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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

channel 4 breastfeeding programme

816 replies

lazycow · 23/01/2006 14:20

Just thought people might be interested if you don't already know.

Channel 4 on Weds 1 Feb. A programme called Extraordinary Breastfeeding is on. The write up in the magazine I'm looking at says:

"You'll be texting your friends about this as soon as it starts. It's about the phenomenon of mothers who breastfeed their kiddies well beyond the age considered 'normal' in this country. Seeing a feisty mum breastfeed her two-year-old twin isn't that disturbing, but the sequence of another lady suckling her 7 year old dughter isn't one we will forget in a hurry. "

I'm looking forward to seeing the tone it takes.

OP posts:
Original poster
lazycow · 23/01/2006 16:31

I don't know what I think about bfing a 7 year old or a 10 year old. So at what age is it unacceptable then? I don't really want a debate on this now as I'm sure it has been had before on MN.

The point I'm making is that you can be absolutely sure that most people who have not bf or been around people who bf have never had that conversation and even many women who have bf have never had that conversation. Without that sort of conversation and debate on a wider scale we will never reach the point where bf until 12 months or 2 years (take your pick) is the mimimum most people do and where doing more than that is not seen as weird but just a choice some women/families make.

OP posts:
harpsichordcarrier · 23/01/2006 18:20

don't apologise lazycow I have a ridiculous posting name and only myself to blame...
funnily enough the "extended" bf issue is the reason I got sucked into mumsnet. I stumbled in on a debate at he end of July and I was shocked - I mean shocked rigid at how strongly people feel about it, and some of the attitudes expressed. I had no idea I was so weird....

here it is but it's quite long....

CarolinaMoon · 23/01/2006 18:27

isn't it a bit odd that a child should ask to be bfed as a birthday present? Am I the only one who finds that strange?

JoolsToo · 23/01/2006 18:46

no you're not

cod · 23/01/2006 18:48

Message withdrawn

cod · 23/01/2006 18:48

Message withdrawn

FrannytheQuinoaEater · 23/01/2006 18:55

Cod. Is there anyone left on MN who you don't think is barking?

expatinscotland · 23/01/2006 18:56

Well, bfing a 7 year old as a present is barking.

harpsichordcarrier · 23/01/2006 18:58

cod stop worrying about loony extended bfeeders and get on your potty training thread and HELP ME pls...

Blu · 23/01/2006 19:02

Lazycow - thank you - I will watch it with an open mind.
Wouldn't miss the following day's MN for anything!

LOL Franny

FrannytheQuinoaEater · 23/01/2006 19:03

No, I think a society being so hung up about breastfeeding, that the idea of a child that can walk or talk still wanting to do it is only slightly disturbing, is barking.

Children love breastfeeding. They bloody love it. Older kids who remember how lovely it was still like the idea of it - why is that hard to understand?

harpsichordcarrier · 23/01/2006 19:08

franny do you remember that old thread
my first introduction to mn and this particular gem from hunker:

"And if it turns people's stomachs, they can just f* off."

pupuce · 23/01/2006 19:10

I think I know who Veronika is
Here is an interesting article on extended breastfeeding
If you are against it - please read it

FrannytheQuinoaEater · 23/01/2006 19:22

This thread and the hospital myths thread have really depressed me, actually. More than I can say.

JoolsToo · 23/01/2006 19:37

"How long is the longest you would consider nursing your baby?"

and there you have it - in a nutshell - BABY

Babies are breastfed not children. I see no compelling evidence that breast feeding a child to 7 or 10 years carries any magnificent health benefit to that child.

I defend until the last your right to choose to feed your child beyond babyhood and I defend my right to say it's odd

pupuce · 23/01/2006 19:42

Joolstoo.... but why would the milk of a cow be better for your health than the milk of your own species?

JoolsToo · 23/01/2006 19:48

I ain't disputing breast milk is best for baby - no question - but we all turn to milk sooner or later - cows, goats or soya

Do you suggest we always drink breast milk - from the cradle to the grave?

emkana · 23/01/2006 19:49

"Baby" - yes, that's what we have been led to believe in this country (and other western states) - go to other countries and they certainly would not say that only babies need breastfeeding - shall I just throw in that old thing about the average age for weaning being four worldwide?

emkana · 23/01/2006 19:50

There are many who would say that we don't actually need to drink any milk after a certain age. Nobody in my family drinks cow's milk, we just have it for cooking and cereals.

emkana · 23/01/2006 19:52

benefits of extended b/feeding

cod · 23/01/2006 19:52

Message withdrawn

pupuce · 23/01/2006 19:52

Spot on Emkana.... do we need to drink milk of any kind... again it's a cultural thing.... they don't in MANY parts of the world!

emkana · 23/01/2006 19:54

Actually I always think that if it was possible to sell breastmilk with all its health benefits then adults would pay a premium price for it.

harpsichordcarrier · 23/01/2006 19:55

wouldn't care if you fed your dh or not cod
each to his own

morningpaper · 23/01/2006 19:57

At the end of the day, we have been brainwashed into thinking that BREASTS=SEX. That's what our discomfort comes down to. That's why we don't like a 7 year old breastfeeding. We can't believe it's truly innocent.

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