Too old to breastfeed?

[Mummybo]

So I was walking through town yesterday with husband and baby and this short lady strides past us, up hill, boob out,carrying and breastfeeding I'm guessing a 3 or 4 year old. This kid looked huge, but maybe it was because the woman was about 5 foot tall....
Me and my husband are definitely pro breastfeeding and are not easily shocked (i thought) but our jaws were on the floor! Our response was, WOW she was amazing! Partly because I don't think I could walk and breastfeed our 8 month old, let alone with my boob out, in public, up a hill, with a giant kid....
I kind of felt bad for being shocked, and for telling people that id seen her, as it shouldn't be a shocking sight, should it?! I also felt like she was doing it just to shock people.... It has left me feeling like a judgmental mum which I never thought I was!!
I guess she made me really think about breastfeeding in public (which I do all the time) and how old is too old.....
When will you guys stop? If you haven't already.

I'm in awe of her strength. DS is 19 months and I can only carry him for more than a minute with an ergo back carry and haven't been able to feed him standing since he was about 3 months because my back couldn't take it.

And I have fed ds in public recently, but only in the aftermath of a fall/tantrum when he's needed it for calming and I haven't cared less what people thought anything to stop the screaming

Breasted both mine until around 3.5, although not in public past around 2 I guess. They tended to feed before bed and in the morning mostly and not really during the day.

I certainly couldn't have walked whilst feeding them though. I wasn't able to do that even when they were tiny babies.

I'm still feeding my 13 month old in public and don't feel embarrassed, not sure if that will change as he gets bigger. To be honest I'd quite like it wind down a bit but he has other ideas and I won't force him to stop either.

I agree with those who say she was unlikely to be making a statement. After have bf for 4 years she probably didn't give a moments thought to it. I've spent 7 years of my life bf (not continuously!) and it was just part of what I did as a parent.

Just also wanted to add that the op is being honest and clearly intrigued and wanting to educate herself rather than judgy.

In my country breast feeding past a few weeks is too long for most people OP. You would look like a freak out and about for bf an 8 month old and a lot of people secretly judge. You learn not to care though, there are always those who judge.

In my country breast feeding past a few weeks is too long for most people OP. You would look like a freak out and about for bf an 8 month old and a lot of people secretly judge. You learn not to care though, there are always those who judge.

Hi! What country are you from?

Ireland we have by far the worst bf rates in Europe and most women from the previous 2 generations never bf. The rates are improving slightly particularly in the last few years but the culture is still so anti breast feeding. Most women stop after a few weeks feeding but if it rolls towards months then the comments start.

Its funny you should say that, dps uncle came over from ireland last week and he's the only person I've warned that I was about to bf, as id read somewhere that rates were low.

Dp said after that you didnt see much public bf there, especially at 10 months

Luckily the law in Ireland is very strong and women can feed anywhere and are protected by law but the culture is taking time to catch. TBH though anyone I know who feeds, feeds anywhere because the benefit of people normally not expressing their opinions means at least you can do it in peace. I suppose the point is though the OP finds herself judging because it is something she is not familiar with and the point I was making was that there will always be someone judging while bf is not the norm.

He seemed surprised, although not judgy about it. He asked a few questions then went for the longest fag (about 20 mins)

I suppose the thing is bf older babies/toddlers in public will always be an unusual sight. Mainly because they dont bf as much as babies. I don't bf my 2 year old but id think if I did it would probably because he was hurt or really upset, the majority of the time when we are out and about hed be to busy getting up to mischief or playing, in the same way he never asks for a bottle when we are out.

Until dd nearly bit my nipple off.

Wow, breastfeeding and walking at the same time? Could never manage that even when DD was a tiny newborn.

I BF till 9 months, that was enough for me, as my nipples would have been completely bitten off if I'd have continued

Always wondered why, when at my friend's house, she asked me if I minded her feeding her 16 month old. (I couldn't have cared less, it's not my business), but she'd obviously known some people who did mind. Sad, really.

No problem what so ever with what age someone feeds their child to or even how they feed their child - breast/bottel.
I fed all 3 of mine but they all had reflux and it was a hellish struggle.
I only lasted 5 months with DS1, a year with DD and 8 months with DS2. I found people to be judgmental with me when I was bottle feeding my 5 month old. People who have no idea what feeding a child with reflux disease is like. So for that reason I am always careful never to judge as you don't know their story.

However, walking with your boob out - really, is that really necessary?

Breast feeding is entirely natural - as is peeing but I tend not to leave the public toilet door open then walk to the taps with my nickers at my feet iyswim!

Im happy to feed my children anywhere but I just feel walking with your boobs out is a little OTT!

bottle even

I wondered how long it would be before someone lumped breastfeeding with peeing

Really, anyone with more than a couple of brain cells can work out why the breastfeeding/peeing analogy is ridiculous.

im surprised it got this far before the bodily waste thing came into play.

its amazing how many people think of toilets when it comes to feeding a baby

From the description in your OP, and based purely on my own experiences, I'd have assumed her DC had had a meltdown or an accident and she was rushing them home/elsewhere while BFing to comfort them.
Hence the striding up hill and not giving a shit that her boob was visible. Most people would rather BF in comfort without flashing, let alone be carrying a mahoosive child up a steep hill! Sounds like necessity to me.

I stopped BFing shortly after DSs 2nd birthday, would've carried on longer if his latch hadn't got so awful, and by then we were only having morning feeds. However, he would have the v occasional daytime feed if he was v upset, ill or injured and it was immensely comforting for him.
I'd always intended to BF to 1yo, then saw no reason to stop. Am pg again and hope I can BF that long again, it was so darn useful! Also fx that this one's latch is better, maybe we'll carry on longer!