Breastfeeding till the age of 4 - what do you think?

[lisalisa]

Message withdrawn

I'm normally a fairly calm person but some of the things said on this thread have made me so that I really need a emoticon. I'm also very upset that so much misinformation is still being peddled to parents (makes me wonder if I shouldn't train as bfc myself to counteract such nonsense!!). Thank goodness for those who talk with sense and compassion - you know who you are!

Blimey, NurseyJo sounds like most HV's: totally ignorant of bf, yet totally unaware of her own woeful lack of knowledge.

OK not totally ignorant. But still more ignorant than any medical professional has a right to be.

i don't think anyone here who has spoken in favour of breast feeding has told anyone they should or they must breastfeed. Its very strange how people misinterpret things. I still think its very sad that some people think its ok to say its repellent or whatever to see toddlers bfeeding , as if its any business of theirs anyway,and alarmed that a couple of people here [tictac and nursey jo] have posted incredibly silly info as 'fact' - that's not an opinion, thats dangerous misinformation.

Ameriscot2005 you're right, the problem is with me. I get embarrased very easily.

When DD was born, i found it too embarrasing to bf in public so i took expressed milk every where!

I just can't get my head around a child that can run and play not having a beaker or cup to drink from.

A couple of my friends are still breastfeeding their children (one is 4 and the other 2) and that is their choice and their right but it does make me feel a bit uncomfortable.

incidently, a friend of mine who is a HV, thinks that you should bf as long as you are happy to.

If that means bfing a 5 year old, then so be it!

I remember feeding a toddler whilst walking along at a festival in Somerset a couple of years ago.

I found the festival environment so relaxing because it was completely the norm for women to do this. I saw plenty of others doing the same and not one single person batted an eyelid. There were smiles and looks of support. God! It felt great not to be judged. I really did enjoy NOT feeling strange or eccentric. I love that supportive atmosphere. It's so liberatiing.

I'm hoping to get to a festival this year but may have left it a little late.

But your comments about breastfeeding are simply not true. Do you accept that possibly you have been misinformed?

Have you considered what posters have said about your comments about breastfeeding not being benefical after 12 months?

Aw nurseryjo. You certainly didn't seserve a pasting. Debates on this subject are soooooo heated that people tend to pick up where they left off on a previous last debate You seemed to step right into an existing firing line. I agree you came under heavy fire and it wasn't fair.

Also though, it was Friday night and people had had a drink and were perhaps feeling emotional about this subject which seems to raise so much judgement on both sides.

I'm really sorry you feel hurt. I've felt very upset about previous threads. It can feel so personal and hurtful can't it?

I love the forum though, and don't want to curtail my usage of it, so I'm trying to get a thicker skin.

All the best and try not to let it spoil your weekend. x

I think what annoyed people was your dogmatic approach. You said you were a professional and therefore knew what you were talking about. What you said wasnt correct and in lots of peoples experiences health professionals are often misinformed about bf.

Nurseryjo don't think you deserved it either tbh. What do you do nurseryjo?

Breastmilk is nutritionally superior to any food, so of course it is good for a +12month to receive it. Sure, it may be subject to a law of diminishing return, but it's still good, and it's nigh impossible to replace the live substances in breastmilk.

Nutritional benefits are only part of it - there are emotional benefits to and I cannot fathom why any caring mother would want to deny her child of these.

But is denial the right word?
I deny my kids organic food, my time when I'm at work etc etc.

But organic food doesn't have any scientifically, peer-reviewed, benefits

Ask away. Happy to answer. I didnt see any questions.

Your 3 points is what people were asking you to do.

Are you a Health Visitor, NurseyJo?

Who are your clients?

and it's more expensive!

Which is why I don't buy it despite being a BF whatnot, homebirther etc.

I'm def not a home birther. Needed an epidural both times!