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

I haven't missed your point. I'm highlighting why your point makes no sense. You're saying children still need the nutrients to be found in milk. But you are asking why breastfeed them when you can gain these nutrients through cow's milk. Can you honestly not see the irony?

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

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.

You're right about other species not feeding past the age of weaning. Humans too. Experts agree that the natural term weaning age of human children is between 3 and 7 years old.

[quote Eilethya]@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? [/quote]
Breastmilk benefits children for as long as they have it. The properties which protect against illness and boost the child’s immune system never go away, and can’t be obtained from other food sources.

And even if bonding was the only benefit - that’s a biggie. Breastfeeding is a form of comfort, security and attachment for children. It has many benefits and literally no downsides.

It’s fine if you wouldn’t want to breastfeed a 4 year old - that’s your choice. But it’s not ‘weird’ that someone else would just because you don’t fancy it. It’s natural, normal, beneficial to the child, and has literally no negatives so long as the breastfeeding parent is happy to do it.

@Somethingsnappy

I haven't missed your point. I'm highlighting why your point makes no sense. You're saying children still need the nutrients to be found in milk. But you are asking why breastfeed them when you can gain these nutrients through cow's milk. Can you honestly not see the irony?

No I can't see the irony.

Your point seems to be based off the fact of "why give cows milk when you can have breast".

By that logic, do you squirt breast milk in your morning brew? Because adults need the nutrients found in milk (or other sources of calcium, whatever that may be).

Can you please explain the benefit of breastfeeding a 4 year old rather as opposed to allowing them to gain the same nutrients via diet and I will hold my hands up and bow down.

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

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?

You can have it, but it won’t stop other people enjoying or talking about their presents!

abm.me.uk/breastfeeding-information/breastfeeding-beyond-infancy/

This website explains benefits of feeding to natural term.

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

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

Why do we constantly feel we have to put women who proudly breastfeed back in their place, citing perceived judgement on those who didn’t/couldn’t breastfeed, regardless of whether there was any indication whatsoever of said judgement in the OP’s post. When we get threads from women sharing their BFing journey who couldn’t breast feed, or had to give up, or chose not to, I see loads of supportive comments to those women. But when it’s a positive journey, plenty of comments saying the OP is bragging, smug, rubbing it in peoples faces, judging others. Seems like we like anyone who has not had a traumatic time or kept going regardless, to stfu really. Bearing in mind that those BF are already hugely in the minority (17% of mums at 3 months, 1% of mums at 6 months) can we just let them share their stories, without trying to shame them into silence please.

Just finished 6 and a half years. 3 children, no breaks.
Mostly worried what's going to happen to my boobs now

6.5 years! What a commitment and achievement.🎉

[quote Eilethya]@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? [/quote]
Why choose to feed a human milk for cows when human milk is available?

@SoupDragon so you put breast milk on your cereal or in your coffee?

[quote Eilethya]@SoupDragon so you put breast milk on your cereal or in your coffee?[/quote]
Unless her spelling and grammar are impeccable I doubt @SoupDragon is 4 years old.

Don't be so deliberately obtuse. That's not what they meant

That was in reply to @Eilethya

But a 4 year old with a healthy balanced diet has about as much need for breast milk as a 30 year old.

@Eilethya. You're beginning from the wrong starting point though. You are arguing why have breastmilk when you can have cow's milk and I am arguing the opposite.... Breastmilk is the natural milk for our species. The argument that children don't need breastmilk beyond two, comes from the assumption that they are receiving in their diet dairy products or alternatives. I am simply trying to highlight the irony of this. It has become so commonplace that some people really struggle to grasp the idea that milk from their own species would be more appropriate than any other alternative, if that child still needed milk. We are lucky that we have access to all these alternatives. It gives women choices. But as I said, your starting point is in the wrong place. If women choose to give children their own milk, rather than cows', for example, then why on earth is that inappropriate? It is purely a cultural thing and you and others a product of the culture, so I don't blame you. Many cultures breastfeed their children until the natural term of weaning.

[quote RichTeaCheddars]@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."[/quote]
Hmm weird.

[quote Eilethya]@SoupDragon so you put breast milk on your cereal or in your coffee?[/quote]
But adults don't need milk at all. We do it because we like it. Young children do actually need milk.

@Eilethya

But a 4 year old with a healthy balanced diet has about as much need for breast milk as a 30 year old.

What’s your source for this? Everything I’ve ever read states that breast milk is beneficial for children for as long as they have it. The natural weaning age for human children can be as old as 7. How are you defining ‘need’ here, and is that the right measure? Ok children can get the nutrients they need from other sources, but why is that better, and why dismiss the other benefits of extended breastfeeding (comfort, security, confidence, illness prevention, immunity boosting etc).

@RichTeaCheddars it was at least in part, laziness lol

I think I replied to a comment that's not even there, ignore me lol

Bearing in mind that those BF are already hugely in the minority (17% of mums at 3 months, 1% of mums at 6 months) can we just let them share their stories, without trying to shame them into silence please.

Those statistics are only accurate if you think that mothers who use any formula don’t count. A baby who gets 1 bottle a week of formula and every other feed from the breast is still a breastfed baby IMO but not according to that statistic.

@JeanClaudeVanDammit

Bearing in mind that those BF are already hugely in the minority (17% of mums at 3 months, 1% of mums at 6 months) can we just let them share their stories, without trying to shame them into silence please.

Those statistics are only accurate if you think that mothers who use any formula don’t count. A baby who gets 1 bottle a week of formula and every other feed from the breast is still a breastfed baby IMO but not according to that statistic.

That's true, but if you include people who combi feed, I think the figure for BF at 6 months is still in the minority. I think it's only about 30ish percent of babies who are receiving any breastmilk at all at 6 months.

It's no good in tea, too watery

Boobversery has to be one of the cringiest things I have ever heard. Sorry OP, well done you and all that but 🤢. I bet you had a baby moon too!