At what time is it appropriate to stop breastfeeding?

Question

Theres a Colonol here who is still breastfeeding her three year old twins. Thats weird, right?

I knew I should have abbrieviated. Actually, she is a Lt. Col. Why is it weird that a female is a Lt. Col? Or a full bird? There are female Generals. Who is that guy?

Answer 1

every question you've asked today about pregnancy, kids, or breastfeeding is basically you making judgments about someone elses lifestyle choices for their kids.
something that is NOT your business anyway. perhaps if you spent less time worrying about what EVERYONE else is doing and more time minding your own business you might be a less b!tchy, judgmental person.

Answer 2

I know that much of the world does not stop breastfeeding until kids are much older. Of course, some of that has to do with the fact that food is much more readily available in the United States than it is in third-world countries. However, in our country, there seems to be a social stigma associated with breastfeeding past a certain age. Personally, I stopped at a year. My son stopped showing interest in it and we were both ready. I know many people who have breastfed up to 2 years. I do think that breastfeeding 3 year olds is a bit too long. It may be healthy, but the at the age of 3, kids can be mean. As a preschool teacher, I can tell you that 3 year olds look for things that are different about the other kids, and will tease them about it. And it is important to a three-year-old to fit in with his friends. That's my primary reason for thinking that 3 is too old - he will feel alienated by others, especially if they have parents who look down upon it.

Answer 3

Most breastfeeding books and websites will say to breastfeed as long as both mother and baby are willing. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding until the age of 2. When someone is breastfeeding a toddler that old, it is usually once a day or less, and more for the child's comfort than for nutrition.

Personally, I don't think I could breastfeed a child big enough to walk up to me, lift my shirt, and unhook my bra himself. I'm pregnant now, and I don't think I'll breastfeed past a year.


And of course women can be colonels...they don't deny rank in the military based on a person's gender.

Answer 4

Actually its really not weird. THe average age most women stop breastfeeding their children is ages 3 to 4....Most just dont announce that they are still breastfeeding them. You can look up the information about it at www.babycenter.com and it will say the same thing. There is nothing wrong with it Of course lots of third world countries breastfeed their children for long periods of time because its the natural thing to do.. Its just society here that frowns upon it because they see breasts as sexual. Alot of people think its sick and disgusting to breastfeed at all even past the age of 1. Breast were meant for breastfeeding.

Answer 5

Absolutely not. Only weird if you think it is. Breastfeeding is so positively beneficial.

I stopped nursing around 18 months. That was long enough for me. Now, I don't think people's decisions to nurse longer is gross but I don't really want to see a 3 year old nursing in public.

I am a STRONG supporter of breastfeeding and STRONG supporter of mothers being able to nurse in the mall, discretely of course, or any other public place, but I do think if you decide to nurse any longer than 18 months that the nursing should be done privately just to avoid any rude remarks to you or baby, or toddler I should say. Nursing while people are belittling you is stressful and I just wouldn't subject myself to that kind of rudeness.

Answer 6

It's not weird it's natural and wonderful Kudos to her !!! I stopped breastfeeding at 10 months with my son due to lack of knowledge and time to pump. Breastfeeding provides so many benefits even past a year. I am pregnant now and plan to feed her until she is at least 2.

Answer 7

Very weird!
Mothers should stop nursing when the baby is two.. after that, babies have more trouble getting weaned. Specially that they become toddlers & have to play, move, & get along with other kids.
Most doctors say that two years of nursing are efficient to provide enough nutrition as well as develop the baby's immunity during the time when babies cannot yet rely on their teeth. After two, when babies can chew well, they need to rely on friuts & vegetables for necessary vitamins.

Answer 8

Yes that is weird to me. Three years old is too old to still be breastfeeding and i already know i will be getting a thumbs down about that but that is the truth.

If some people feel it is ok to breastfeed a 3 year old then is it still ok to bottlefeed a 3 year old?
I would think the answer would be no right?

I think at around a year old or sooner is a good time to stop.

Answer 9

I personally don't think kids should be breast-fed past the first year. Breastfeeding no longer meets any nutritional needs the baby has past that point. But I've seen people breast-feeding way past that point. When my daughter was in pre-school there was this other little 4 year old having a fit and the workers were unable to console him. His Mom came in all frantic, grabbed him, ran to the lobby, popped out her boob and started nursing him. I thought it was so strange, I think it causes some kind of abnormal attachment in the child if they are breast-fed too long.

Answer 10

Some people choose to breast feed a little longer then the norm, however just because it is different does not make it wrong.