Why would anyone breastfeed a kid that is 3-4 years old?

Question

Why i am asking is i seen someone on here saying they breastfeed their almost 4 year old kid. I think it is just wrong too.

Answer 1

This is wrong.
Apparently the terrible twos took over mom,and she has gone were her toddler takes her.
Why? Mabye Mom's got tired of the crying,whining,fit throwing, child that she has and conformed to what the child wanted! This only comes in situations called the "shut-up" method. This is when someone does something just to make the other individual..well, shut-up.
The child in question is going to have some serious developmental problems, especially in school. The toddler should not even consider breastfeeding anymore. The child should be more concerned not to tip his/her grape juice all over Mr.Bear.
After seeing a situation like this you should confront the mom, and tell her to go see phsyciatric help.(Totally serious) This condition could only get worse...for the mother,and child...
I will certainly pray for this one!
Hope this Helped!
~Mac

Answer 2

I know woman who did this until her girl was 4. I personally wouldn't do it. I bf my son til he got his first tooth then I started pumping and putting it in bottles. By 1 he was on reg. milk and drinking from a cup. He did very well with this and still got the breast milk. I don't judge people by the choices they make. But it is not something I would do.

Answer 3

To some it would seem wrong. But in fact it's NOT wrong. They are still getting the best nutrients possible and still have that great motherly bond. This will not cause psychological problems later in life. I know alot of the kids who were breastfed until 3 years of age or so who grew up to be great, well-rounded kids. The only reason it's considered wrong is because it's how today's society sees it. I think it's awful that people have to throw such a huge fit over breastfeeding when there is much more important issues out there to worry about. Pay more attention to the kids that are REALLY being sexual abused or neglected or in danger from ACTUAL bad parents. Let good mothers be good mothers.

Answer 4

Do you know anything about extended breastfeeding? If not, how could you possibly speak intelligently about something you know NOTHING about? I breastfed my son until he was 3 years old and my 2 year old daughter is still nursing. They are happy and healthy children. As for children having "developmental problems," my son is now 12 1/2 years old and is an honor student and a Black Belt in Karate. No developmental problems here! If he were to walk in a room and see a woman nursing her baby (or toddler), he wouldn't think another thing about it. Why? Because he would know she is FEEDING HER BABY. So, I guess what I am saying is that my 12 year old is more mature about this subject matter than you are. Get a life and stay out of others!

Answer 5

My aunt breat feed her two daughters until they were almost 5. She had problems with the teeth more than anything, I can't imagine what her nipples must look like. She said she would do it all over again though for her children. They didn't seem to mind either, though I would want my child to stop after a year or two...

Answer 6

Because it is biologically normal to nurse that long.

Because the child still expresses a desire to nurse.

Because the benefits continue as long as you continue to nurse. It's not like the milk turns to water at a certain age. It's always good for them, it just gradually becomes a smaller and smaller part of their diet.

Because child-lead weaning is gentler on both mother and child.

Because the natural age of human weaning falls somewhere between 2.5 and 7 years of age according to anthropologist Kathryn Dettwyler.

Did you know that Michael Jordan was breastfed until he was three?

Because the AAP says, "There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer."
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496

Because the world-wide average age of weaning is 4.2 years.

ETA:
By the way, it's not like a child that old is exclusively breastfed people! They learn to drink from a cup, use silverware, eat solid foods, etc. It just gradually becomes a smaller part of their day as they naturally outgrow the need to nurse. An older child doesn't nurse as often or as long as a newborn does.

Answer 7

Because the kid likes it. the time spent with MOM is comfort.

They are not getting nutrition, but it is fulfilling a need for the child.

OK, it is not for every child, and I agree, it has to be at the CHILD"S request, not the mother's. but it isn't doing anyone any harm, and may lead to a better adjusted child in the long term. and it isn't full of sugar, caffeine,or useless calories. there are observations from many different cultures where breastfeeding iis the norm, and it isn't unusual.. in WEstern cultures, we have decided that breasts are made to ogle at, but sorry folks, they have a function and that is to feed our young.

Answer 8

its really not for you to judge.
in many societies, breastfeeding is done until at the very least 4 years old.

Breastfeeding is natural and healthy. If you have a hang up about it, then you should deal with that, not scorn others.

Answer 9

This used to be common ages ago.. I know some elderly coworkers who did this. Maybe its because they couldnt afford to buy formula or milk. Personally though.. if your child can walk up to you and ask for a drink or say she or he is hungry.. then NOPE... sry... couldnt do it... blah! No offense to those who have done it.

Answer 10

- Because it is still good for them to have breastmilk
- some aren't ready to wean yet (but this is very unusual, most will naturally wean at 2
- children are naturally meant to breastfeed this long in some cases (explains the whole thumbsucking issue)

In our culture it is considered weird, but in most, it is considered normal to breastfeed for extended periods of time, until the child feels ready to stop. We just see it as sexual abuse or something, but in reality, it is not sexual at all. Breasts are for babies, not for men.