Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think their is NOTHING wrong with extended breastfeeding or wet nursing?

511 replies

Thisisaname · 10/02/2013 16:33

Look at the comments below

I was researching extended breastfeeding and came across this.
I see nothing wrong with this, I wouldn't be 'scared' for life if I could remember being breast fed or found out I was given someone else's milk.
I think the only 'scarring' would come from going from the natural environment of being fed from something to then finding out a large majority find it sexual, not the actual feeding itself.

OP posts:
DontEvenThinkAboutIt · 10/02/2013 22:21

I don't dissaprove of EBF but I certainly don't get it. I don't see what is wrong with stopping BF at a more 'typical' time say 9 month or a year. I dont understand why a child can't get it's comfort and loving from hugs and similar. I stopped feeding two of my DC's when they were a year (which was the current recommended time) I had only been feeding them when they woke up and last thing at night. They had forgotten about it within a couple of days. It was a complete non issue. I think it is a baby'ish habit. I would also gently dissuade the use of dummies, bottles and thumb sucking.

the houseofmirth. The world health organisation do not recommend breastfeeding until DC are 2 years old. They recommend breastfeeding for up to 2 years. As can be seen here. Hmm !!!

BertieBotts · 10/02/2013 22:22

" up to two years or beyond."

BertieBotts · 10/02/2013 22:23

Of course there is nothing wrong with stopping BF at 9 months or a year. But there is nothing wrong with carrying on either.

OHforDUCKScake · 10/02/2013 22:24

'Not what nature intended' what an odd, ironic thing to say.

Its exactly what nature intended.

Thats actually quite funny.

'Not what nature intended'

5madthings · 10/02/2013 22:25

They need it for at least a year and its recommended for two years or beyond. It has lots oif benefits and bfeeding didn't stop mine being independent, they still went to preschool etc, in fact ds2 was probably the most independent as a toddler and now at ten yes old is a well adjusted child with age appropriate independence. He can remember nursing and isn't bothered by that at all.

shallweshop · 10/02/2013 22:25

Not what nature intended for a school age child - duh!!!

EauRouge · 10/02/2013 22:26

The WHO recommendation is to continue for 2 years, and then beyond if desired, so yes it is recommended for 2 years.

A recent study showed that longer periods of breastfeeding lower the risk of ovarian cancer for the mother and it was already known that it lowered the risk of breast cancer. Really, there are lots of benefits and no drawbacks. It's not for everyone but I'm a bit Confused at why so many people seem so concerned about other women doing it.

EauRouge · 10/02/2013 22:28

'Duh'?Hmm Yes it is what nature intended. When you read the link that I posted earlier I will engage with you further.

5madthings · 10/02/2013 22:28

But it is what nature intends, the immune system is not fully developed till five six yes and bfeeding supports that. And children have milk teeth, as they l,use these they lose the ability to latch, natural weaning.

shallweshop · 10/02/2013 22:28

BF both of mine until a year old btw - agree that that is completely and utterly natural. Then they both discovered ..... food.

BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte · 10/02/2013 22:29

I tend not to waste my ire on articles like this. I'm still BFing both mine at 3.3 and 20 months and they're both sufficiently articulate and self-aware to tell me that it's what they want and to tell me when they want it..

DontEvenThinkAboutIt · 10/02/2013 22:31

This is the exact WHO recommendations. We keep getting different subtle variations.......

WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding until a baby is six months old, and continued breastfeeding with the addition of nutritious complementary foods for up to two years or beyond

So, we should BF for 6 months then we can continue for up to two years or beyond.

They have chosen their words very carefully.

5madthings · 10/02/2013 22:34

Yes mine had food as well, its recommended they have 12oz of milk a day after 12mths, so they had breast milk, human milk for a human baby! And bfeeding is not just about nutrition.

shallweshop · 10/02/2013 22:34

5madthings - am sure nature intended a lot way back when we were first created but think the real need for many things just doesn't exist in the modern day.

Eaurouge - can think of nothing I would prefer less than to engage with you further on this subject. Goodnight.

5madthings · 10/02/2013 22:35

What is a 'real need'??!

It has many benefits for mother and child, that makes it a need imo.

allwaysthebaddie · 10/02/2013 22:39

I wonder what stand a school would take if a mother wanted to go in at lunch time and nurse their 6/7 year old?

VikingLady · 10/02/2013 22:40

EBF does have a health benefit for children - see here

And I bf DD (11m) in public, mostly when she asks or to calm her down if she is upset. Not more than that as she is very lanky and it is hard to accommodate her legs! I have had very few negative reactions, but am girding my loins and preparing responses for later!

I plan to feed her myself for as long as she wants it. It is mainly for her benefit, though I do enjoy it - and fail to see why that should be wrong! Why shouldn't I enjoy it? Am I only supposed to do the aspects of parenting that make me suffer? It is enjoyable for a reason - to ensure the continuation of the species. I like cuddling DD too - is that wrong, as I enjoy it and it feels nice?

VisualiseAHorse · 10/02/2013 22:40

I wouldn't mind being a paid wet-nurse. In fact, I don't think I can think of a better job.

I stopped breast feeding when my LO was 8 months - I would've been happy to continue until at least a year, but it didn't work out that way. Not sure I'd want to BF past the age of about 3 though, but that's personal preference. I do find BF kids aged 4 and above a bit odd.

EauRouge · 10/02/2013 22:40

The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months- that is the baby gets breast milk and nothing else and then breastfeeding continues alongside complementary food up to the age of 2 years or beyond.

DefiniteMaybe · 10/02/2013 22:44

Fadbook, my dd is 18 months and we still feed in public. Where and when she asks unless its not convenient. I can't say I've ever noticed anyone giving me looks not that I care anyway

DontEvenThinkAboutIt · 10/02/2013 22:45

EauRouge. You are still not quoting the WHO recommendations correctly it says

.......for up to two years or beyond.

I bet they have choosen those words very carefully.

DefiniteMaybe · 10/02/2013 22:45

And to all the people who think it has no nutritional benefit after x age, how many of you still drink udder milk?

DontEvenThinkAboutIt · 10/02/2013 22:46

EauRouge

Blush Sorry, please ignore my last post as I had not read your post properly. Apologies....
fraktion · 10/02/2013 22:49

I BF my 21month old in public on planes and trains. It's that to keep him calm/distract/deal with pressure changes or have him scream. Funnily enough most people when given the choice will take BFing. Very few people have ever commented.

I really don't think it's an issue for mothers because as someone else said upthread you're doing today what you did yesterday. For people who are seeing for the first time I understand it might be shocking.

OHforDUCKScake · 10/02/2013 22:50

I dont drink cows milk, nothing dairy in me.

But why would that make a difference?

Swipe left for the next trending thread