
Alone1with3 - Thank you, too for your support and I also have to add that I am limiting his day feedings due to his aggressive demands. I haven't pumped since he was 5 months old and refused the bottle. Funny, breastfeeding never made me feel like a cow but pumping did.

Thank you for all your support and opinions (even the ones i don't agree with). But where are the ones who really think these things about us? I know you're out there because you say these things when we are not asking for it. Now that I'm looking for the insults you are hiding.

IKNOWALL - what a bummer, I came across a question earlier today - well, I think I've found the girl for you!

Answer 1

yep.
Unless you stop it now..

Answer 2

I have breastfed all 3 of my children. Although, I have never done it longer then 17 months b/c I had to quit b/c I ended up pg with the next baby. I don't really think I "myself" would go past the age of 2. But, I really don't see 26 months being that big of a deal. I always wondered why we drink cow's milk to begin with if we have our own milk...u know? I mean, I don't expect people to be drinking it from the breast, but that's what pumps are for. If you feel uncomfortable about nursing your son at this age but still want to give him the nutrients and stuff from your milk you could always pump too.

Best of luck and congrats for hanging in this long! Not many mothers even try.

Answer 3

I dont' see how that's abuse. I personally wouldn't want to nurse that long, I weaned my daughter when she turned one. However I know that the medical community has said that it's okay to nurse up until age 2 now. I do think there comes a time when it becomes inappropriate. I guess you just need to evaluate why you are still nursing. I'm assuming you arent doing it all day long, as a child this age drinks milk from a cup. I know people who do it just for comfort, or before the child goes to bed at night. If my daughter had not wanted to be weaned I would have continued for these reasons. So no, it's definitely not abuse.

Answer 4

I breastfed my twins 9 months max. Only because my daughter bit me at 6 months and that was it for me. But I remember a really good friend of mine decided to breastfeed even up to two years. I was 18 at the time and didn't know much about the subject. I just knew I'd breastfeed mine. But anyway, for some strange reason (Americans are idiots when it comes to sex and the body), I thought that was a little too old to be breastfeeding. In my search to be a better mom I've learned along with the rest of our repressive society... that the longer you breastfeed the healthier your baby. So just ignore the ugly looks and sometimes ugly comments/ You're not doing it for strangers. You're doing it for your baby.

Answer 5

I would give him breastmilk as long as I possibly could. Better for the milk to come from you than a cow, who we don't know the medical history of. All those hormones are just plain dangerous. As a mattter of fact, why not give it to him during the day, too!?! I am a member of the medical community, and I commend your efforts. Children who breastfeed for longer periods are also less likely to be obese. There is something unsettling about the fact that we accept children drinking milk from diseased barnyard animals encrusted with manure, yet balk at a human receiving human milk!!! Breastfeed as long as you have milk, and pump and put some aside for during the day!!! You are doing the right thing. It is ridiculous when society could cause us to neglect to do the right and healthful thing for our children, yet it is where we are.

Answer 6

No, not abuse. No, not a pedophile. No, no malpractice. They've done studies that compare mammals and their nursing habits. I don't remember the specific numbers, but in this study they determined a percentage of life expectancy that most mammals nursed (it was simlar with most mammals) and then determined what a comparable age was for humans. It turned out to be around 5 or 6 years old. This would be similar to the nursing habits in underdeveloped countries. Our culture has just conditioned us to be hyper-sensitive to anything that could be misconstrued as sexual.

I'm proud of you for nursing for so long. I was forced to abruptly quit nursing my daughter halfway thru my weaning process at 14 months. :-( It was disappointing to not go on my schedule, but I did notice her fall asleep with less assistance once she figured out that she was not going to get that bedtime feeding...something to consider.

There a couple of things I'd wish you to consider on the subject. Is there a chance that you are still nursing because there is a little element of control in providing your toddler nourishment? Is it possible you are clinging to your child's infancy and trying to keep them a baby as long as possible? Is it possible that you see weaning as a big chore and just aren't ready for the extra work (tantrums etc) that will come once you "cut them off"? If you can answer yes to any of these questions then it really might be time to completely wean them.

Answer 7

You're doing a great job! Extended nursing is NORMAL and HEALTHY for mom and baby! Congratulations to you for making it this far! What a great start you've given your son.

My oldest nursed until he was 3.5 years. My middle weaned at about 22 months. My youngest is still nursing at 3.5 years.

The MINIMUM age the AAP recommends nursing is 12 months. The MINIMUM age the WHO and UNICEF recommend is 2 years. The worldwide average age of weaning is 4.2 years. The natural age of human weaning is between 2.5 and 7 years according to anthropologist Kathryn Detwyler. (And did you know Michael Jordan was nursed until he was 3 years old! His mom talks about it a lot. I think he turned out pretty well!)

All you other people who think extended nursing is weird or wrong need to pay attention - children this age are NOT EXCLUSIVELY nursing. They nurse IN ADDITION TO eating a normal diet of various solid foods and may even drink other kinds of milk. (HELLO....cow's milk is made for baby COWS not for humans!) Breastfeeding is just ONE PART of this child's diet, but it is still an IMPORTANT part. Would you suggest that "just one apple" isn't an important part of a child's diet? Of course not! And nursing is just one other part of a child's diet! (Along with the added benefit of IMMUNITIES on top of the NUTRITION and COMFORT that it provides!)

Answer 8

Well you should really try to stop ASAP because he is just getting to old. I think over the age of two is to old . You should try to pump and give him the milk in a cup. It might make it a little better for him and you. But most part you have to stay strong and not give in to him when he wants it because he knows you will. So just try to keep him busy and his mind off of it. And for your husband that is so sick good luck

Answer 9

If your husband is a sick pedophile, then don't let him around your baby! There's nothing wrong with breastfeeding, but in my opinion, I'd start weaning the child.

Answer 10

Your pediatrician recommended the Breastfeeding, because of how healthy it is for infants, over Formula. No, you should not be arrested. Yes, it's fine for him to watch, because you two are married and he has the right to watch, unless you advise him not to do so.

Answer 11

I don't think you need to be arrested or have him taken away by the state. 1st question: is he literally sucking on your breast. If so you really need to let that go. That's just to big to be still sucking your nipples. I can't see how your comfortable with that. Buy a breast pump and put it in his bottle or cup!!!!!