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AIBU?

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Original poster

Breastfeeding a SIX year old - aibu?

138 replies

flufffffy · 21/05/2025 19:55

I was taking to another mother at gymnastics yesterday. She casually mentioned that she sometimes still breastfeeds her SIX year old. That sometimes her six year old will come to her and “have a go” and that she has milk left. I’m not making this up, it really happened, and she wasn’t pulling my leg.

I truly had no idea what to do with my face, so I made it look very polite.

Isn’t this a bit weird? I mean, the six year old will remember it when she’s older, surely?

I want to be told I’m being judgemental and unreasonable - because I feel bad for being so judgmental and horrified!

This child has no younger siblings, btw, so it’s not like she’s doing it because they are.

I have a six year old boy and there’s no way in hell I would occasionally breastfeed him! I breastfed up until he was 18 months, so it’s not like I’m not sympathetic to long-ish term breastfeeding.

OP posts:
WhatNoRaisins · 21/05/2025 20:30

Most kids breastfeeding older only feed at bedtime. It's possible to carry on breastfeeding longer and have rules if you want to. For example once mine were older I only fed at home and I never let them go up to me and start pulling at my top out and about.

Notashamed13 · 21/05/2025 20:28

Ye Gods! 6!.... to each their own but personally way too old.....

LlynTegid · 21/05/2025 20:28

I'd be concerned about the child being bullied. Assuming it is known by others.

Ineedtocheckmylist · 21/05/2025 20:27

I BF my DS until he was nearly 3. By then it was only a night-time feed after story & milky drink, just to settle him. For context he is autistic & has ADHD &, frankly, was a complete nightmare to get to sleep & didn't sleep for more than 2 hours at a stretch until his teen years - even then it was a rare thing. I became uncomfortable with the whole thing about that time - it felt weird as he was asking bout women's 'boobies' & I was concerned about sexualising him. The evening after the clocks went forward & he went to bed an hour later than his circadian clock was expecting, he didn't ask for it & I didn't offer. That ended it.

Must confess as I'm a 32AA bra normally & went up to a 32B, I missed having boobs & a cleavage once I'd stopped BFing. 😂

Rosscameasdoody · 21/05/2025 20:27

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Yeah. So in other words you’re wrong.

HundredPercentUnsure · 21/05/2025 20:25

damndamn · 21/05/2025 20:16

There’s this website called google, try it

Show quote history

There is.

Would you like some links to educate yourself on the benefits of BF instead, since you seem to be unable to reciprocate?

I'd really hate to be living with such a closed mind or be so affected about how another parent raises their child. It must be exhausting.

Marylou2 · 21/05/2025 20:25

Wow! I made it to 2 months with many tears. Hated every painful minute. I was envious of mums who fed effortlessly and painlessly. Not sure where the cut off point should be but definitely before they start school!

damndamn · 21/05/2025 20:25

Createausernameplease · 21/05/2025 20:18

WHO recommend 2 and beyond. I breastfed till 2, curious what benefit you think a mum is getting out of extended breastfeeding

Show quote history

Honestly, this is exactly what I would like to know and prepared to be educated on. Why do woman breastfeed a 4,5,6 year old? There are so many other food options that are healthy for the child and also million things they can use as comfort. So I would love to know the reason to breastfeed these ages.

Soontobesingles · 21/05/2025 20:25

flufffffy · 21/05/2025 19:55

I was taking to another mother at gymnastics yesterday. She casually mentioned that she sometimes still breastfeeds her SIX year old. That sometimes her six year old will come to her and “have a go” and that she has milk left. I’m not making this up, it really happened, and she wasn’t pulling my leg.

I truly had no idea what to do with my face, so I made it look very polite.

Isn’t this a bit weird? I mean, the six year old will remember it when she’s older, surely?

I want to be told I’m being judgemental and unreasonable - because I feel bad for being so judgmental and horrified!

This child has no younger siblings, btw, so it’s not like she’s doing it because they are.

I have a six year old boy and there’s no way in hell I would occasionally breastfeed him! I breastfed up until he was 18 months, so it’s not like I’m not sympathetic to long-ish term breastfeeding.

I have a very boob oriented 2.5 year old. And in all honestly I wouldn’t be surprised if she keeps feeding to 6 or older. I was adamant I would stop feeding at a year and in fact was very judgemental about long breastfeeding. However my experience now is that like with anything in parenting it is to do with responding as you feel best to the needs of the child you have, not some imaginary world where everything is textbook. So ultimately mind your own business if her child is secure, healthy, happy and loved it is fine. ‘Normal’ weaning can happen anywhere from a few months to 7 years so still within a reasonable frame.

Katemax82 · 21/05/2025 20:24

SiberianHusky · 21/05/2025 19:56

I breastfed my only DC til 4 years but I feel 6 is pushing

I did my 3rd child until 4

Screamingabdabz · 21/05/2025 20:24

Yanbu. Yes it’s possible and therefore within the definition of ‘natural’ but it’s unnecessary in our society and smacks of maternal indulgence. Children benefit greatly from being taught age-appropriate independence and bodily autonomy.

Bigfatsunandclouds · 21/05/2025 20:24

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You are rude. Feeding a child milk is not gross, however unpleasant and repulsive you might personally you find it. Maybe you need to explore why that is?

PraisebetoGod · 21/05/2025 20:23

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"Absolute filth"
What a revealing choice of words.

Saddogowner22 · 21/05/2025 20:23

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Actually there is a benefit to extended breastfeeding to both mum and toddler. Breastmilk becomes more concentrated in bug fighting stuff as natural term weaning is approached so it can help fight off the constant bugs. Amongst other benefits.

Dinnerplease · 21/05/2025 20:23

Gosh, thinking it's 'absolute filth' really says more about you than anything else. Why are you sexualising it?

Perfectly normal in Mongolia. Makes the strongest wrestlers, they say.

https://www.naturalchild.org/articles/guest/ruth_kamnitzer.html

Fed my first until 2, second until 4.

Breastfeeding in the Land of Genghis Khan - The Natural Child Project

https://www.naturalchild.org/articles/guest/ruth_kamnitzer.html

Flurty · 21/05/2025 20:20

At two it’s a biological norm, a WHO recommendation and very normal all over the place. To see it as filth is very very unusual and while your opinions are clearly strong they are factually wrong and deeply unpleasant in their implied critiques of mothers.

LondonLady1980 · 21/05/2025 20:20

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Filth 🤣🤣

I’m sure there are many mothers out there who are so desperate for you to “respect them” that they’ll be prepared to stop breastfeeding their child.

I doubt any mother gives a shit about whether you respect them or not.

What a really weird thing to say.

Createausernameplease · 21/05/2025 20:18

damndamn · 21/05/2025 20:16

There’s this website called google, try it

Show quote history

WHO recommend 2 and beyond. I breastfed till 2, curious what benefit you think a mum is getting out of extended breastfeeding

Angelchick1971 · 21/05/2025 20:18

Yack

Namma · 21/05/2025 20:17

I breastfed my ds til he was 6. He was just having a night feed at this stage.
I was teased by my family, I got the whole ‘bitty’ thing chucked at me. It didn’t bother me.
Once a child loses their MILK teeth they generally self wean. This is usually between the age of 2 and 7.
I’m also a trained breastfeeding supporter so I have quite an in depth knowledge of baby feeding and the psychology behind it.

damndamn · 21/05/2025 20:16

HundredPercentUnsure · 21/05/2025 20:13

Can you back this up with scientific, evidence based links please that show there is no benefit.

So I can be educated.

Show quote history

There’s this website called google, try it

damndamn · 21/05/2025 20:15

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crankycurmudgeon · 21/05/2025 20:14

Poppyyoutwat · 21/05/2025 20:03

I find it really hard to muster a single shit about what someone else chooses to do. If I heard someone’s pensioner child was visiting their 90 old mother in the care home for a once a day breastfed, I still wouldn’t find a single fuck to give.

Don’t get worked up about what others do, it’s none of your concern.

😂

HundredPercentUnsure · 21/05/2025 20:13

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Can you back this up with scientific, evidence based links please that show there is no benefit.

So I can be educated.

60andcounting · 21/05/2025 20:13

Reminds me of Little Britain.. Bitty, bitty..