So today I learned that gorillas nurse their young until they are 3 or 4....

[georgimama]

That's it really. Was at Bristol Zoo and the lovely keeper gave a talk about all their gorillas. They have a 23 month old baby and he is still nursing and apparently will continue to do so until he is about 3 or 4.

I just thought that was lovely. Seriously cute gorilla baby.

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

I'm not surprised gorillas get pnd, what with all that unnecessary breastfeeding they do in the developed zoos.

[georgimama]

And his mother had PCOS, she couldn't conceive so they gave her drugs (Colmid or Metformin I presume, there were loads of cubs around so I didn't like to ask) and then she had him.

[expatinscotland]

'I'm not surprised gorillas get pnd,'

all the more reason to send them the way of the dodo bird.

[hunkermunker]

I've collected some links about natural term breastfeeding in humans here and written about my own experience.

I wonder whether those who think breastfeeding isn't "necessary" past whatever arbitary age their own taste allows do other things with their children that aren't strictly "necessary"?

[georgimama]

Bless you Hunker, that is a lovely article on primates and a lovely page on your blog.

[morocco]

gorillas don't let their babies self wean though, they decide they've had enough one day and then just push their babies/toddlers away for a few days and leave them crying

another factoid (well, so that Jane whatsername said, I seem to remember)

[Rhubarb]

It isn't necessary because our children are not going to die once they are off the breast.

In developing countries, in medieval times, in the animal kingdom there is much more of a risk of the child eating or drinking dirty and contaminated food or water. Therefore the longer you bf the safer it is and as the child gets older their immunity gets stronger. Also you have to take into account the scarecity of food, another good reason to bf for as long as possible.

In this country food is plentiful. A child will not be lacking in nutrients and there is not such a risk of contamination.

Therefore it is not necessary to bf beyond the age of 1, it is a choice. Those who choose to bf beyond this age don't do it because of necessity.

(has no-one mentioned the Little Britain sketch yet? - "bitty!")

[Caz10]

Can't believe I'm going to get into this, when all I should really do is say U think gorillas are v v cute, but...
rhubarb - just because it is a choice rather than a necessity, why does that make it bad thing?
We make lots of choices for our dcs that are not necessities, but no-one gets all flustered about our other choices!

[hunkermunker]

Rhubarb, I do lots of things that aren't necessary with the boys, because they enjoy them or because they would be miserable if I didn't.

I wasn't aware that the things you do as a parent ought to be strictly limited to "things you do because they'd die if you didn't", so I'm sure that's not what you're saying?

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

That only covers nutrition. THere are many positives to b/feeding and it isnt always about food and hygiene.

I dont think anyone has any comprehension just yet as to how much our increasing culture of detaching from our babies has an effect on them, and into adulthood.

[hunkermunker]

You get your 2yo in fits of giggles over what Daddy milk might be, for a start - he finally decided "Daddy milk in a cup from the fridge"

[ThingOne]

Somebody asked about the mummy gorilla still feeding at 23 months when there is a baby too. It's another gorilla's baby. One Big Daddy, two mummies, one toddler and a baby .

[edam]

expat - yes, think you are right about Juliet and her mother. And Juliet is supposed to marry Paris at 13 too. So in those days, you married ten years after weaning... better start saving for ds's wedding in five year's time then!

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Ah, see now DD asked her daddy why he had boobs

[Aitch]

dh has convinced dd1 that hot chocolate comes from his right nip and coca cola from the left. but it's just for boys...

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Does DH realise that one is going to come back and bit him in the arse? When DD starts reception

[hunkermunker]

DH'll get a big shock if DS2 ever meets DD1, Aitch - he likes coke (he told me today [sigh]). And has been known to demand "a nice cuppa tea".

[ilovemyghds]

Gorillas are so lovely - how can anyone think they are not gorgeous! OP - did not know they nursed for that long.

Not so keen on chimps though - or the ones with the red bottoms [ignorant of monkey breeds emoticon].

[Simplysally]

Orangutans?

[expatinscotland]

'Gorillas are so lovely - how can anyone think they are not gorgeous!'

Because they're not.

They're vile.

Chimps are even worse.

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Baboons.....

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder expat.

[Simplysally]

I'd rather see primates than snakes or reptiles.

Please don't tell me how long snakes feed their young for .

[Reallytired]

I haven't seen a gorilla nurse, but I have seen a chimpanese nurse a two year old.

They don't seem to worry about teeth like humnas do. I suppose the chimp is quite prepared to smack the child if it dares bites the nipple.

[expatinscotland]

I'd especially love to see baboons annhilated, VVV.

Also monkey, particularly macaques.

[edam]

What's with the hostility to our nearest relatives, expat, were you scared in your crib by Jane Goodall, or something?!