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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

So is it just me who has viscerally negative reactions to talk about breastfeeding 4 or 5 year olds

757 replies

TwigorTreat · 27/10/2007 18:46

Now look I know its different strokes for different folks and I am not judging anyone as I know logically that its fine and anyone who does is doing what they deem their very best for their own children.

But I am talking about a experiencing a sense of distaste that I cannot help. I do have a negative and almost physical reaction to the thought of breastfeeding my 3 year old let alone an older child. And I have discussed this before when it came to extending breastfeeding for my own child beyond 6 months and with the discussion was capable of making it past that psychological barrier to 11 months.

Perhaps the thought of having a reasonable discussion over this particular reaction is just a step too far for us on Mumsnet. But I thought I'd give it a go anyway .. what, with it being Saturday and all that.

Anyone who experiences the same sense of negativity will no doubt need to gulp down hard before adding to this discussion. Just as anyone who is on the 'other side of the fence' will need to take copious amounts of oxygen into their system to calm down before posting .. I hope both sides do though... it could be interesting and educational

OP posts:
workstostaysane · 29/10/2007 19:27

have not read all 27 pages of this thread. but where did bf-ing longer than 2yrs 'keeps the child baby-like' come from? i thought the scientific fact that bf-ing longer keeps a child healthier and protects both mother and child from lots of nasty diseases was common knowledge. isn't bf-ing longer the informed choice?
has this been said before? sorry if so

policywonk · 29/10/2007 19:30

Bless you (in a strictly non-religious manner), beautifuldays and VVV. I am genuinely intrigued by this but don't quite know what to do about it! Maybe I should express some and slip it into her yoghurt or summat...

VeniVidiVickiQV · 29/10/2007 19:38

I dont know! I dont know in what context the b/milk is supposed to fight it.

Perhaps someone could enlighten us?

popsycal · 29/10/2007 20:06

I seem to have agreed with lots of points on this thread from both sides of the fence, but I agree most of all with VVVVVV (how many Vs in your name again ?):

I honestly feel, having listened to the comments of those who have aired a distaste/aversion/dislike/lack of understanding of breastfeeding beyond the age of, say 2 years, that they will never know or understand unless they actually end up doing it themselves. There is no sudden realisation that you are b/feeding an older child. It just happens.

That sums up the whole thing for me TBH.

popsycal · 29/10/2007 20:07

Just to add - the article about breast milk fighting the cancer cells was amazing. DH is currently upstairs on the PC researching this information.....

VeniVidiVickiQV · 29/10/2007 20:18

Only 4

Thank you popsy.

policywonk · 29/10/2007 20:22
popsycal · 29/10/2007 20:25

Mr POpsy is now asleep with ds1

popsycal · 29/10/2007 20:27

You know, my whole Breastfeeding A Child thing reminds me of Ross from Friends. There is an episode where he finds out his sister, Monica, with sleeping with his best friend, Chandler (stay with me on this one ). Let me find a clip. Hold on before you think I am totally bonkers

policywonk · 29/10/2007 20:27

Awwww.

POKE HIM

(Not really )

Heathcliffscathy · 29/10/2007 20:29

wow that article about breast milk and cancer is amazing!!!

might i humbly suggest that those that express an aversion to ebf would have their eyes and minds opened by this excellent book

VeniVidiVickiQV · 29/10/2007 20:30

I know exactly the scene you mean!

"my sister awww. and my best friend grrr. But my sister and my best friend awww"

yes?

Original poster
TwigorTreat · 29/10/2007 20:32

Please don't quote things like 'breast milk helps fight cancer' without sourcing it .. I can find no relevant research to back up this claim .. please supply the research without which it's just a story

OP posts:
popsycal · 29/10/2007 20:32

That is the one VVVV (just 4 )
looky here

He says 'My best friend and my sisters' twice. Substitute those words with 'I am breastfeeding an almost three year old' and you will have it.

I think I have finally lost it

policywonk · 29/10/2007 20:36

this link Twig. No idea whether it holds water.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 29/10/2007 20:43

My visceral reaction is that it is true, twig

I always used to use b/milk to get rid of conjunctivitis. Always worked a treat. Also on cuts grazes or sores on my DCs. It truly is magical stuff.

Of course, you'll just have to take my word for that....

policywonk · 29/10/2007 20:45

hahaha

DP has conjunctivitis at the mo', the eye drops aren't working. Shall I stand over him and give him a squirt?

popsycal · 29/10/2007 20:50

it works, policywonk. I have done it too.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 29/10/2007 20:58

Yes! Do it!

I did it to DP - he was very squeamish about it actually, but it blardy did work!

oliveoil · 29/10/2007 21:03

oh, grrr, I saw this thread the other night and it had only just started

but dd2 my pita child angel woke up and whinged so I was dragged away

and now it is at 694 posts

but anyway, I am not bothered how long people feed for tbh

but my friends that have fed until 3 or whatever have wanted to stop but their child didn't want to

not sure if this is the usual experience but is my knowledge of erm, 4 people , so obviously not a scientific survey or anything...

Heathcliffscathy · 29/10/2007 22:18

read the article twig

breastmilk is massively effective on conjunctivitis.

right. my first post was ignored.

and my fresh milk book post is being ignored

lucky i'm so thinskinned insensitive

VeniVidiVickiQV · 29/10/2007 22:25

OH i had a quick look soph. It's just I have the attention span of a gnat sometimes

ScaremyVile · 29/10/2007 22:55

I remember your first post Sophable....I thought "well, that's gawn and killed it" (I'm winking, but it's true).

I didn't really see how your post was that different to those who would say "eugh, bfing a 3yo is perverted" in that you were also making a link with eroticism, even though you, of course, were coming at it from an entirely different, positive angle, but all the same it is something that those trying explain what ebf is all about were trying to put to rest.

Basically, I'm saying (very badly - bed calls) that I thought your post would have been taken by the 'pervy' brigade as some kind of affirmation of their suspicions.

robinredbreast · 29/10/2007 23:05

whats up with you twig and others how sad that you think the natural way our bodies are designed to feed our children is viewed as odd, poor you i wonder how you come up with such conclusions?

the way you fel about extended bf is prob the way the majority of people feel about bf.
how v v sad

ScaremyVile · 29/10/2007 23:11

PW - I vote for you inviting your mum over for an extended visit and insisting on making her a nice milky ovaltine every evening! (BTW your boys are thoroughly gorgeous)