What do you think is the UPPER age to be still breastfeeding or bottlefeeding?

[RTKangaMummy]

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What do you think is the UPPER age to be still breastfeeding or bottlefeeding?

I asked it on the other thread but no one is answering me so thought would ask again on another thread

They are going to be discussing it on THIS MORNING at 12 noon today.

I am surprized if children are still being fed with bottles and breast

AFTER 4 or 5 years

I believe in breast is best but why do they still need it when they are at school?

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It was me who said about the 11 year old boy and I can't substantiate it JT as I didn't tape it It was years ago, don't know how many, on GMTV, interviewed by Fiona whatsit and the doctor. Just remember being very very shocked. Can't believe I am the only one who watches GMTV and remembers this? But it is very rare obviously which is why it was so shocking.

I would have thought in some ways it would be harder for a child to give up bottles because of the portability reason I mentioned below. Logically why should they change from a bottle to a training cup - they both provide liquids so I can see why the child would resist the change.

Breastfed babies obviously eventually move onto drinking from cups and there is less hassle involved because breastfeeding is so different from drinking for a cup or any container for that matter. My children have quickly learned that it's something that you only do in a certain place at a certain time, usually evenings/bedtime. I only remember having to rush off a few times with ds to a private place when I was out in public.

I can understand that breastfeeding can be 'icky' - some people don't even like the idea of a newborn breastfeeding so I can imagine that a 2 year old would be just the same, but its one of those things that you get used to. Each to their own.

There's a big difference between a 2 year old and an 11 year old of course.

Did anyone hear that prog on Radio 4 the other day about breast cancer. Apparently the role of breastfeeding has been documented for centuries due to the high incidence of cancer among nuns in Italy. Cancer rates have risen largely because we breastfeed for a much shorter time which is also compounded by the few children we have. Apparently it is best for our bodies to have 5 children and breastfeed each one for 2 years (2 years wasn't uncommon so long ago).

Obviously 5 children isn't something most of us want but it certainly isn't doing any harm to breastfeed the one or two children we do have for longer than 2 years and may even do some good.