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

[lisalisa]

Message withdrawn

I must not be expressing myself very well here !
I apologise.

Suedonim - That's not fair. I know what a sports drink is. But it wasn't a sports drink.

Ruty - I didn't mean to be patronising about dirty water. I know there are many cultural reasons why breastfeeding continues, and I support that. I just meant that, in the UK, if you really want to contine bf, then that is fine, but that it is a choice rather than a need.

see this threa dis still going and people are still having personal digs if anyone posts a view they dont agree with!!!

its going around in circles!!!!
Breastfeed dont breastfeed!! your child your body do wahtever you think right

Yes and some of us are objecting to the judgemental tone about other women's choices.

And plus, in some situations it is most emphatically a need - particularly where there are allergies involved.

mandyc, if everyone took that relaxed tone, we wouldn't be arguing! I'm arguing because people (some of whom claim to be professionals, and some of whom are not mothers) are coming on here saying that other women's choices are wrong. They are part of a climate in society which mistrusts mothers to do the best for their children. And I object to it, and will keep hammering on about it whenever I come across it!

And neither are you being fair, RD. Why are you so judgemental and feel the need to question the Beckhams, and other parents decisions, when their actions have no implication for you or anyone else? That's what is unfair!

PS Why can't sports drinks be consumed from a cup instead of bottles?

I have avoided posting on this before now but just have say this to nannyjo (if she is still reading this thread) about her statement:

"I think once they are old enough to.... b) understand the booby and what it is ..."

What exactly do you think a "booby" is for? I thought their purpose was to feed & comfort my child. What exactly are you teaching the children you come in contact with about breasts? I am aware that our society does tend to view the breast as a sexual object, but for this kind of statement to come from a childcare professional disturbs and shocks me.

Why am I being accused of being judgemental ?
Everyone here is expressing their own opinion on what is o.k, what is normal, what is unusual etc etc.
The rest of the world is allowed to have an opinion on the Beckhams - can she / can't she sing - did he / didn't he with Rebecca Loos etc, etc....

But yet, I have an opinion, which is not particularly extreme and yet I am judgemental.

So why are we here discussing our different opinions ?

Because you appear to be expressing your opinion by slagging people off, thereby judging them.

RD, your tone is judgemental.

Not as judgemental and stupid as Nannyjo's of course, but then, that would be difficult.

And you're opinion is being expressed in a way which implies that the children of parents who do things differently from you, are being brought up slightly less well than your own. That is what people are finding irritating.

but ks when 'professionals' say they know what they are talking about and clearly don't i feel at least tiktok should put them right so other mothers don't suffer at the misinformation spouted to them..

well ks, they have been asked to explain their (imo) wild ideas, but aren't very forthcoming.

perhaps they've been silenced by wwb's case

I have followed many threads on MN and have never felt the urge to post...until now.

I apologise in advance if I am not accurate with who said what, it has been a very long thread!

First off the title..breastfeeding til 4...that is a personal choice/decision and everyones opionion should be respected...to a certain degree. I do not have my own children, and yes I am a nanny (children currently on a play date )

Breastfeeding is absolutley not child abuse...how on earth do you get to that conclusion?

Please do not tar all of the nannies with the same brush. I have been a nanny now for 10 years, I do not claim to be an expert in what I do, I do try and assist my employers with the children and their needs. I also try and keep up to date with any relevant information and research.

Have to admit that when first reading the posts I was more agreeable with the people who breastfed short term. Now, will hold my hand up and say that I did not know much about the benefits etc until reading this thread (only because I was curious!) I also feel that it is possible people do get mis informed, whether you are a professional/qualifed or not. Mistakes happen and it can only be good if these are brought to other peoples attention, taken on board and rectified.

As for clingyness...I personally think it has nothing to do with how a child is fed..breast of bottle. It is to do with attachment (the theorist is Bowlby if anyone is interested
and if wrong I am happy to be corrected )

Right...sorry to have gone on but needs must

A nice post, monkey

You sound open and honest, and relaxed .

My kinda nanny

ks - i see your point. ILMNuts - you are a lone star in an empty dark sky of nannies! [poor poetry apologies.]

OMG cannot believe some of the stuff on this thread, on both sides of the arguement!! Breastfeeding compared to abuse? but then on the other side of the coin, it seems that the extended b/feeders are very quick to attack anyone who slightly disagrees with them!!

It's a personal choice, its not sick or perverted, but IMO its out of the ordinary to bf beyond two years, so you are bound to get people who will say its odd.

can i just say that even though i got slated the first time i started a thread on mumsnet i think mumsnet is great!have thoroughly enjoyed reading this thread!

How Long Should I Nurse My Baby?
Prepared by Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.

Department of Anthropology,
Texas A&M University

Prepared by Kathy Dettwyler, 3-22-2004.

What do pediatric nutrition experts at the national (United States) and international levels recommend concerning how long children should be breastfed?

I. World Health Organization: ?two years of age or beyond?

www.who.int/nut/documents/gs_infant_feeding_text_eng.pdf)

Promoting appropriate feeding for infants and young children

10. Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers. As a global public health recommendation, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Exclusive breastfeeding from birth is possible except for a few medical conditions, and unrestricted exclusive breastfeeding results in ample milk production.

II. American Academy of Pediatrics: ?It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.?

aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics%3b100/6/1035)

PEDIATRICS Vol. 100 No. 6 December 1997, pp. 1035-1039
Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, by the Work Group on Breastfeeding

RECOMMENDED BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES

6. Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months after birth. Infants weaned before 12 months of age should not receive cow's milk feedings but should receive iron-fortified infant formula. Gradual introduction of iron-enriched solid foods in the second half of the first year should complement the breast milk diet. It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.

III. American Academy of Family Physicians: ?Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired. If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned.?

www.aafp.org/x6633.xml

AAFP Policy Statement on Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the physiological norm for both mothers and their children. The AAFP recommends that all babies, with rare exceptions, be breastfed and/or receive expressed human milk exclusively for about the first six months of life. Breastfeeding should continue with the addition of complementary foods throughout the second half of the first year. Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired. Family physicians should have the knowledge to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding. (1989) (2001)

AAFP, Specific section on nursing the older child:

Nursing Beyond Infancy

Breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy, but this is currently not the cultural norm and requires ongoing support and encouragement.85 Breastfeeding during a subsequent pregnancy is not unusual. If the pregnancy is normal and the mother is healthy, breastfeeding during pregnancy is the woman's personal decision. If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned. Breastfeeding the nursing child after delivery of the next child (tandem nursing) may help to provide a smooth transition psychologically for the older child.61

References cited

61. Lawrence RA, Lawrence RM. Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Professional. 5th ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 1999.

62. Powers NG, Slusser W. Breastfeeding update 2: clinical lactation management. Pediatr Rev 1997;18(5):147-161.

IV. Kathy Dettwyler?s Research: My research suggests that the normal and natural duration of breastfeeding for modern humans falls between 2.5 years at a minimum and about 7 years at a maximum.

I actually don't see much criticism of people who 'slightly' disagree with the breastfeeders, mismatch, still less 'attacking'.

There's been some hard words said to people who use their professional credentials as 'proof' of not being wrong, and I think people justifiably bristle when people sound as if they are judging other people's parenting.

But 'slight' disagreements have gone unremarked on, as far as I can see

I don't think "extended" bf-ers have attacked anyone for disagreeing with them.

But I wouldn't blame anyone for attacking someone who calls her an abuser, frankly.

RD, we do many things for our kids that they want, but don't need. My eldest son is nearly 4. He doesn't need cuddles, or kisses, or to be picked up, but I still do all these things, because he likes these things, and I like to do them. BF isn't much different, except with some interesting benefits, particularly to the immune system.

If I only did what my son needed, I could be replaced by a wire cage with a feeding trough, surely?

NQC, sometimes, that doesn't sound like such a bad idea.......

I don't actually need nice shoes.

I could wear wellies in the winter and my old school plimmies in the summer.

Ditto my kids.

yeah but tiktok my dh says that and he's not joking!