What do you think of Women who breastfeed after a year old?

Question

I want to know what people think of kids being breastfed after a year old and if they think something is wrong with women who do after or around the age of three. I seem to have some mixed thoughts in the whole thing. I was reading one of my parent mag's and it had a page where this mother was still breastfeeding her seven year old. I seem to think this is wrong how about you.

Answer 1

in my oppinion, babies are supposed to be weaned off the bottle at a year so why would you still breast feed them??? ONce they are able to eat regular foods there is no need for it. i would not want to remember sucking on my mother at that age and i can rememebr when i was 3 so i don't think it's right

Answer 2

I don't think there is anything wrong with breastfeeding after the age of 1. It's a personal choice made by the parents. I personally plan on nursing until my baby is a 14 months to 18 months. My dad was breastfed until he was 5. Would I do it, no. Others, yes as you can see. I'll say this in the best way possible and not trying to be rude. You make your own decisions for what you think best suits you. You lose your virginity when you want regardless of what others tell you and so you breastfeed regardless of what some may say. It's all in the eyes of the beholder.

Answer 3

I think it is fine and a great thing.
I do think in today's society alot of pressure/judgement is put on women to stop before the child is ready, and this is sad.
Breastmilk continues to have all the benefits for toddlers as it does for infants.
I personally breastfeed my first daughter till she was 19-20 months ( she self weaned) and my second till she was 2 and a half. I stopped with #2 because of the pressure and judgement from society. And I regret stopping as she still needed it.

I do think its a bit creepy to breastfeed school age children. When I was younger there was a boy at my cousins school that was still breastfed and it was really gross to us.

But I dont believe its from some sort of sick perversion from the mother, there is no physical pleasure or sexual pleasure you get from breastfeeding. In fact when you do feed for years it gets quite tireing and annoying. But you continue to do it because
a) the bond with the child is worth it
b) its whats best for your child
c) knowing that your child is getting all the vitamins and nutrients they need when they go through that fussy eating stage, where they barely eat anything.
d) being able to calm and comfort your child quickly and easily

Answer 4

Different cultures have different norms about breast feeding and at what age the children should be weaned. Up to 2 years of age seems to be the norm within North American culture however many women choose to wean earlier. It is a matter of choice. @Marlbobama--call what authorities? Child protection? As a former child protection social worker, there is nothing in the legislation which deems this a child protection concern. If the woman was getting sexual gratification from it, then PERHAPS it could fall under that section. I would not want to be the social worker to go in front of a judge to try and prove that though--just wouldn't fly. I do agree that women who choose to breast feed over the age of 2 yrs need to examine the reasons for such. It is most probably due to a need of the mother rather than the child.

Answer 5

I was researching this very same topic yesterday...strange...

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends letting the child wean itself....sometimes at 6-7 years old. This is not as common in America as it is in Europe. Personally not for me! I could not imagine nursing a child. I understand what my breasts are for, but i also know what they have been used for. I have a hard time being able to breastfeed a mobile child. I plan on stopping actually breastfeeding at about 8 months and just expressing milk for another 4-5 months. I guess it is just a matter of personal preferences.

Answer 6

I think that western society puts the stigma that it's wrong to breastfeed your child after a certain age. It's the same stigma that many people hate women breastfeed in public.

If the mother and child are bonded and happy, then I think it's okay to breastfeed as long as both are comfortable. When the child becomes soley dependent on the breast and tries to strip their mom, it's more because that's the only time they get one on one attention from their mother. They don't need the breastmilk to stave their hunger. That's when it's a problem.

Answer 7

I personally wouldn't breastfeed beyond 1 year, but if other women wish to do so that is their choice. I do agree that breastfeeding a seven year old is wrong, it look pretty ridiculous as well, neally as ridiculous as 7 year olds still in nappies, sucking on a dummy and getting pushed around in a stroller.

Answer 8

I think its perfectly normal to breastfeed after a year old, this is the way God intended for it to be, the reason you don't hear of it done more here in america is because the breasts are looked at as more of a sexual thing ,which is sad in my opinion. Their are so many health benifits to breastfeeding, and women who breastfeed have a much lower chance of developing breast cancer. I can't remember the author, but you might want to read the book called The womanly art of breastfeeding. Hope i've helped you.

Answer 9

My idea is when the baby starts talking...and can unhook your braw strap...it's time to quit breastfeeding. Personally I plan to breast feed for the first 6 months. Maybe up to a year. But honestly...2 years seems to me a little too much. I know someone who breastfed their kid to 2 years or so and when she was 4 or 5 she was still grabbing at her mom's breasts.

Answer 10

I think that breastfeeding is a wonderful gift for a child to receive from their mother. In many parts of the world, young children are breastfeed up until they start school. In the US, that is not considered normal, but that decision would be up to you. I feel that when a child starts their awareness of the human body, it might be a good time to start. My aunt breastfeeds for two years for each of her 11 children. My opinion is that was the perfect amount of time.

Answer 11

I thing that breastfeeding should be stopped somewhere between the first and second year. If the mother still wants to give the baby breastmilk that's fine as long as she pumps it and gives it in a cup. Breastfeeding a preschooler and especially a grade schooler I think could have mental and social impacts on that child. Letting a 7 year old suck on a mother's breast borders on child abuse.