Is breastfeeding a 6 yr old good for her?

Question

My mom is still breastfeeding my 6 yr old sister, I am just wondering if its good for my little sister or not. I tell my mom that its gross and shes to old to do it, but my mom says that its good for her.

Wouldnt it cause her to get gaps in her teeth like a bottle dos?

there has to be something wrong with it!! Please help me im tired of seeing my sister nursing

My mom is still breastfeeding my 6 yr old sister, I am just wondering if its good for my little sister or not. I tell my mom that its gross and shes to old to do it, but my mom says that its good for her.

Wouldnt it cause her to get gaps in her teeth like a bottle dos?

there has to be something wrong with it!! Please help me im tired of seeing my sister nursing

btw...i am 19 so stop telling me to talk to some one at school

theres 5 of us kids n im the second olded non of us nursed this long!

and this is the first time ive posted this and it is real shes upstairs doin it now

btw...i am 19 so stop telling me to talk to some one at school

theres 5 of us kids n im the second olded non of us nursed this long!

and this is the first time ive posted this and it is real shes upstairs doin it now

Answer 1

Nursing does not cause gaps in teeth like a bottle does, you don't have to worry about that. Bottles cause gaps in teeth because of the artificial way that they're shaped. You don't need to call CPS, breastfeeding at any age is beneficial. I think that you need to stop thinking about yourself and the things that you want and put that aside for the needs of your sister. Did you realize that the longer your mom breastfeeds, the lower her risk of breast cancer is, and the lower the risk for your sister too? There are many fantastic benefits to extended nursing, and your mother and sister are reeping every one of them! There's probably an emotional reason for your sister to still be nursing too, breastfeeding isn't just about nutrition.

Also, if you don't like looking at it, look away! You're an adult and should be able to have the self control to look away.

To the people who say that breastmilk has no nutrients after a year - you really need to bone up on your research. Breastmilk doesn't magically turn to "water" at ANY age!

Extended nursing of any child will not make them sexually confused, turn them into a lesbian, or homosexual, that's just ridiculous!

Answer 2

Well after about 12 months all the goodness a child could possible get from breast milk has been given and anytime after that its more a comfort and bonding thing.

At 6 your sister should be in school and Im not a fan of breastfeeding a child who can be away for 8 hours a day with no problems!

Try talking to your mum calmly and tell her you read on the net or spoke with the doctor even and they said its not about nutrients anymore and it makes you feel uncomfortable.

You mum would know she cant go doing this forever but when you have a child you will understand how hard it can be to watch your child grow up and some people fight that in any way they can - even prolonging breastfeeding, so that they feel needed by the child.

Answer 3

The longer she leaves the breastfeeding, the harder to wean your little sister. Up to your mom really when she is ready to stop breastfeeding. It wont hurt for either of them. Milk is still there, but the moment she stops it the milk will also stop. If your mom is sore, tired, feeling uncomfortable, then thats the time to stop it. And no it won't cause any teeth problems.

Answer 4

The average age of weaning worldwide is 4.2. Most children wean between the ages of 3 and 7, if they are allowed to wean themselves.

The only reason people think it is weird here in the US is because full-term breastfeeding isn't practiced very often, or it is done at home where others can't, or shouldn't, judge the mother.

This is a relationship between your mother and your sister. They should be allowed to continue to nurse for as long as it is mutually desireable for both of them.

Answer 5

I can see how you would be concerned about this, and it's good to see you care about her.
But most of these answers have no truth whatsoever in them. It may actually seem gross, but as long as a mother is producing milk it loses no nutritional value. She could drink nothing but water and eat nothing and it wouldn't lose any nutrition. The mothers body works this way.
It isn't hurting her at all. It's good for her because of the extra nurishment. It is especially good for her if she has anything wrong with her health, such as a heart problem.
I have 7 brothers and sisters and we were all breast-fed for atleast two years. My little brother nursed until he was 4. And...OMG! He's a normal healthy 10 year old with no health problems! If you don't see any gaps in her teeth or anything by now, than chances are it's not hurting her teeth, either.
Just try not to worry about too much. As long as they are both comfortable with it it's perfectly fine.

Answer 6

Hun, there is no way that your sister should be breastfeeding still. once a child is old enogh to ask for the boob, that's when it's time to stop. How in the world does your mother handle that. Doesn't your sister go to school? If your mom doesn't stop NOW, your little sister will face taunting and teasing at school. Perhaps, your mother needs someone to really talk to. Maybe she is having a real problem letting go. But everyone I know who has breastfed has stopped before their child reaches the age of two. I really feel bad for your little sister. She knows no better, and this is wrong of your mother to keep letting her do this. Good Lord, how does she do it. The girl can stand up and eat off of her. Dr's say breastfeed for the first year of a childs life, not their whole life. This is not good for your sister, she is going to be VERY confused about sexuality, and what is normal and not! Can you imagine your mother flopping out her boob at your sisters high school graduation and letting her nurse?!?!?!?! Seriously, ask your mother to consider some kind of couseling, talk to your sister's Dr., and talk to your sister, tell her that she should not be doing that!

Answer 7

There IS something wrong with it. Best case scenario - your mom's just been brainwashed by the Mother's Milk Mafia and really does have the best of innocent intentions. Worst case - well, you probably don't want to think about. The bottom line, though, is that someone needs to intervene.

Child Protection should be involved. You could do that yourself, or you could talk to a teacher or school counselor and they will take it from there. Is there a father in the picture? If so, you could talk to him and have him report her.

Answer 8

Personally I think she far too old to still be breastfeeding at 6! It won`t cause your sister to have gaps in her teeth. I sense some jeolousy of the bond your Mother and sister have? I understand how you feel seeing it though.I would be disturbed too to see a child that age still breast feeding!It is a personal choice your Mother has made for whatever reasons, and I think you just have to accept it. Sorry.

Answer 9

I am all in favor of breastfeeding, but when the "baby" can walk over, undo your shirt, and start nursing, I think it is time to wean! I think your mom is afraid of your little sister growing up and so is trying to keep her "little" by breastfeeding. What does your dad say? I don't think it is very healthy anymore for her. If she goes to school, what would all the other kids say about that? That's worse than sucking your thumb! The fact that it is disturbing you means that it is causing problems in your family and needs to be addressed. Good luck. Maybe your mom just needs to have another child!

Answer 10

next time your sister has a doctors appt, make an excuse to go with her and bring it up to the doctor that your mom is still breast feeding and let him tell her she needs to stop . sounds like your mom has a problem of letting your sister grow up is your sister the last child she can have , did your mother have a hystorectomy after haveing her , this could be your moms problem , i would tell my sister that she is too old for this and every time i seen her doing it i would tease her and she will stop on her own hopefully say something like i bet the other kids at school dont know you do that or that other kids at school in her class dont do that maybe it will help stop her from wanting to do it