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Original poster

Views on if there's an age limit to breastfeeding in public

313 replies

Mud · 14/04/2005 20:02

I am totally for breastfeeding for as long as you are able / want to do it. So have no issues with extended breastfeeding (probably would put a cut off before 3 though)

I do however think that once a baby is no longer reliant on breast milk, and is totally weaned (probably around a year when it progresses to being a toddler) that it becomes a far more private affair between mother and toddler and should remain in the home (morning and night feeds)

So at what stage does a baby no longer need milk during the day? I think from a year. I think from a year is too old to offer a breast in public. And think especially if a toddler can walk, talk, pull up your top and accept a beaker then I think that's too old to breastfeed in public

your opinion is?

OP posts:
Original poster
Mud · 14/04/2005 20:15

OK bundle

"no longer reliant on breast milk" - what does this mean?

this means - no longer nutritionally reliant on breastmilk, I think it is fairly obvious that a fully weaned toddler is not reliant on a breastfeed at that particualr moment for its nutrional health and the breastfeed can be delayed

mother and toddler and should remain in the home (morning and night feeds)" why? how different is an 11 mth old to a 12 mth old?

Not a discrete cut-off of a year, it is just the accepted change in terminology under a year is a baby, over a year is a toddler

"So at what stage does a baby no longer need milk during the day? " - the eg in the restaurant was in the evening, i seem to remember...

yes and it was a 2 year old which would make me, a woman who has breastfed for quite a few years when you count it up look twice and actually wonder whether that should be done in public, wonder how it would make those who are not so open to breastfeeding feel?

"I think from a year is too old to offer a breast in public." again, why? if this is done discreetly who's it hurting? you cannot possibly discretely breastfeed a huge child who is hanging off your lap

OP posts:
lockets · 14/04/2005 20:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

mummytosteven · 14/04/2005 20:15

agree with Leahbump.

bobbybob · 14/04/2005 20:17

I think a year is too young to be saying they are too old (IYSWIM) at a year my ds couldn't use a beaker or sippy cup on his own, wasn't walking and only had a handful of words. He was still a baby and I fed him in public.

By about 16 months I had totally stopped feeding in public, but would still feed him his night feed if we were round at friends at that time. I would put him in PJs and brush his teeth too.

He's 25 months now and only asks at home, but if he asked when we were out I would feed him. He asks very nicely BTW, it's not all top pulling and whinging. He just says "Mummy I like side please". He even lets me choose which side. He says thank you afterwards.

I doubt anyone would notice TBH.

tamum · 14/04/2005 20:17

Agree with Thomcat, leahbump et al. Not doing anyone any harm, why impose a cut-off?

Gobbledigook · 14/04/2005 20:19

And anyway, what is wrong with sexualising breasts? Yes, they have a function as a food source but they are also a sexual characteristic - no two ways about it! In fact for the majority of a woman's life this is what they are - they are only a food source for a relatively short time. I can understand why men might find it uncomfortable - to them the only function is sexual.

bundle · 14/04/2005 20:20

"how it would make those who are not so open to breastfeeding feel? " i'm sorry, but why does it matter how other people feel about how youfeed your child? it's not like changing a pooey nappy or something which is obviously "offensive"

"I think from a year is too old to offer a breast in public." again, why? if this is done discreetly who's it hurting? you cannot possibly discretely breastfeed a huge child who is hanging off your lap " - of course you can, when you are cuddling a child you do not have to whip off your top and show the whole world what you are doing. i hardly ever feed my toddler in public but if she was v distressed/ill i wouldn't hesitate no matter what people thought of me.

thanks for your honest responses btw, but i still don't understand what it is that's making you feel like this.

morningpaper · 14/04/2005 20:20

Aw Bobby he sounds like a CUTEY!

hoxtonchick · 14/04/2005 20:21

you fed your dd2 beautifully discreetly at the tate bundle. neither mi or i batted an eyelid .

tamum · 14/04/2005 20:21

I think that's generalising rather to say that to men the "only function of breasts is sexual". To rather pathetically immature men, maybe.

cod · 14/04/2005 20:22

Message withdrawn

binkybetsy · 14/04/2005 20:22

I must admit that once they are a 'toddler' it always makes me think whose benefit is it for? Is it really for the child or for the mother? (the actual feeding from the breast, not the milk)

bundle · 14/04/2005 20:22

hc.

how's your ears?

wheresmyfroggy · 14/04/2005 20:23

Cod!!!!!

cod · 14/04/2005 20:23

Message withdrawn

bundle · 14/04/2005 20:24

why?

mummytosteven · 14/04/2005 20:24

the WHO does recommend bfing to age 2 and beyond - which I see as being a good enough argument to me for extending bfing.

hoxtonchick · 14/04/2005 20:24

much better thanks. even managed to work today . spent most of the time calculating how long it is until i go on maternity leave....

Original poster
Mud · 14/04/2005 20:24

actually I think it does matter what other people 'feel' about your actions. I think that's an important part of what makes a socieyt worth living in

also think v.distresed/ill is a different issue for a breastfed child. I think that's a needs must issue

I think it comes under the 'bitty' revulsion that is parodied in that comedy programme, I was still breastfeeding at hte time I first saw that and it really made me cringe

OP posts:
leahbump · 14/04/2005 20:25

personally I prefer privacy- but that's just because ds get's distracted.

Again , as others have said I think we need to respect others parenting choices. If I am embarresed by another parent I give the area a 'wide berth' I do not wish to impose restrictions on their personal choices- afterall my reaction is my problem- not theirs.
Might be contreversial here but I do think if you don't like it don't look or absent yourself from the situation.

bundle · 14/04/2005 20:26

but mud, cod et al, it's a bloke's take on the whole bf lark, and funny the first half dozen times you see it then just dull. i too joke about when i'm going to stop bf dd2, and never imagined i would go on for this long - it's definitely not for my benefit mud. so would it be ok to bf in public - say a restaurant - if my dd was obviously ill or unhappy?

leahbump · 14/04/2005 20:27

I agree Mud- that how other people 'feel' about our actions (bf, smacking whatever) is important....but not if it limits or dictates personal parenting choices that are not cruel, or unhealthy but just different.

SenoraPostrophe · 14/04/2005 20:28

binkybetsy - feeding from the breast is for the child as well as the mother's benefit in all cases i think - most prefer it and some (like my ds) won't take milk from a bottle or cup.

I think the age of the child is completely irrelevant. Why should i have to go home on an afternoon/evening out to give ds his feed? At least my tits aren't bigger than his head any more.

I would like to get him weaned before he starts asking for it, but that is just my preference.

bundle · 14/04/2005 20:28

mud, if i was bothered about the way "society" felt about bfeeding full stop i would never have bothered. a man once complained in pizza express that i was bf my 8 week old at lunchtime, it's the only time anyone's ever done that and i was truly shocked but many people feel "offended" by it and i am truly puzzled why.

leahbump · 14/04/2005 20:28

I mean limits I think...arghhhh pregnancy brain!