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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:
LondonLady1980 · 21/05/2025 20:11

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You’re comparing extended breastfeeding to the sexual abuse of children?

What a disgusting and shameful thing to say.

WhatNoRaisins · 21/05/2025 20:10

I would expect most 6 year olds to have some front teeth coming through making it impractical. Obviously there's a range of normal with teeth.

SiberianHusky · 21/05/2025 20:10

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wtf? sick

Iwantaparkingspacenow · 21/05/2025 20:09

What a stupid comment.

The longer you breastfeed your child, the better according to the World Health Organisation.

However, until a child is six maybe pushing it. 😏

damndamn · 21/05/2025 20:09

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Bubbinsmakesthree · 21/05/2025 20:09

6 is very unusual admittedly but with extended breastfeeding you dont just wake up one day and think “they are too old, this is weird!” because they are only a day older than the last time they fed.

I breastfed one of mine to nearly 3, which while much more in the normal range I never expected to do. And looking back at pictures from that age I think now “I can’t believe I was still breastfeeding him then, he was so big!”. But it felt totally natural at the time because it is just one more day after the last day.

SiberianHusky · 21/05/2025 20:08

I remember telling my English dentist who was going to prescribe me some antibiotics that I'm breastfeeding my (then) 11 months old and he turned around and said: you're stopping soon? This was 2010 so not ages ago. So the 'even 18 months istoo old to breastfeed' is an attitude I have definitely encountered. I think they have some complex around sexualising breasts and breastfeeding.

WhatNoRaisins · 21/05/2025 20:08

I think mums should feed how they want but it's really depressing hearing people calling others feeding choices gross.

LondonLady1980 · 21/05/2025 20:08

flufffffy · 21/05/2025 20:05

This really happened and I don’t know what to think. I’m not making it up for fun, I just really want to talk about it to help me work out what to think!

My first instinct was to be grossed out, but I don’t know if I’m being too influenced by the formula narrative or sterile sensibilities or something. So I want to ask the internet if my instinct is wrong!

Also, I don’t want to gossip about it in real life because it feels like something the girl could get teased about, but I really want to talk about it to figure out what I think about it!

I told DH who was a bit “that’s strange” and then went on a work call. So mumsnet it is!

Show quote history

Why on earth do you care so much?!

You are MASSIVELY and unnecessarily other-thinking this.

Why do you have to “work out” what to think?

Why do you need to think anything?

HundredPercentUnsure · 21/05/2025 20:08

@Millie90 NHS recommend BF to age 2 and beyond.

You realise why milk teeth are called milk teeth right? And what age do they start falling out....?

I wouldn't be comfortable BF a 6yo myself but I wouldn't judge a mother that did. Natural term weaning is typically between age 2-7y.

Whiteflowerscreed · 21/05/2025 20:06

I wouldn’t personally breastfeed and 6 yo but if others do then it’s not my business. Not my circus not my monkeys. Families do what’s right for them

Original poster
flufffffy · 21/05/2025 20:05

Calliopespa · 21/05/2025 19:57

These big babies on the boobs threads are coming thick and fast.

This really happened and I don’t know what to think. I’m not making it up for fun, I just really want to talk about it to help me work out what to think!

My first instinct was to be grossed out, but I don’t know if I’m being too influenced by the formula narrative or sterile sensibilities or something. So I want to ask the internet if my instinct is wrong!

Also, I don’t want to gossip about it in real life because it feels like something the girl could get teased about, but I really want to talk about it to figure out what I think about it!

I told DH who was a bit “that’s strange” and then went on a work call. So mumsnet it is!

OP posts:
Dreichweather · 21/05/2025 20:04

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The WHO recommend feeding until at least 2 years. What is it about 18 months which you think is ridiculous?

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.

Indigopetal · 21/05/2025 20:03

Honestly it's one of those things that I know I shouldn't be judging or bothered about but I think inside I'd absolutely be judging and cringing at a six year old being breastfed. I know we're not meant to judge and find these things natural but the thought of a six year old hanging and sucking at my boobs gives me the major ick. Who's benefit is it for?

SiberianHusky · 21/05/2025 20:03

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Porn has really done a number on you, breastfeeding is not gross.

damndamn · 21/05/2025 20:02

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Createausernameplease · 21/05/2025 20:02

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Aren’t you a ray of judgemental sunshine

OnePiece23 · 21/05/2025 20:02

I think it's weird even at 4

Going to school and still being on the tit is wild to me

Createausernameplease · 21/05/2025 20:01

Not your kid, not your issue. I breastfed till 2 and had no issue. My child goes to school with a child who is 4 and still feeds. Way I see it is not my child, not my boobs, not my issue

stargirl1701 · 21/05/2025 20:01

That’s natural term, OP.

My DD2 was five and half. She has ever so fond memories of breastfeeding.

ButteryLightHouse · 21/05/2025 20:01

Well I fed my DD until she was 3 and a half-ish. She has vague memories. So I don't think the fact they can/will remember is a reason to stop.
But yeah I'm with you, breastfeeding a 6 year old makes me feel uncomfortable

SiberianHusky · 21/05/2025 20:00

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What's your problem Millie

Nurseryquestions86 · 21/05/2025 20:00

Most people in real life will think this is strange and I certainly wouldn't do it but this is MN so I'm sure there will be people coming along telling us it's completely normal.

doodahdayy · 21/05/2025 20:00

LondonLady1980 · 21/05/2025 19:57

Is there something wrong with a child having memories of being breastfed?!

I didn’t realise this was a red flag for causing childhood trauma…..

I have memories of seeing my parents naked and that’s horrific enough. I’m pretty sure memories of being breastfed would be disgusting to me.