My daughter who is four and in K4 goes to school with a child who is the same age and her mother is still breastfeeding her. She does it right there is front of everyone at school functions. This women has like 8 kids and is unmarried. When I first saw her doing it I couldn't believe it, but then I saw her take her off and her boob was hanging out. And now she does it all the time, I can't believe the teachers haven't reported her or something. Or maybe I am the only one who thinks this is wrong. What are your thoughts?
2006-10-02 04:51:46 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I wanted to add that I am one of the biggest breastfeeding support and did and will do it anywhere my baby is hungry. What I was saying is I am surprised that the teachers didn't report her for still breastfeeding a four year old.
2006-10-02 05:05:26 · update #1
Ok I wasen't saying the unmarried with 8 kids to judge her I was just stating that because maybe she is using this for some emotional closeness to someone since she doesn't have a husband.
2006-10-02 05:13:38 · update #2
Breastmilk is best for the baby...but by Age 4...this kid should be off breastmilk...especially feeding the child in public like that. I understand pumping and giving it to them in a glass...
but I do think that is wrong. it reminds me of an episode on desparate housewifes were the woman was breasfeeding a 5 yrs old just so she wont need to go to the gym and execise..
2006-10-02 04:57:42 · answer #1 · answered by Arsh S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are not the first to think it's wrong, nor will you be the last - but because some people think it's wrong, doesn't make it so.
It's very unusual to see a mom of a 4yo nursling nursing in public in the way you describe - either a 4yo prefers privacy or the mom has sense and skill enough to not let it all hand out.
But is it the nursing 4yo that bothers you, or the boobs hanging out? Why wouldn't a 4yo still nurse, if mom and baby are still interested and comfortable with it. What is it that makes it wrong? What would be "reportable"? What's the offense? Mothering?
That they are capable of drinking cows milk? Well, I think it's rather silly to think that the milk from another species is somehow more appropriate at any age.
Would it be because it's somehow sexual with a 4yo? Well, I still wipe my 6yo's butt and I have yet to encounter anyone who would question that.
Most 4yos are not nursing, and somehow that makes it unusual. And we don't understand unusual. But this particular unusual is created by society and there's no basis for not nursing a 4yo other than most people don't do it. There's people who feel that nursing a 6 month old is too long.
And there's alot more people nursing 4yos than you might think. Most nurse in private.
My daughter nursed until she was four and a half. The last time she nursed in public was when she was two and a half, when she fell and hurt herself. The remainder of her nursings were at home just before bed or when she just got up. She was too busy to nurse while she was at school.
And FTR, she weaned all by herself. It's a myth that they'll nurse until they are adults if you let them. I don't know why people are so anxious for babies to become little adults. Just let them grow up.
2006-10-02 12:49:17 · answer #2 · answered by my_sunshine_doll 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think that is way too old to be breastfeeding. But as far as her breastfeeding at the school she has every right to! No one can "report" her. There is a law that protects our rights to breastfeed in public! It is not indecent exposure, it is a wonderful beautiful way of nurturing.
Breastfeeding and the law
Basically breastfeeding in public IS legal in the United States, though sometimes people simply don't know it and therefore might complain about it. This means you can nurse your baby anywhere that you are allowed to be with the baby. About 20 states have additionally passed a law that explicitly states that fact. Note: These laws exist to clarify the legality of breastfeeding. If a state does not have such a clarifying law, breastfeeding in public is still legal. See A Current Summary of Breastfeeding Legislation in the U.S. , or 50 States Summary of Breastfeeding Laws for more details.
If someone seems to be bothered by you nursing, or asks you to leave, you can kindly remind the person that breastfeeding is legal, normal and the best nutrition for the baby, or other facts about breastfeeding.
If you have had problems with public breastfeeding and have been asked to leave malls, pools, restaurants, etc., or to go to restroom to nurse, or if you have had problems at workplace, report it to the National Alliance of Breastfeeding Advocacy (NABA).
2006-10-02 05:02:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Teachers or anyone for that matter can't do a damn thing if a mom decides to nurse her grown child. That's her choice. I don't think it's right that she's just hanging out there for all to see. I feel all moms could use a bit of common sense and respect when nursing in public. If the teacher isn't willing to say anything (because of fear of lawsuits or losing her position), you may want to approach the mother and politely ask her is she can cover herself or at least turn her back to others so that other children are not getting mixed messages. You can tell her that you support nursing... but are having a hard time explaining to your child what's going on. If she's got any sense of decency, she'll hear you and do something about it. But be prepared to be told to mind your own business. I've come across a few moms that feel that just because it's their constitutional right to nurse in public... that they'll exercise that right to the fullest and in the most vulgar show of display.
I'm a mom who nurses... and always kept it a private affair without starving my child or offending anyone.
2006-10-02 05:49:40 · answer #4 · answered by VixenMom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I do think four is to old to be still breast feedingl. As for the boob hanging out I can't fathom why anyone wouldn't care about showing off in a public place but since she's breastfeeding I'm pretty sure it's not illegal.
2006-10-02 04:55:44 · answer #5 · answered by on my way 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think a child 4 yrs old should be off the boob, what is this lady thinking?? whats wrong with milk in a cup? and we wonder why kids at such a young age are boob crazy, I'm surprised other kids don't tease the kid who is still breast fed, my husband knows a kid who was breast fed for a long time, this kid would pull a stool up to his mom and take her boob out himself and snack, when the whole family gets together this story of the poor kid does come up and they all still laugh at how it was,
2006-10-02 05:05:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some parents feel the need to breast feed even if their child is that age. I believe yes that maybe she shouldnt be doing it anymore, or maybe pumping and feeding her child if she still feels the need to provide breast milk for her 4 year old. I dont believe that there is anything that anyone can do about it tho. Its not against the law, and its not abuse or neglect, so I guess everyone will just have to deal with it in their own way. Maybe someone should say something to her, suggest pumping or quitting, maybe not.
2006-10-02 05:36:16 · answer #7 · answered by countrygirl66032 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on how you feel about breastfeeding. The La Leche group encourages breastfeeding until age 5. Why would the school report it though? What is she doing that's wrong?
2006-10-02 06:48:01 · answer #8 · answered by marirene74 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe breastfeeding a child at that age is wrong. What is wrong with her especially in front of everyone. The child already is curious as it is. There should be an age put on it when to quit. that is just ridiculous.
2006-10-02 04:57:44 · answer #9 · answered by DO IT! 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since we do not know the cultural upbringings of the person that we are judging we are not entitled to make snide remarks, women have been battling for the few liberties that we allow them on a worldly basis and even our own women participate in the dominance of the species,some cultures even today breast feed their young until they are eight years old,check out the national geographic culture research, maybe she knows more than most of us about what she is doing and is exercising her right as a woman,we should lay back and let her enjoy it.
2006-10-02 05:05:00 · answer #10 · answered by delmy d 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋