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

[lisalisa]

Message withdrawn

Bitty was already mentioned earlier by a poster who said that bf an older child reminded her of that.

M2PW, so much of what you said has been said seriously by people on these threads before though

Is it a benefit for the child? I thought it didn't matter how long you fed for.

I'm chuckling at the idea of breastfeeding more for my needs than for my child's - as if he would have stopped at any time so far without a huge struggle! If you knew my son you would see my point. The idea of me persuading him to carry on for my sake is quite funny. Of course there are undeniable benefits to the mother in health terms - helps protect against various sorts of cancer etc. Can't really imagine anyone doins it for that reason, however.

I was interested to read one poster's opinion that most extended breastfeeders are not feeding on demand - this has not been the case in my experience. I don't mean that we are whipping them out at the tiniest little squeak, or breastfeeding round Sainsburys, but it is certainly more than just morning and night. Mind you, most of the mothers I know have 2 year olds as I do. Perhaps it is different when they are 3 or 4. I would certainly attempt to distract my son from feeding in public, unless he was very upset, when it would just be easier and more discreet to let him have a quick feed. At home or at friends, though, he would normally ask to feed anywhere from 0 to 6 times a day, other than at bedtimes, depending on what we are doing, how he was feeling etc. Can't see why I would limit something so useful and pleasant for him to morning and night, but that's just me.

Finally, I know I'm not the only one who dislikes the term "extended breastfeeding". What is a more child-friendly term for it? I asked a friend of mine, in mock horror, "You do know you're officially into extended breastfeeding, don't you, now X has turned one?" She said "I know I've got extended breasts, that's for sure." ROFL!

hunker - really? i didnt know that! i guess i kind of thought i have been posting here for so long now that you all know me and can tell when i am joking. i thought i made a lighthearted post!

I dont know you and I thought your comment was in bad taste and not funny. It's implying extended feeding is sexual abuse. I see nothing amusing in that...

M2PW, yes

I did wonder when it was you who'd posted that as I normally agree with your posts, but the tit/teat debate can bring out the worst in people!

Associations between breastfeeding and sexual abuse aren't really funny. A friend who is due to take some sort of child protection course says she's heard they feel bf past some arbitrary age (2?) is unacceptable.

And I do remember reading about an American woman who had her baby taken away from her, because she called up a helpline, concerned because she found bf arousing.

Wasn't there something on here recently about how breastfeeding past the age of one was one of the "flags" used by HVs to keep an eye on families?

HM, from their perspective, that makes sense - anyone who bf past one probably hasn't been listening to their HV.

You are kidding. Jesus.

Why are people so scared of women feeding their own children in the way they choose?

NQC, does anyone ever listen to their HV?

I did, the first time around. Weaned DS1 at 16 weeks.

Oh, but I didn't give formula, despite their entreaties.

I'd have been horrified if mine had wanted to, fortunately they didn't. As far as other people go its their choice and none of my business, really. I'd still think them a bit wierd but most parents have their little peculiarities.

so i see hunker!! pistols at dawn it seems!!

hercules - unless extended feeding REALLY covers the teenage and early adulthood years, making a joke about calling in the ss is not saying breastfeeding a four year old is abuse. 4 years old is not the same as 25 years old and a joke about the possible implications of breastfeeding a teenager and older is not the same as saying that a mother who feeds her child is an abuser. crikey!

anyone else find the little britain sketches makes them cring?

M2PW, but people have also said that women who don't stop are going to be feeding teenagers, what's the difference between feeding a 4-year-old and a teenager, etc, etc, plus said vile things about bitty.

Honestly - frankly some of these women who say these things probably produce sour milk anyway, so they're probably better off not feeding their child longterm...

hunker - bloody hell!!! sour milk indeed! i guess i should spend more time reading the archives, didnt realise i had blundered blindly into a simmering pot!!!!

btw - whats bitty?

ha ha ha about sour milk - norty norty, very very norty hunkermunker!

bitty is a sketch from Little Britain, MTPW - bit cringe making, a grown up bloke says "bitty" for breast milk from his mum.

I dont get the joke, sorry. You said ss should be called in if a child is sucking it's mothers tits before starting it's homework. As kids tend to start school at 4 I dont see how your "joke" refers to teenagers/adults only.
What hass social services got to do with discusing extended bf?

I still say it was bad taste and not at all funny if meant as a joke.

I really don't see what the big deal with this is. sigh

sorry, can only say I completely agree with hunkermunker, and I find this whole argument really quite depressing.

It's plain stupid to say that they might carry on into teenagehood if they're still feeding at 4 - FFS, my 6 year old daughter still can't wipe her own bottom, but I'm not stressing that she'll still need me to do it when she's 16. My 20 months old needs to hold his cuddly whilst falling asleep - I don't think he'll still be doing that at 25, so why pick on breastfeeding?

Is it because it's do do with BREASTS, those things that some of you obviously can only see as something to titillate men with rather than also something used to feed small children?

As I'm sure you've heard from other women feeding toddlers, the idea that it's done for the mother's benefit rather than the child's is just totally, utterly ridiculous. It is done because it satisfies the child's emotional and physical need (yes, physical! Even for 2, 3 or 4 year olds breastmilk still has beneficial properties and provides a lot of immunological benefits, certainly more than cow's milk or Ribena).

It's a personal choice and quite frankly, it's not yours to pass judgement on.

geekgrrl, fantastic post!

Not just saying that cos you agreed with me, btw

No-one is passing judgement, just stating opinions imo.

What's the difference? Or is that another thread?

Surely all our opinions are based on our judgements? Or is it our judgements based on opinions?

Dammit I should be working!