I see so many responses about nursing toddlers that include words like "creepy", "sickening", "abusive". What exactly is so offensive about caring for a child in the natural way? Keep in mind that the worldwide average for weaning from the breast is 4.2 years. Do you agree that Western culture is in the dark when it comes to natural parenting? I think it's a little gross to see kids carrying around bottles with festering formula in it....think of all the bacteria that are feasting on that before the little one does!!!
2006-09-01 08:31:56 · 33 answers · asked by all_my_armour_falling_down 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
to naravyn: I don't know about you, but I don't have time to pump constantly. Once the milk is out of the "tap" it can grow bacteria sitting out in a cup all day too, just not as quickly as formula.
2006-09-01 08:40:23 · update #1
Hello people! There is more to breastfeeding than eating. Eating table food does not mean that a child is ready to be weaned. Responses like that are clearly from people who know nothing about breastfeeding.
2006-09-01 08:41:12 · update #2
Babies dont wake up on the day of their first birthday and suddenly deserve the things that comforted them to be ripped away no matter if it's a breast,bottle,blanket or binkie (i call it a NUK but i had a "b" thing going there for a second). Weaning takes time and most babies nurse only a handfull of times a day when they are toddlers and it's not there main source of nutrition as most are eating meals with family and getting plenty of food but breastmilk is still a healthy advantage to a growing toddler.Pumping into a cup is an option but why bother when you can lift your shirt in a second and look no dirty dishes...and baby isnt sipping here and there on a cup which is proven to cause tooth decay as opposed to just getting down to buisness,drinking and going back to play.its the repeated bathing of the teeth that has the highest risk.Most women who breastfeed toddlers are as discreet as possible and the only way you know what they are doing is because your a busy body who cant mind your own buissness.It is also a huge myth that the only reason other countries practice extended breastfeeding is because they cant give their babies other food...have you ever though that maybe it's because they are smarter than we are over here in titty obsessed America and people are raised to nurture the young the best way your body will allow and view breasts and nipples as nothing more than what they are...body parts with a function just like eyes,lips or feet. Underdeveloped countries my ***....we have become the underdeveloped county because we have a huge amount of ignorant people walking our streets and raising their children up to be ignorant also so they gasp in horror at a breastfeeding two year old but dont blink an eye when they hear of murder on the news.
2006-09-01 16:38:00 · answer #1 · answered by alecnaaron 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Wow, what a very telling and disturbing thread.
It's clear the flat-out ignorance about breastfeeding is still very pervasive.
I didn't see anybody giving a "REASON" why it is gross, sick, disturbed, etc. My guess is that this is because the "Ewwww" statements are a knee-jerk reaction and if they were to be examined logically they would fall apart like a house of cards.
Myth: It has no benefit past age 1.
Fact: Children who are weaned before age two are at greater risk nutritionally and for certain illnesses (A.A.P. statement, W.H.O. also supports this)
Myth: It's mostly for the mother past a "certain point."
Fact: It is impossible to force a child to breastfeed who has lost interest.
Myth: Once they're on table foods, they should not breastfeed anymore.
Fact: Most doctors recommend feeding toddlers milk. Cow milk does not provide nutrition for human offspring that is superior to the nutrition provided by human milk.
Do you know that relatively recently in the "grand scale of things" relationships between people of different races were regarded as "disgusting, unnatural, gross, sick" and generally not socially accepted? Even though it is the most natural thing in the world that two humans who love each other and want a family together should have that right, even still some backward individuals feel "disgusted" by seeing a couple of mixed race. I know, I have some friends, the wife is black, the husband is white, and I know for a fact their relationship was deemed "offensive" by someone else I know (who is NOT my friend).
I hope someday ignorance, fear, and prejudice about breastfeeding can be overcome, just as racial ignorance is starting to decline from what it used to be.
2006-09-01 12:44:59 · answer #2 · answered by Kathryn A 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why do you make the assumption that all people can breastfeed. You speak of formula as if it is kryptonite. I was not able to breastfeed(only got to for about 2 weeks), so I had no choice, other than having my child starve. I personally could not imagine breastfeeding a 3 year old or more. I had a friend who breastfed hers until he was over two, and he would raise her shirt up in public. I think breastfeeding is a beautiful thing, but at some point, it is enough. Kids don't turn out smarter, hence my friend's son who is a trouble maker and not all that much smarter than kids his age. So, with that said, I think that 2 years old should be the cut-off. Any longer than that, it is just CREEPY!!! And as far as a bond.....a mother who feeds her baby formula, can have just s much a bond as a mother who breastfeeds. That would be no different than your hubby/bf latching on in public. Have a most beautiful day! :)
2006-09-01 10:34:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I agree with you about the Western culture being in the dark about natural parenting. There is absolutely nothing wrong with breastfeeding your toddler as long as you feel comfortable with it. As far as bacteria "feasting" on the formula, my baby's bottles get washed and dryed in a dishwasher, the water I use is either bottled, or boiled to kill any bacteria, and I don't let her drink after it has been out more than an hour.
2006-09-01 08:59:49 · answer #4 · answered by dolphins_chic_69 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I agree that breast milk is best for a child, but I believe what the people are referring to is the fact that the child still gets it directly from the tap so to speak. If a toddler is still drinking breast milk, what is wrong with giving it to them in a cup? Its a little inappropriate in most people's eyes for a child to be nursing from their mother at such an age. Yes our culture is a little backward when it comes to natural parenting, but we also have different views on things. I believe breast milk is fine for the child as long as the mother wants to do it, but I think that it should be pumped out and provided in a cup once the child becomes old enough to feed themselves.
EDIT FOR THE ASKER: I agree that it can go bad sitting in a cup all day, but if the child can't drink a full cup, then don't give them a full cup. Breast milk can be frozen for quite awhile, especially in a deep freezer. I don't believe any child should be carrying around a cup or a bottle full of milk all day, if the child is still thirsty after they drink the amount given to them, then they should be given water. Water doesn't get bad in only a few hours, and it can be quite easily changed. I understand that a person doesn't have time to pump all day, but if you want a child to be breastfed until the worldwide average age, then that would be the logical way to do it since in our country most mothers are working or the children are in daycare part of the time. I do agree with some people who say its not appropriate for a toddler to walk up to the mother and pull out her breast to feed. At home its the family's choice, but in public, one should respect other people.
2006-09-01 08:37:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
I think people are grossed out by toddler breastfeeding because they don't understand the benefits of extended breastfeeding. Also, breasts are seen as a "sexual objects" in the American society, so I can totally understand why some people think it is "gross" or "creepy." It is only through education and tolerance that we will be able change our society.
Personally, I breastfed (BF) my son until just past his 3rd birthday and I do not regret it. And when I say he BF until 3 years old, I do not mean that it was his only form of nurishment. He was only nursing once per day (at bedtime) at the very end.
2006-09-02 12:09:10 · answer #6 · answered by birdlover515 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think that it is great that you are still breastfeeding. I wasnt able to at all due to illness and medication during and after my daughter was born. I wish I could have. It is a natural and wonderful thing for a mother and child to bond over. Yes in other parts of the world children are breastfed until well after the first year. As long as you want to continue the process I say go for it and ignore the comments or questions. Choosing how to nurture and feed your child is YOUR decision and yours alone. Do what feels right and natural to you. Good Luck!
2006-09-01 13:11:43 · answer #7 · answered by brandy 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have an issue when a child walks up to his/her mother and asks, in plain language, for the breast. At that point, it's not for any nutritional value for the child, it's an attachment issue for the mother.
My daughter was bottle fed and was weaned off by 1 year. She doesn't drink dairy, she has soy milk and we don't let her carry around the same cup (or bottle when she still had one) filled with the same liquid all day. We regularly clean and change the liquid and or cup. It isn't any grosser than the same breast sitting in a bra sweating all day...
2006-09-01 09:04:45 · answer #8 · answered by siobhann1013 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I would first like to point out: you are doing the exact thing you dislike by calling formula fed children "gross." I agree with you to an extent. My son is formula fed but will be off the bottle at a year. He is starting on a sippy cup now. I think the worldwide average is a little off. I'm sure the people in India wish they could feed their children with something other then breast milk but that's all they have. Therefore it isn't relevant to the discussion. The western world is the one in which we live...if you don't like it...move! I would never say what another parent is doing is wrong...but I disagree in breastfeeding (or formula feeding) children past the age of one. There are so many sources of nutrition than that. I will never look down on another parent for doing things differently but...I can disagree with it.
IF THERE IS SOMETHING MORE TO BREASTFEEDING THAN FEEDING...WHY ARE YOU STILL DOING IT??? WHY DO YOU NEED TO BREASTFEED JUST TO BOND WITH YOUR CHILD? THIS IS SOUNDING REALLY CRAZY. sorry about all caps...I just wanted to get your attention to my question.
2006-09-01 08:39:29 · answer #9 · answered by .vato. 6 · 4⤊ 3⤋
People have the idea that only small children nurse. There really isn't anything wrong with it, but people are a little tight about women breastfeeding in general. I kinda agree with you on the bottle scenario, but regardless of the child's age, I don't want to see a mother with her breast exposed in public ever.
2006-09-01 08:37:06 · answer #10 · answered by jagerchick80 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋