Breastfeeding a SIX year old - aibu?

All the scientific evidence I've seen says 2-4 is natural weaning age. I think due to children's stomach acid development there's also no immunity benefits to breastmilk beyond about 2 years (babies stomach are underdeveloped, which is why they benefit)

I'm also confused where all the posters saying 7 is natural weaning age are getting their data from. It goes against everything I've read about breastfeeding

Fanks.

And it's you're or you are, remember for next time!

Tit.

This is very true! I definitely would, if I’m being honest. Obviously additional needs aside, before anyone points this out.

So gross. The child is 6. A full primary school child. Grim.

Not sure what I think TBH but am pretty certain that many people would judge a parent for giving their 6 year old a bottle of milk or a dummy! Both given for comfort as well.

I laughed so hard at this

Yes - as an paleoanthropologist will tell you, it’s unlikely that hunter gatherer mothers were breastfeeding their 5/ 6/ 7 year olds. (In practical terms, think of the succession of younger children/ infants they would need to be feeding - unlikely the mother would have capacity to still be feeding a 6 year old.)

I’m quite interested in this idea that ‘natural term’ is between 2 and 7 years old. Is it based on any credible evidence? It doesn’t reflect common practice in the developing world either (though of course the influx of formula has muddied the waters a bit).

How beautifully put. I can see your are a bit of a wordsmith.

Why on earth are you thinking so much about this? You chose not to do this, her choice is different- that’s fine. It’s highly likely any feeding a 6 year old is doing is a comfort feed at night time, it won’t be affecting the rest of his nutrition, and suggests his Mum is putting his own needs above her fears of what others might think. I fed my youngest child until she was almost 4, it was only a bedtime feed for the last year of that, it helped her settle. I hate this overdramatisation of anything outside your narrow view of what is normal.

Personally I find it weird to breastfeed older kids. No reason to do it unless there is a famine. I think it's more about mums wanting to keep their children in a baby stage. There is something bordering on incestous with an older child sucking on his mums tits, it does gross me out tbh. There are plenty of healthy foods, a 6 year old does not need to breastfeed. You comfort a child that age by hugging him, talking to him not by sticking your breast in his mouth.

Oh my goodness, ouch! 😬

I breast fed one of mine until they were two. One day they bit me and that was it. I stopped immediately. I think it's up to the mum really and no one should judge.

But tbh my post was mostly in support of extended breastfeeding (not a defence of bottle feeding) as I so often see defenders of extended bf are those who’ve done it themselves and I wanted to offer support as someone who largely couldn’t.
I’m so grateful formula exists - I agree it’s pervasive and shouldn’t be ‘the norm’ - but I don’t think this debate is about formula so much as age.

I know that, thank you for your comment. But you mentioned bottle feeding and I am very aware some women have no choice but to bottle feed through no fault of their own & despite their best efforts. I'm afraid that I used our post to reassure them that there is no criticism of them.

However, I feel that the bigger issue is the advertising of formula & the normalising of bottle feeding over breast feeding. Breast feeding your baby should be portrayed as the 'normal' thing, not bottle feeding for so many reasons.

But no one drinks milk from a cows breast.

Hmm, I think it’s possible for one to not sexualise breasts and to believe breast milk is optimal (compared to formula - which is also amazing when breast milk is not possible!) and yet still find age six or even younger a little old for breastfeeding. I would be classed as an extended breastfeeder to some but three is definitely too old for me personally. Don’t care what others do though! Their breasts, their kids…

I think it’s objectively more gross to drink milk from a cow’s breast, if you think about all that involves for more than a few minutes.

Don’t disagree with this at all! And thank you 💕

But tbh my post was mostly in support of extended breastfeeding (not a defence of bottle feeding) as I so often see defenders of extended bf are those who’ve done it themselves and I wanted to offer support as someone who largely couldn’t.

I’m so grateful formula exists - I agree it’s pervasive and shouldn’t be ‘the norm’ - but I don’t think this debate is about formula so much as age.

Nobody is feeding a 6 year old just breastmilk- they do feed solids, from 6 months old - at 6 they are having a small amount of breatmilk alongside the usual 3 meals and snacks per day

Breastfed children still get ill - they just benefit from increased antibodies in the milk and often have shorter recovery times, it supports their immune system, it doesn't stop it from developing

Yes they can, but most mums make use of multiple methods of comfort - soft toys, special blankets, cuddles, storytime, and breastfeeding

Breastfeeding doesn't mean they are not learning those things, breastfed children can be incredible confident and independent, my 6 year old makes her own lunch, dresses herself, packs her own bags, reads, plays and explores by herself, makes friends easily, goes to school or with family members, even overnight, without a worry, safe in the knowledge that mum is there if she ever needs me.

I know this will blow your mind but the age you start school varies around the world, boobs and babies not so much.

Thank you - you are right that not everyone is able to BF. No-one should be made to feel guilty if they can't do it for whatever reason.

However, as PP have said, bottle feeding tends to be the way of feeding a baby that is portrayed. Baby dolls are sold with bottles, soap opera characters feed babies with bottles - even Peppa Pig's younger sister is fed with a bottle. What message does that give mums?

Breast feeding isn't necessarily easy. As a farmer's daughter I was rather expecting that my baby & me would know how to do it rather like lambs & calves & their mums know exactly what to do. It didn't help that my DS was born as a result of an emergency caesarean, I lost lots of blood & we were both very poorly for the first couple of days. However, after struggling with it, my lovely grandmother came to visit. She was fab - got the midwives to pump my swollen sore boobs (like a cow milking machine) so that there was a nipple for DS to latch onto, she suggested that I try another position to feed him from, bought cabbage leaves to relieve my painful boobs & generally encouraged me. She also identified that I had mastitis.

As far as she was concerned breast feeding is the best way to feed baby & we shouldn't give him a bottle until we tried all options.

I also don’t give a shit what others do but there’s no way I’d breastfeed for that long. If I did breastfeed for that long, I’m not sure I’d be okay with my DC sharing that information with a friend - as I know how merciless kids can be when teasing and bullying as a teacher. I also know how nicknames stick from primary school well into high school! I know this feels wrong because it is natural but of course kids won’t have the maturity to see it that way. Definitely too old for me personally. My cut off would probably be about three. My DC seemed huge breastfeeding when not even two! And they started biting!

I breastfeed my 4 and 2 year olds and genuinely do not get the faux outrage on this thread. It’s human children drinking human milk. It’s literally what it’s made for, and what my breasts are meant to do. My eldest (a girl) shows no sign of wanting to end her feeds, but to those who are adamant it should stop - what should I tell her when she asks why? Because grown ups think it’s wrong? Because she’s hit some completely arbitrary age and is deemed too old? Because mummy apparently should only use her breasts during sex now her children are no longer ‘babies’. Seriously, why? What would be an actual reason to give a 4 year old child that could explain taking away something that she loves and only gives her benefits?

I personally won’t be doing it past 6 months if I can help it. Maybe sooner.
i remember being horrified seeing a 3 yo breast feeding. Tho this was before I had children. I think the bigger the child looks the more wrong it looks to me.

Of course it’s not a situation that has a right or wrong. In my opinion I wouldn’t do it as I don’t think it’s ok.

I’ve my crash helmet on! Go!

Your children are supposed to wean onto solid food.
Your children are supposed to get ill and boost their immunity.
Your children can be comforted and loved without your nipple in their mouth.
Your children, if they’re in primary school, should be learning skills of independence and resilience

I believe six is the norm in some countries. I remember reading a really interesting article about it years ago. I’m sure google will give you some info on it. Personally I gave up at a year because I hated breastfeeding, but I know plenty of people who carried on for longer. I’ve never met anyone who was feeding a six year old that they told me about. I imagine I’d be a bit surprised simply because it is unusual in the culture I am used to, but I certainly wouldn’t judge, in fact I think I’d be impressed.