AIBU to be surpised at an almost 7 year old still being breastfed?

[Toomanycuppas]

Met up for lunch with friends we rarely see last week and was not aware she was still b/f. Almost 7 year old came running back from the park, went to the mum and lifted her top up and she said "no, it's not an appropriate time for that".

I can understand that it's normal for the child but wouldn't they be teased by school friends if it's asked for/done in public?

She does come across as worryingly obsessive

And the ultra pro-breastfeeding lobby doesn't?

For fucks sakes, enough already everyone. Sheesh all this bloody hating. Pro bfeeding. Woodpile do. Does it really matter? I'll feed as long as my dc want and I don't I've a rats arse on what theirs think/judge.

Thanks whatmeworry for saying eloquently what I couldn't.

The immune system issue is interesting and yes immunity increases by being stressed that is by the individual's own antibodies learning to fight for themselves. As far as I know the child will have its own immunity and the mother's antibodies will then not be necessary.

But yes Mama - what's with all the hating? Everyone's pro breastfeeding - the details are interesting, we learn by sharing and talking. But we don't learn if we fly off the handle and take sides.

Fascile good point about cow's milk though. I think you've got me with that one!

Excellent points fascicle!

Actually pro us probreastfeeders are just passionate about how good for babies and young toddlers breastmilk/breastfeeding is. You will find that the worriyingly obsessive people are those who don't bf...

Ironic isnt it that some people don't give the fact that toddlers drink cows milk a second thought but they think that breast milk will harm their immunity...

Very odd

runningwilde there isn't anyone here that's not pro breastfeeding. There's no 'us' and 'them', but some of you seem to insist that anyone that asks questions is somehow against breastfeeding. Lighten up.

The questions about immunity are perfectly valid - they are not odd.

I am extremely light ta very much - whatmeworry makes no sense in her odd attempts and I like to call her up on it. Perfecty valid? Funny how immunity is questioned because a young child drinks breastmilk but nothing is said about young children drinking milk... Oh of course, cow's milk is far better is it?!

Invalid arguments like whatmeworry's are question and her obsessive attempts to persuade us breastmilk after a certain age is baddddd will be too

But really, it doesnt matter to me as I am very happy my children have - and are - benefitting from the benefits of being breastfed and the difference it makes. If some people want to bury their head in the sand about that to ease their own guilt then that is their problem.

to runningwilde-spendit is right- Nobody on here is saying or has said breastfeeding babies or toddlers is wrong. This thread is about feeding an almost 7 year old this way.

Whatme was pointing out that the benefits of breastmilk fade as the child gets older as a lot of their nutrition comes from elsewhere once they are around 3.

I did not see her saying anywhere that breast milk was bad for babies or that breastfeeding babies is wrong.

YouOldSlag said:

Whatme was pointing out that the benefits of breastmilk fade as the child gets older as a lot of their nutrition comes from elsewhere once they are around 3.

Whatme has not clarified the meaning of her figures, which seem to show that breastmilk makes up a declining proportion of total diet as a child ages. I'm assuming that the figures reflect the tailing off of breastfeeding as a child ages, due to the child and/or mother reducing or stopping breastfeeding as time passes, and also due to the increasing amounts of other foods included in the child's diet.

Although nobody would argue that after a relatively short period of time, breastmilk alone - or a formula alternative - can't remain the sole source of nutrition, this does not mean that breastmilk becomes nutritionally void after that period. Whatme could have posted figures about broccoli intake as a proportion of overall diet, and the percentages might (and probably would have been) very low. But that doesn't mean that broccoli is of negligible value nutritionally!

What I'm trying to say is that rates of consumption do not necessarily have anything to do with nutritional value.

Dum - are you honestly trying to say that the reason so many women ff is due to being unable to bf? What tosh. Yes, I understand that in rare cases there are reasons for not bf but in the majority of cases problem can be overcome. And yes, I do know what I am on about as I help women bf and I went through immense problems with bf myself. You may not want to hear this but in most cases it is about working through problems. I had an accquaintance who genuinely had the most terrible problems with latching so she expressed, she initially said for six months but did ten months. Do I admire her more than a mum who switches to formula? Yes, if I am being honest I do, I admire her immensely. Most problems with bf can be overcome - its called perseverance

And bf hardly ever comes 'naturally' - women just need to understand that it takes time in the majority of cases and too many women give up too soon.

Agree with Dum. Criticising mothers who tried their best is unfair. I know of two women who were determined to breastfeed and whose babies refused point blank to latch on after hours and hours of trying and working with midwives who helped etc. They were very upset and do not deserve criticism.

To be honest running- you would kind of put me off seeking help with your black and white attitude to non BFers.

I totally agree with Dum and YOS, I am a bit running that you help women bf with an outlook like that. No its not as easy as perseverance, at the end of the day everyone is different and as a mum you have to do whats best for baby and that might/might not be to continue to bf.

Whatme has not clarified the meaning of her figures, which seem to show that breastmilk makes up a declining proportion of total diet as a child ages. I'm assuming that the figures reflect the tailing off of breastfeeding as a child ages, due to the child and/or mother reducing or stopping breastfeeding as time passes, and also due to the increasing amounts of other foods included in the child's diet.

Its simpler than that - a baby needs about 100 kcal per kilo of weight, at about 6 months that's exceeding the c 500 - 600 kcal maximum a mother can provide from breast milk (hence the need for weaning) and it never goes down as the baby gains weight, so breastmilk continues to decline as a % of total calories needed as the child gains weight.

Whatme could have posted figures about broccoli intake as a proportion of overall diet, and the percentages might (and probably would have been) very low. But that doesn't mean that broccoli is of negligible value nutritionally!

That's the other point - I can replace broccoli with something/s else of similar qualities quite easily and without risk as its a low %, ditto breastmilk when it is a small % too.

Yes, DD2 choose to feed for ever. She knew exactly how to do it from the second time I tried.
Feeding her was just a world away from trying to feed DD1.
DD1 was mixed feed from two or three weeks old and never ever really got the hang of BF. By the time she was 5 months old she'd throw a major tantrum if I tried.

running I did not breastfeed ( I neither feel guilty nor inferior ).
I have however exclusively fed my children home made food - not a single jar of baby food has ever passed their lips . Jars of baby food have a high water content and much lower amounts of protein.
However , i don't criticise mothers who feed their children baby jars .
I will bet my bottom dollar that despite giving home cooked food you would rather chew your hand off than say I am worthy of being admired .
I am afraid that in the real world the stigma of FF, is not was it was which means that you really are lagging behind somewhat .
Thank god my midwives , and health visitor were more insightful than you.
Thankfully I also had a wonderful GP who advised me that due to our circumstances - it would be in the best interests of all for us to FF.
What works for the goose does not necessarily work for the gander.
Regardless of how mothers choose to feed their DC it would be far nicer if women were just more supportive and respectful of others choices .
People do what is best for their family . BF is an option it has pros and cons just like FF.

Hear hear NannyPlum!

I'm not asking anyone to feel inferior, I do wonder about the need to stress how all food was home-made etc though - healthy options are obviously important and the healthiest option of all for a baby is breastmilk.
I am simply saying I greatly admire and respect women who battle through adverse problems to bf as it is an amazing thing to do. I see it all the time and I know that in the majority of cases it absolutely is about battling through - not in every case of course, but most.

And anyway, if you don't care about my opinion then feel free to if ignore it - but I know many many women who hold this same view and they only whisper it.

I read about half way and got bored. Just want to add though, that when my mum expressed milk for me or my sister, if we didnt drink it, she gave it to the dog He was much older than 7 in dog years...

And to be honest I can't see the cons of bf at all

BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability

Running, you really need to back off with your heavy-handed advice. It can be dangerous to push breastfeeding when there is a serious problem. Sometimes babies are weak and cannot suck and equally too weak to cry for food. The mother thinks baby is feeding enough and the baby doesn't seem to have any obvious problems.

Sometimes mother nature deals us a bad hand that she can't sort out without some manmade help.

I did not breast feed. I do not feel one iota of guilt or regret about that.

It was not because they couldn't latch on or for any other reason than I did not want to breast feed.

I am not a teenager, nor uneducated, selfish, stupid, misinformed, deluded. I would say I am pretty much the opposite of all of those things (including being an old bastard).

All of my friends breast fed - two til their kids were reception age. None of them made me feel bad, not for a minute, because they knew it was fine either way and choices are choices.

How silly to think my children missed out in any way - they didn't. The proof is in the pudding.

My children are 10 and nearly 8, healthy, good weight, intelligent and sporty.

Some of the views on this thread are fucking ridiculous.