Breastfeeding a 5 Yr. old???????

Question

When is too long, too long?
OK...I believe there are HUGE benefits to breastfeeding ( I breastfed both my children as long as my body allowed, I went dry with both early on)...however, when is too far???
I met a woman 2 days ago that was breastfeeding her 5 year old. Now nutritional value aside, what is this doing to a young boys psychological well being? I mean, this is Kindergarten age.
Am I the only one out there that thinks this is ridiculous? Please respond either way..I would even like to hear an argument for this behavior.

Answer 1

Personally, I would not breastfeed a child that long, but on a world-wide scale, its perfectly normal to breastfeed a child for 2-5 years. Americans are pretty much the only ones with hangups about it. Did you know Michael Jordan was breastfed for 3 years? The benefits of breastfeeding never end, so he's still getting benefit from it. Its not as if on a certain birthday of the child, the mothers milk turns to water. Her milk is always changing to meet her childs needs. Also keep in mind that this child may have a medical condition that you dont know about. Breastfeeding is good for ANY child, but especially good for a sick on. Breastmilk is known to help problems as small as pink eye and as extreme as cancer or aids.

"A mother and her baby should breastfeed for as long as they wish to breastfeed. The American Academy of Pediatrics currently (2005) recommends: "Pediatricians and parents should be aware that exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life and provides continuing protection against diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child." * As solids are introduced, usually around the middle of the first year, your baby will shift his primary source of nutrition from your milk to other foods"

" Per the American Academy of Pediatrics, “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.”"


"The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond (WHO 1992, WHO 2002). "

"Scientific research by Katherine A. Dettwyler, PhD shows that 2.5 to 7.0 years of nursing is what our children have been designed to expect (Dettwyler 1995). "

"Per the World Health Organization, "a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness."

I personally know moms who breasfed their kids for 3 or 4 years, and their sons are now extremely healthy teen boys who have more respect for women and their bodies than most men EVEN do. They dont think its a big deal that they can remember nursing, and really respect their moms for it. They dont have a breast fixation, or any kind of perversion, or attachment issues. The kids I have met who were breastfed for an extended period of time are the most well behaved, well adjusted, healthy, and respectful of the human body, kids I have ever met.

* I assume this woman is not EXCLUSIVELY breastfeeding, but that this childs diet is mostly food.

Answer 2

No matter the age of the person consuming breastmilk it has huge value both nutritionally and immunologically. Breastmilk or sometimes just cololstrum has been found useful in treating cancer. Breastmilk also contains hormones that help control stress which is beneficial to children who are having a hard time at school. You also don't know if this child has a specific problem that makes it highly advisable to breastfeed, there are a few.

You also might be interested to know that the natural age of weaning for humans might be as late as 7 years. This is a great article if you get a chance:
http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detwean.html
(this link should work now)

But let me tell you the real reason for breastfeeding a 5 year old. It is stongly encouraged that you breastfeed for at least two years, not only do international agencies agree, so does the American Academy of Family Physicians. But as you breastfeed your child, even if you believe in weaning at age 1 you realize something. A child the day before their first (or second, or any arbitrary date) is really not so different than a child the day after their birthday. There isn't something magic that happens and makes your child suddenly have drastically different need -so why change what is working for you and your child?!

There is no evidence that breastfeeding, family co-sleeping, family co-bathing or another other practices that are popular around the world and throughout most of history cause psychological damage. In fact most studies have found the opposite. There was one study that found children who co-slept until age 5 (or was it 7?) had much lower rates of mental illness as adults.

They have similarly found children who nurse past a year are better socially adjusted. (see kellymom link below). And eventually someone will get around to studying children who are truly allowed to self-wean -which is the norm in almost all mammals (and the exceptions tend to be domesticated). And probably find all sorts of nutritional AND psychological benefits.

Answer 3

So many small minds out there....

The World Health Organization recommends EXCLUSIVE breastfeeding for at MINIMUM 6 months, and continued breastfeeding for 4 years.

Most Moms I know have stopped by the time their kids are 3 or so, some longer. I've found that the child WILL stop nursing when they're ready. It has NOTHING to do with Mom's inability to let the child grow up. Somehow society sees nothing wrong with a 3 or 4 or 5 year old carrying around a filthy disgusting baby bottle full of cola and still drinking from it.....but can find fault for a mother that nurses her baby beyond 6 months. THAT is what I find sick and disturbing.

Extended breastfeeding and co-sleeping is most certainly not incest or abuse, THAT is ridiculous.

Answer 4

In your other questions alot of things have changed, You've asked things about your boyfriend but in this question you say your single, You said your son is 4 last week but now he is 5 all the sudden, In your other question you said your on is in Pre school which I find highly doubtful if he isn't potty trained, Sucks on a pacifier, needs a bib and breastfeeds. NO PRE SCHOOL will take a child with all these problems so there is just no way any of this stuff is true, Are you looking for attention or what?

Answer 5

I read an article in a parenting magazine about a year ago about a 6 year old girl still breastfeeding at night...I dont think it would cause any psychological problems really, but I would NOT do it for that long...maybe 2 years, but thats my cut off...I have only gotten to 4 months and with my second to 7 months...but 6 YEARS!! It just sounded wrong to me...but maybe thats just society and what we consider the norm...Im kind of stumped on the whole thing..I mean personally NO WAY, but for me to judge someone else...well I cant, although if I seen it I would sure be thinking "oooh thats weird!"

Answer 6

Wow, kudos to her for not caring what other people think... It's not illegal to breastfeed a child when he's 5 or 6... It's a matter of personal preference between the mother and child.
Personally, I could never breastfeed past the age of 2 - it would be too weird to me - but if other people can do it and their children are ok with it, I can't see it doing much harm. Then again, if the child is opposed to nursing and the mother is forcing it, THEN I'd think you have a problem... I don't know, to each is own. If we lived in another country, it might be acceptable in society.
Just my opinion - not trying to start anything, just throwing in my 2 cents.

Answer 7

The average age of weaning is anywheres from 2-7 yrs old. I know a few moms nursing their 4 and 5 year olds. I see nothing wrong with it. It's usually only a once a day thing. Mine is almost 3 and we are still nursing. Most Americans, especially, are very ignorant when it comes to the whole field of extended nursing.

Answer 8

Personally i wouldn't be comfortable breastfeeding past the age of 2. BUT there are cultures around the world where this is a norm. Its a personal choice that varies from mother to mother, Shes doing what she feels is best for her child.

Answer 9

Many years ago before there was such a thing as baby formula in a can, mothers breast fed for as long as they could and no one made it out to be perverted. It was accepted as a part of motherhood. Of course, these mothers were at home with their children, not out in malls or grocery stores. Times have changed for sure. The milk is healthy and it used to be the only way to nourish the child and the healthiest way. Husbands worked and supported the stay at home Mom's, who sometimes had 10 to twelve kids. It was the natural thing to do and of course, cheaper. If we all had the lives and thinking of our Great Great Grandparents, we wouldn't even be discussing this as wrong or sinful or perverted. We would not even be on the internet but at home taking care of our families. It is good to see there are still Mothers who are Mothers. Congratulate her or leave her alone.

Answer 10

i am IN the extended breastfeeding camp!!!

SHAME on you prudes in here claiming it's sick, unnatural and wrong!

i agree with the respondencts who have given very useful info on the benefits of breastfeeding for extended periods

breastmilk is given to adults who are sick....that is how benficial it is

many many studies have been done surrounding the weaning ages of mammals.....it is proven time and time again that mammals wean naturally when they begin to lose baby teeth......then they compare higher order mammals ....apes of course which by the way include humans

there it is again!....apes and humans mature similiarily and will wean naturally when they begin to lose their baby teeth.....which by the way is around 4-7 years old!

i personally produced milk for my daughter until she was around 2 years......then after that nursing has been very useful in calming tantrums, injuries, or whatever else

my daughter is now 5 years......we are expecting her little sister very very soon and i totally plan on allowing her try nursing again if she wishes and once again will be nursing the little one for as long as she desires

Americans are soooooo misinformed about breastfeeding obviously from all the ingnorant responses to the question