Proud BF Mummy

[SarahSteedman82]

Many of my friends didn't or couldn't so don't quite understand but I'm so proud to have got to 4 years of breastfeeding, our 4 year old stopped when his little sister came along 2 years ago and she has now been 3 days without following on from my 4 year boobversay a week ago :)

Now I have my boobs back lol

You said

Breast milk is always better than formula.

That is not the case.

@User57892

You literally can’t mention breastfeeding on mumsnet without at least one poster acting like you’ve walked into their house, smacked the bottle of formula out of their hand and screamed in their face that they’re an unfit parent

Breastfeeding can be a hard journey. It takes commitment. It can put a lot of pressure on the nursing parent. There is absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating that journey, and it has absolutely nothing to do with another woman’s completely valid decision to do what is right for her and / or her kids by formula feeding.

This x 100

@Myxisaprat
I repeat : However if breastfeeding isn't working for whatever reason then fed is best.

@Myxisaprat

You said

Breast milk is always better than formula.

That is not the case.

Her following sentence was 'however, if breastfeeding is not working for whatever reason, then fed is best'. It's right there, for all to see. No disputing it

Well said, @User57892

I think threads like this really touch a nerve with women who chose not to breast feed because they feel like they are being judged, which is actually sometimes the case, so it's hard to not be defensive. I think it also touches a nerve with women who couldn't breast feed when they really wanted to because you feel bloody useless as it is without having to hear about how great someone else feels for breastfeeding for years, and how proud they are.
I couldn't feed any of mine. After the third I felt fucking useless. Threads like this hit a nerve for me because it almost feels like someone rubbing it in my face.
I don't think feeding your baby can be compared to other different choices people make in life.
I can't stand boasting anyway. Wonder what dp will buy me for all the bottles I've washed, sterilised, made and fed my 3 kids

All I could think reading this is "it's a bit odd to BF a 4 year old". I mean that in a non-judgy way and I can only go from my own experience. And this experience is based on the fact I have a 4 year old.

My 4 year old laughs at my boobs, gives them a slap and tells me they're wobbly.

Couldn't imagine tucking down on the sofa with her and offering my breast. Surely at 4 they're more suited to a beaker and some semi-skimmed?

@iminaglasscaseofemotion
Things may touch a nerve but it doesn't mean OPs happiness in her own achievement is any less valid

Wonder what dp will buy me for all the bottles I've washed, sterilised, made and fed my 3 kids

That's for you to discuss with your partner really.

Wonder what dp will buy me for all the bottles I've washed, sterilised, made and fed my 3 kids hmm

Something lovely, I’d hope. You deserve it!

That's for you to discuss with your partner really.

Well no, I don't think I will because feeding a baby doesn't need presents.

The OP fed two children to two years old. So 4 years in total, not a 4 year old.

However, the natural term of breastfeeding is from self weaning at 2.5years to 7 years old. Obviously this is in average and there will be outliers to this. (www.laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-beyond-a-year/)

So no, feeding a 4 year old is not weird. It's unusual in this country, sure. But it's totally natural. Should it be the right thing for that individual family

@Eilethya

All I could think reading this is "it's a bit odd to BF a 4 year old". I mean that in a non-judgy way and I can only go from my own experience. And this experience is based on the fact I have a 4 year old.

My 4 year old laughs at my boobs, gives them a slap and tells me they're wobbly.

Couldn't imagine tucking down on the sofa with her and offering my breast. Surely at 4 they're more suited to a beaker and some semi-skimmed?

Oh bloody hell your brave to state an opinion like that on here 😂

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

That's for you to discuss with your partner really.

Well no, I don't think I will because feeding a baby doesn't need presents.

OPs family obviously felt otherwise. And that's fine. It's their life. You don't need to feel the same way. It doesn't make it wrong.

@RichTeaCheddars

The OP fed two children to two years old. So 4 years in total, not a 4 year old.

However, the natural term of breastfeeding is from self weaning at 2.5years to 7 years old. Obviously this is in average and there will be outliers to this. (www.laleche.org.uk/breastfeeding-beyond-a-year/)

So no, feeding a 4 year old is not weird. It's unusual in this country, sure. But it's totally natural. Should it be the right thing for that individual family

Makes sense regarding feeding 2 x 2 year olds for 4 years.

I have to disagree though and do find it odd to BF a 4 year old. NVM a 5/6/7 year old.

It might not "do any harm" but it's not beneficial either. From the age of 2, a child's nutritional requirements should be met through diet alone, therefore breastfeeding at age 4 is just for the sake of it and to me that is odd.

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion I know. Probably going to get crucified shortly.

@Eilethya

All I could think reading this is "it's a bit odd to BF a 4 year old". I mean that in a non-judgy way and I can only go from my own experience. And this experience is based on the fact I have a 4 year old.

My 4 year old laughs at my boobs, gives them a slap and tells me they're wobbly.

Couldn't imagine tucking down on the sofa with her and offering my breast. Surely at 4 they're more suited to a beaker and some semi-skimmed?

Can you not see the problem with what you've just written though? Why is it better suited to a human child to sit down with a cup of milk from a different mammal to their own species? Why can people not get their head around the idea that if children still need milk, then that milk is allowed to be from their own species? And even more appropriate in fact?

P. S. As for your 2nd post, milk is part of a 'diet'...? That didn't quite make sense.

@Somethingsnappy they don't need milk though. They need calcium, vit D and the like. Which can be obtained through a bowl of cereal in the morning, yoghurt, a drink of milk.

People have been drinking cows milk for years, it's not like under 6 months when it's all a baby relies on.

I just couldn't think of anything worse than having my 4 year old attached to my nipples multiple times a day every time she fancied a drink.

@Somethingsnappy

P. S. As for your 2nd post, milk is part of a 'diet'...? That didn't quite make sense.

Go and tell that to Dr Max Davie from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 🤷🏼‍♀️

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/health-44301125.amp

[quote Eilethya]@Somethingsnappy they don't need milk though. They need calcium, vit D and the like. Which can be obtained through a bowl of cereal in the morning, yoghurt, a drink of milk.

People have been drinking cows milk for years, it's not like under 6 months when it's all a baby relies on.

I just couldn't think of anything worse than having my 4 year old attached to my nipples multiple times a day every time she fancied a drink. [/quote]
You've done it again.... You've just explained to me that children do in fact, need milk.

OPs family obviously felt otherwise. And that's fine. It's their life. You don't need to feel the same way. It doesn't make it wrong.

So no one can have the opinion that it's unnecessary and a bit odd?

Can you not see the problem with what you've just written though? Why is it better suited to a human child to sit down with a cup of milk from a different mammal to their own species? Why can people not get their head around the idea that if children still need milk, then that milk is allowed to be from their own species? And even more appropriate in fact?

I don't think there is any other species that feed their offspring past the age of weaning. You can get calcium from plenty of things, it doesn't need to be any type of milk. Breastfeeding after 2 years old technically has no benifit to mother or child. Same as bottle feeding.

@Somethingsnappy I'm really not and you're missing my point.

Children need the nutrients in milk. Doesn't matter the source, as long as those nutrients are sufficient, children can obtain them through yoghurt, semi-skimmed (over the age of 2), through milk on their breakfast etc...

So why choose to breastfeed a 4 year old child when their nutritional requirements are being met by other sources of those nutrients? What is the benefit to the child?

Experts seem to agree that breastfeeding benefits max out by age 2 (as like I've said more than once, this is when nutritional requirements should be being met through diet), so... other than bonding reasons...why?

Calcium can be obtained through many other foods, no one needs dairy products.

@iminaglasscaseofemotion

Orangutans do.
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/orangutans-nursing-mothers-endangered

"Surprising new research has revealed that the colorful great apes suckle for up to eight years, and in some cases longer."