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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Finally, it's happened to me ...

16 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2005 12:38

The other day, I was speaking to a dad at our local library toy thing. I'd seen him around a few times, so was talking to him about our parent-run nursery etc etc.

Turned out they are from another area entirely, but he comes to our area with his DS, as his wife works near here. Because his DS is still breastfed, they need to be nearby for feeds.

Ok, fine.

The child was two.

I mean, I'm not shocked by someone breastfeeding a two-year-old, god knows. But a two-year-old who needs bf that often! (I did meet an American woman whose son didn't eat solids until 14 months. But 14 months and 2 years are different things!) He apparently "hasn't taken" to solids. I don't think I expressed my ... shock? surprise? I certainly didn't say anything.

But I finally understand how other people feel when I say I'm still bf DS2 (14 months) and they give me a slightly goggly look.

OP posts:

AwayInAMunker · 01/12/2005 12:41

How often is he feeding?

wewishyouamerryKITTYmas · 01/12/2005 12:45

I'm going to be totally honest, I fed DD for a year but she's now 16 mo and I couldn't imagine feeding her now. Maybe it's because we stopped before she was walking but I can't imagine her running up for a feed now.

I think there is nothing wrong with feeding beyond a year btw, I think it's no ones else business if you feed for one day or 5 years, it's your body and your child!

A 2 year old not taking to solids does sound a bit odd though.

Original poster

NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2005 12:48

I didn't ask how often he was feeding, I was a bit freaked out. I didn't want to express my "ewww", so I didn't get too involved in that part of the conversation, to be frank.

Absolutely, it's their choice to do what they want, I have no issue with however long anyone feeds, I just expect breast milk, past the first year or so, to be a bit of an "extra", not a main food source (except when ill). That's probably unreasonable of me, kids are all different.

OP posts:

wessexgirl · 01/12/2005 13:17

My best friend still breastfeeds her 22 m.o. son quite often, wherever they happen to be. She also still gives him night feeds.

In her case, he is very small for his age and I think she's terrified that if she stops he will shrink. He's fine with solids but because an HV gave her a hard time about his weight she can't stop topping him up with breastmilk.

Original poster

NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2005 13:21

You know, it's totally fine for people to keep breastfeeding kids of whatever age, whatever circumstances.

It just seems rough that this guy had to trek all over the place following his wife because their two-year-old won't eat or drink other stuff!

He seemed quite big, their kid. Robust and healthy.

The dad, however, looked like death warmed over. And has, every other time I've seen him.

(I do still bf my 14-month-old all over the place, but I'm trying to cut down, as I don't enjoy being pawed at all the time.)

OP posts:

starlover · 01/12/2005 13:25

what's the problem? someone still bf their child when necessary... so?

starlover · 01/12/2005 13:26

if the mum and the child both enjoy it i really don't see a problem tbh

walkinginawinterBundleland · 01/12/2005 13:27

NQC, I think the key here is the lack of eating of solids at two years of age. hunger is obviously being suppressed by high volume of milk being drunk, it's a common issue that a GP friend of mine sees (though it's usually formula). My personal "ewww" is the pawing, esp when child older (say from 3 onwards, my own "tolerance" has changed over the years, and me and dd2 feed just some mornings/evenings now. she's 2.5)

Original poster

NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2005 13:29

starlover, I really don't see a problem. I didn't say anything bad to the guy. Really. Their kid, their choice.

I mostly just posted on here to share my ... discomfort with the situation, and my surprise that I'd found a situation that made me uncomfortable.

OP posts:

blueshoes · 01/12/2005 13:40

2 year old not eating solids? Hmmm, can't get my head around that.

starlover · 01/12/2005 13:44

no-one said the kid doesn't eat solids... just that he hasn't "taken" to them... taht might just mean he is very picky!

walkinginawinterBundleland · 01/12/2005 13:45

probably not picky, just full of milk

harpsiheraldangelssing · 01/12/2005 13:45

NQC maybe the father needs topping up then

harpsiheraldangelssing · 01/12/2005 13:45

NQC maybe the father needs topping up then

starlover · 01/12/2005 13:47

oh for goodness sake... none of you even know how many feeds the child has or what he eats!

Original poster

NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2005 13:54

You're right. But it's not like we're about to intervene in the situation, anyway.

A BFC friend had a friend who was strict Muslim. At two, her son had also not really taken to solids, but of course bf past two is against the rules, so she had to stop. Apparently this was hard for both of them.

OP posts:

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