My mother in law is telling me to stop brestfeeding my 3yr old girl because it can give me cancer and that my milk isn't good for her anymore
2006-10-02 01:35:07 · 22 answers · asked by Sisi 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
She does drink cow's milk. She just wants mommy just to go to sleep. 2 times a day. But she loves it, and I like 2 B with my baby too, sing her a song or read her a book while she's falling asleep.
Do you really think I have 2 stop?
2006-10-02 02:29:57 · update #1
NO! Where in the world did she hear that?!
It's the absolute OPPOSITE!
Breastfeeding LESSENS your chances of cancer. Breastfeeding LESSENS your daughter's chances of getting cancer. The LONGER you breastfeed, the LOWER your chances of getting cancer!
Does she think your milk turns to water at a certain age? Of course breastfeeding is still good for your 3 year old. She still gets nutrients and antibodies from you. The same good stuff she got as a baby.....just different quantities.
Share the first Kellymom link below with her so maybe she'll understand some of the benefits of nursing an older child. The section on "mothers" on that page lists MANY cancers that have a DECREASED risk because of breastfeeding.
The second link has references reguarding the DECREASED chances of cancer.
The third link is from ACS and states, "Breast-feeding and pregnancy: Some studies have shown that breast-feeding slightly lowers breast cancer risk, especially if the breast-feeding lasts 1½ to 2 years. This could be because breast-feeding lowers a woman’s total number of menstrual periods, as does pregnancy. One study found that having more children and breast-feeding longer could reduce the risk of breast cancer by half."
The Promom link says, "Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of breast cancer
Many studies have shown that women who breastfeed have lower risks of developing breast cancer. Recently, data from 47 studies in 30 countries was re-examined. The study group concluded that the incidence of breast cancer in developed countries could be reduced by more than half if women had the number of births and lifetime duration of breastfeeding that have been common in developing countries until recently. According to the analysis, breastfeeding could account for almost two-thirds of this estimated reduction in breast cancer incidence."
And also, "Formula feeding increases baby girls' risk of developing breast cancer in later life
Women who were formula-fed as infants have higher rates of breast cancer as adults. For both premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer, women who were breastfed as children, even if only for a short time, had a 25% lower risk of developing breast cancer than women who were bottle-fed as infants."
And...."Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of developing ovarian cancer
Based on the research, breastfeeding for a total of 12 to 24 months can reduce your risk of ovarian cancer by about one-third."
And also....."Not breastfeeding increases mother's risk of developing endometrial cancer
A World Health Organization study has shown that the longer a woman breastfeeds, the less likely she is to get endometrial cancer."
And reguarding childhood cancers....."Formula fed babies have a higher risk of developing certain childhood cancers
In a study done by researchers at the University of Minnesota it was found that babies who were breast fed for at least one month had a 21% less chance of getting leukemia than formula fed babies. The risk was 30% for children breast fed for 6 months. "
The odds are pretty good that she just simply doesn't understand your choice to nurse this long and is concerned about what is best for you and your child. Let her know that it *IS* normal and healthy for you to continue nursing as long as you and your daughter are both happy doing so. You might share with her......
The AAP recommends nursing *at least* 12 months and thereafter as long as mutually desired.
The WHO and UNICEF recommend nursing *at least* 2 years and thereafter as long as mutually desired.
The world-wide average age of weaning is 4.2 years.
The natural age of human weaning falls between 2.5 and 7 years of age according to anthropologist Kathryn Dettwyler.
AND....Michael Jordan's mom nursed him until he was three years old. I bet she'll agree he turned out pretty well.
My oldest nursed until he was 3 years and 5 mos old. My middle child weaned at about 22 months of age. My youngest is almost 2 years 3 years and 8 months old and still nursing. All are healthy and well adjusted little children. With a family history of breast cancer, I was very interested in hearing about the reduced rates of cancer for myself AND my daughers.
2006-10-02 01:38:59 · answer #1 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
WHAT!??! I've never heard that in my life. My mom breastfed 9 kids and didn't develop breast cancer. Maybe it is the fact that your child is 3, able to hold a cup and can talk that bothers her. She just doesn't see the need for you doing it for so long. I stopped with mine as soon as they were able to hold a cup and eat solid food, the longest one was about 13 months because she cut teeth later. I know in a lot of 3rd world countries moms do it for much longer to help their kids get more nutrition
2006-10-02 01:41:13 · answer #2 · answered by Elizabeth L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your mother-in-law wasn't breastfed is she? Because if she had been she'd have a higher IQ (studies show breastfed children have higher IQ's)... and breastfeeding lessens a person's chances of CANCER, diabetes, obesity and that's just off the top of my head.
Please don't listen to anyone that says it's unhealthy to nurse your 3-year-old... There's nothing abnormal about nursing long term, it's just better longer!
2006-10-02 08:17:04 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is total crap. There has been research supporting extended breastfeeding which helps prevent against cancers.
Your milk is just fine but it is probably not what your daughter craves from you nutritionally more emotionally.
Mother in laws need to get their noses out of your business.
Well done for carrying on in a world that is so against extended breastfeeding.
2006-10-02 01:41:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Research shows that long term breastfeeding reduces your chances of breast cancer. Your mother in law is either mistaken or a little crazy :)
2006-10-02 02:37:48 · answer #5 · answered by PLDFK 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. In most societies 3 is a bit long for breast feeding, is it possible she meant that now your daughter is capable of digesting cows milk? Its certainly your decision as to when to wean her.
2006-10-02 02:05:15 · answer #6 · answered by justa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First rule of thumb is to NEVER listen to ur Mother in law. Heck, no it doesn't cause cancer. It infact lowers ur chance of cancer. Maybe that is just her way of telling you to stop because she feels ue child is to old?
2006-10-02 01:52:32 · answer #7 · answered by LeeLynn 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a lie. The truth is that the longer you breastfeed, the chances you will get breast cancer are slimmer. Check out this site:
http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_breast_cancer.html
2006-10-02 01:44:29 · answer #8 · answered by Miss America 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your MIL is a moron. Breastfeeding helps to PREVENT breast cancer.
She just thinks it's weird and is trying to deter you. My MIL started that crap when my baby was 6 months old.
2006-10-02 04:00:10 · answer #9 · answered by Jessie P 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No that is not true. But I heard it's best to stop breastfeeding at 2 years old because the milk isn't good for the child anymore. That's probably why she told you, so you would ween your child.
2006-10-02 01:43:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Ignore her! You know what is best for your daughter. Breastfeeding is healthy for both of you. Maybe she is jealous of the strong bond you've built with your child, and this is her way of casting doubt on your decisions. Just say, "OK, thanks for the advice", and then do what you want!!!
2006-10-02 01:45:52 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋