I still breastfeed my 5 year-old

[TandemFeeder]

I’ve had another baby too so am now a tandem feeder. Happy to answer any questions.

To promote it? Because there are so many negative or uneducated opinions out there. Promoting breastfeeding isn’t wrong. There are adverts on tv for formula and follow on milk and we accept them. Someone advocating for natural-term breastfeeding should be just as welcome. All types feeding and support of our children should be welcome.

Finding something weird does not mean you sexualise it. I don’t want my mum to wipe my bum, not because I’d find it sexual but because it’s fucking weird.

And my 10yr old has a load of her milk teeth too - so will you continue?

By 3 years they will definitely not want to still be in nappies

That is absolutely appalling if so.

I don't think this is true, at least according to the WHO.

At age 5? Yeah they aren’t bullied. 5 year olds do not care or have any interest in that. The only reason a 5 year old would be teasing would be if they are offspring of a nasty household, and that’s putting it kindly. Why would you be teaching 5 year olds that it’s ever ok to be unkind?

I also know someone who remembers and says it was like a million of the best hugs and kisses..

Can’t imagine an adult saying this. In fact I can’t imagine anyone saying this.

Im in suffolk and i know of a woman that does the same thing constant banging on how shes breastfeeding a school age child.

But both very western lens - boobs are for sex and we have to separate and be individuals asap

We never ever encourage DC to keep secrets from anyone. I fear if your child doesn't keep this to themselves and tells their friends, they'll be tortured for the rest of their school days. Of course bullying is wrong, but you will never persuade me this wouldn't happen. On these grounds alone I'd stop before DC began school.

@Noluthando Nappies are very very normal at 3!!! Well within development norms.

Open your mind! Many countries would have to do this as there isn’t a glut of food available like in the west

It’s a child. And I wiped my grandmothers bottom when she was poorly and I’d do it again. It wasn’t weird at all, it was supporting her when she needed. Breastfeeding older children can give them important nutrients and comfort. It’s not weird, you just make it weird in your head because you don’t want to give it a chance to understand it.

I reckon if we fed kids out our fingers you wouldn’t have a problem. You think it’s weird because it’s breasts - aka, sexual.

@TandemFeeder does your eldest ever get jealous of the baby?

Do your friends/family know you bf the eldest? And if so are they judgemental?

Breast milk for a five year old has a lot of sugar in it.

Sorry your wrong i know of a family that still have a 5 and 4 year old in nappies.
Parenting today some are mental.

Are you trained in safeguarding? Because you sound like some busy body who thinks they know and understand safeguarding but actually doesn’t.

Again, a single source, ideally KCSIE, that highlights extended breast feeding as a safeguarding concern ever. Or indeed any research that makes it a red flag. Indeed research shows extended feeding makes it less likely the child will experience maternal neglect.

To save you some time, it’s not covered in KCSIE or extended designated safeguarding lead training. Nor is there any evidence to link extended feeding with child abuse. Weirdly your obsession that it is is actually a concern.

Was just going to say this myself!!

All children will naturally self-wean when young. They all naturally move out of nappies too.

We push these developmental milestones before the child does because society isn’t really set up for communities and mums to be around enough to allow children to go at their own pace.

It’s interesting that some people think that kids won’t do these things without parents driving it.

It’s like learning to sit up and crawl etc. They don’t need to be taught that either.

Sorry but I disagree. Of course she can take a risk and a chance. But all unnecessary.

https://www.bmj.com/rapid-response/2011/10/28/humans-are-primates-designed-breastfeed-years-not-months

You can disagree all you want but you’re wrong. This is your own bias coming though.

So does the milk from a four legged animal!

They won't need to hear about it, they will vividly remember sucking on their mother's nipples. It will be hugely damaging to them. Sometime around 2 is ideal to stop breastfeeding. Unless I suppose the milk is expressed if you believe the milk is still needed. Which it isn't.

Why does that matter? We evolved with limited access to resources. Ergo it's biologically normal and not something to get weird about. No evidence for any harms whatsoever. So anyone has an issue with it, that's about their own hangups. I appreciate this is an AMA but I'm a bit surprised at the extremely negative responses to a personal choice that doesn't feel like a big deal either way to me. If we were talking about breastfeeding a teenager, then yes that is developmentally inappropriate but six is still fully a child. Not an issue.