2006-10-25 06:10:00 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I watched a programme on tv a few weeks back and the eldest child to be breast fed was about 9 i think now im all for breast feeding but at this age its just wrong
2006-10-25 06:16:10 · answer #1 · answered by vicky s 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My daughter is two years old, and I breastfeed her in public, although depending on the situation I'm more or less discreet about it. Usually I'll seek out a quiet corner. Among our homeschooling group, I'll just do it wherever, because half the moms have done the same, and we're all used to it. I feel lucky that we live in a fairly progressive area, where people are not too freaked out by the idea of breasts being used in a non-sexual way.
I do remember when I was a new mom and another mom with a two-year-old breastfed in front of me, and I was surprised and thought it odd. Funny how perspective changes with experience!
ETA: human milk is not the same as cow milk. Lordy. It is SO different, and so much better for human children! There are also significant health benefits to continuing breastfeeding past the first year, not to mention emotional and developmental.
2006-10-25 14:26:41 · answer #2 · answered by blueviolet 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I weaned my older daughter on her third birthday, but I think we stopped nursing in public around 18 months or so. My second daughter self weaned at 2 years 8 months and again there really wasn't much need to nurse in public after about 18 months, not that I would have a problem doing it at an older age. It depends on the child and the situation. I can think of one time with my older daughter when she was about two she got hurt at the park and wanted to nurse because of the boo boo, she nursed for about 5 minutes and went right back to playing. So I guess the oldest I have nursed in public would be a two year old.
2006-10-26 14:39:49 · answer #3 · answered by Debbi S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My oldest child self-weaned at 3 yrs. 5 mos.
My middle child self-weaned at around 22 months.
My youngest child is still nursing at 3 years and almost 9 mos.
They rarely nursed in public after about 2.5 years.....depending on what exactly you mean by NIP. They've nursed at other family members homes and LLL meetings and such right up until they've weaned. I guess 3.5 years is probably the oldest I've NIP for "the general public."
EDITED TO ADD:
Breastmilk and cow's milk are NOTHING alike. Some people really need to educate themselves before they speak on this subject. Cow's milk is made for baby cow's. Breastmilk is made for baby humans. Cow's milk contains no immunities. Breastmilk is full of them. Breastmilk is a living, changing substance. It changes composition from day to day to meet the child's specific needs.
2006-10-25 13:15:29 · answer #4 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm currently nursing my 23-month-old daughter and 4-month-old son and nurse them both in public when either one signals the need. (Well, my daughter just asks. Sooooo easy. :-)
I first planned to nurse at least 1 year. Then I heard that the World Health Organization recommends 2 years for optimal immune system development. I looked it up and they actually recommend a *minimum* of 2 years.
That led to me learning about child-led weaning, which is what I'm following now. I believe children are individuals and have varying needs -- emotional, nutritional, immunological. One child might be done nursing at 3, another might need to nurse longer. I'll nurse -- and nurse in public (why wouldn't I?) -- until they're signal a readiness to wean.
(ETA: Human milk doesn't suddenly change its nutritional makeup at one year. That makes no sense. Cow's milk is designed to grow baby cows -- large bodies, small brains. Human milk is designed to grow human babies and when you take the social pressure out of it, humans have traditionally breastfed for 2-7 years. It only takes a small amount of research to know that human milk changes with your child to meet their needs and continues to do so for as long as you're nursing.)
2006-10-25 14:15:20 · answer #5 · answered by peregrine1123 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I breastfed my son until he was 2 1/2. Yes, he could ask to be breastfed. It didn't bother me a bit. I nursed him when he wanted to eat. I have had cousins who were nursed until they were 3. I find it no big deal.
2006-10-25 14:32:55 · answer #6 · answered by LITTLE 1 :o) 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I nursed my daughter until she was 2 1/2. But just before bed. I think we stopped nursing in public around 18 months...not really intentionally, that's just how it happened.
2006-10-25 13:16:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I plan to breastfeed my son (in public as needed) as long as he is still interested. It is still a good source of nutrition, and it's not like it's the ONLY thing you feed them. After a certain point it's fairly infrequent. I have no problem with seeing toddlers nurse in public- after all, it's fairly common to see toddlers carrying around bottles, isn't it?
2006-10-25 13:17:59 · answer #8 · answered by Ellie 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋
After a year it is pointless to breastfeed as breast milk contains the same nutrients as cow's milk. A 4 year old still breastfeeding---YUCK!
For all the ignorant women out there....Women's hormones change therefore their breast milk changes at a year. It contains no more immunities. The AAP just announced that breastfeeding does not make a baby smarter (although they did say that smarter women breastfeed) and the new recommendations for breastfeeding is 6 months. How's that for EDUCATION!!!
2006-10-25 13:30:54 · answer #9 · answered by TRUE PATRIOT 6 · 3⤊ 4⤋
i stopped breast feeding at 3months and breast fed him through the night til he was six months! it worked for me x
2006-10-25 13:18:03 · answer #10 · answered by mummy of 2 boys and a princess x 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋