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Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Infant feeding

Is this weird? 4.5 yr old ds wants to have some breast milk?

38 replies

Quicksilver · 09/05/2008 11:02

Since I had my 12 wk old dd, my ds has been fascinated by the feeding process.
He keeps asking if he can try some of the 'special baby milk', but I say no and that it is just for babies.

However i am now starting to feel mean and am considering expressing some milk for him to drink.

Does this sound odd? Has anyone else done this?

OP posts:

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notnowbernard · 09/05/2008 11:03

Sounds completely normal for him to express a desire to try it

Bet if you were ff he'd want a bottle, too

I wouldn't find it odd if you gave him some to try

StealthPolarBear · 09/05/2008 11:04

there seem to be a fair few threads about this sort of thing, and general consensus is no, it's normal

(I only have one DS so can't comment)

StealthPolarBear · 09/05/2008 11:05

When I started bf I was fairly curious myself and wanted to know what it tasted like!

notnowbernard · 09/05/2008 11:06

I offered dp some and he turned his nose up!!!

WigWamBam · 09/05/2008 11:06

No, it's not weird. He's just curious about something he can't remember for himself - and perhaps a little envious that the baby is having something which is forbidden to him.

Let him have a taste; what's the harm?

OrmIrian · 09/05/2008 11:06

My DD asked a few times when I was feeding her little brother - she was nearly 4 when he was born. I said she could try on one occasion but she didn't really want to, just wanted me to say it was OK I think. Can't remember if DS#1 was the same - too long ago.

themoon66 · 09/05/2008 11:07

I remember being curious myself so had a taste. It was much more sweet than I'd imagined. I offered some to DH but he didnt even want a sip.. I was very offended!

barking · 09/05/2008 11:08

My four year old is the same as I'm still feeding my toddler. My dh was very uncomfortable about it but I let him try in the end but he got frustrated with the sucking then it turned into a bit of a game with him blowing raspberries at my boobs! - I think he just wanted the comfort and not to be left out - especially as my toddler still spends a lot of time feeding.
Please don't worry x

StealthPolarBear · 09/05/2008 11:08

i thought it was chalky and weird - I think that's because it was body temp, whereas I am used to hot or cold drinks iyswim

Quicksilver · 09/05/2008 11:08

I suppose you are right. It is normal to be curious about it - I can't tell you the number of questions I have had!

I suppose I don't want to give him some breast milk now, and him remember when he is older and be traumatised!

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notnowbernard · 09/05/2008 11:09

Is he asking to be breast-fed or to have bm in a cup?

windygalestoday · 09/05/2008 11:11

its quite normal its natural curiousity - i think id be inclined to offer him a glass of big boy milk instead tho.

Quicksilver · 09/05/2008 11:11

notnowbernard, he hasn't specified.

I wouldn't even consider actually bfing him though. That would be too weird for me.

I was just thinking about expressing and giving him a cup.

OP posts:

barking · 09/05/2008 11:12

I know what you mean though - a had a fear that my 4 year old might want to talk about it in 'chatting and showing' at school

OrmIrian · 09/05/2008 11:13

I'd be delighted if my DD had done that barking! Nobody, but nobody that I know at the school breastfeeds! It's totally appalling and I'd be very pleased to brainwash the reception class.

notnowbernard · 09/05/2008 11:13

I can understand, Quicksilver

The thought of BF dd1 2yrs after stopping bf wouldn't have suited me, either... simply because it would have been SO LONG since the last feed

But if she'd asked for bm I would have given her some

alittlebitshy · 09/05/2008 11:14

my dd (5) is fascinated. Always has been interested in hearing about how she drank milk from me. I've promised her that she can try some breat milk once i've had the new baby in July - so she is beside herself with excitement. Dh has warned he she might not like the taste cos now she's not a baby her tastes will have changed....

Perfectly normal thing for them to ask, and ime, perfectly normal to let them try.

Quicksilver · 09/05/2008 11:14

barking, my ds tells everyone he meets that dd 'sucks her milk out of mummy's nipples'.
It can be very embarrassing.

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SmoothandWilkie · 09/05/2008 11:15

Agree with Windygales

BexieID · 09/05/2008 11:15

DP wanted to try it, lol.

WigWamBam · 09/05/2008 11:16

Why would he be traumatised? It's milk, not arsenic.

You don't have to let him breast-feed; he probably doesn't want to, anyway. If he asks to do that and you're not happy, just expain that babies drink that way because they can't use a cup; he is a big boy who doesn't need to drink that way anymore.

A drop of milk in a cup won't harm him, physically or emotionally, and might help him feel less left-out, and more involved with what you're doing.

notnowbernard · 09/05/2008 11:17

But he's being matter-of-fact about it, isn't he?

dd is sucking her milk from mummy's nipples!

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Tommy · 09/05/2008 11:20

I would agree that it is normal. DS1 and 2 "breastfed" their teddies while I was feeding DS3 when he was first born - they just want to do what Mummy does don't they!

WigWamBam · 09/05/2008 11:20

How else do you expect him to describe it, though?

Children never call a spade a shovel; they always tell it like it is!

Quicksilver · 09/05/2008 11:22

You are right Wigwambam, I am going to let him try some in a cup.

Notnowbernard ds is brilliant in his forthright manner.

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