Breast Feeding Till Age 5 And Age 8, Isn't It Scary?

Hi all, I'm a new mother and have been advised that I should stop breast feeding at the age of 12 months. I was doing searches on breast feeding and came across this article on how a british mother was breast still feeding at the ages of 5 and 9.

Would this not emotionally scar children?

The article is here if you would like to read it: http://www.zoobat.com/?p=70

 

Why & who advised you to stop breastfeeding at 12 months??? What does this article have anything to do with that? Everyone is different. I was unable to watch the video in the article, but there might be certain circumstances that we do not know about? Often people feel that I should have stopped breastfeeding at 8 months because that is how long *they* did it. Why should I listen to them? THere are so many different cultures & other issues that may be involved here.
No, I would doubt it would emotionally scar children. Breastfeeding is very natural. Why judge something that you don't know the whole story about? :unsure:

Welcome to TS btw! Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about yourself?

 

:wavey: welcome to TS and the bfing forum! how old are your babies? how do you feel nursing is going for you?

there are many benefits to nursing beyond the first year. the milk doesn't suddenly turn into swamp water on the babies' first b-day! :laughing: there was a time when i would have agreed with you that nursing older children was 'wrong', but now, with the research i have done and the people i have talked to (mostly online) and my own personal experience, i have to say it might not be right for me but that doesn't mean it isn't right for them. i don't know how i would feel about nursing a 9 yo, i have not done it.

the AAP and the WHO support nursing beyond 1 and 2 years with no upper limit, as long as the mother and child want to continue. the reason they say this is because no, extended nursing is not harmful in any way to the children. as a matter of fact, children and adults who remember nursing remember it as a safe, loving happy time. what can possibly be harmful about that? :wub:

 

There seems to be a misconception out there that mothers "should" wean by 1 year of age. I'm guessing this comes from the idea that babies need BM or formula for the first year of life. And because some people have this idea that nursing older babies/toddlers is "weird", they figure that one year is the maximum age a mother should nurse.

This is a complete falsehood! In fact, there is much evidence that there are huge benefits to nursing beyond a year. The antibodies in your milk actually increase after around a year - presumably to compensate for the fact that children are taking in less breast milk. The fat, calories, and nutrition in BM are THE best and are excellent for your toddler(s). The closeness and bonding from the nursing relationship actually help build your child's independence - they are able to try things on their own because they feel secure and have a very close physical relationship with their mother.

Everyone knows that milk is an important element of their child's diet. So why should it be cow's milk? Milk that is meant for baby cows? Our children aren't cows and human milk is perfectly designed to fit their nutritional needs.

In terms of nursing to ages 5 and 8 - I don't think it would have any negative emotional impact on a child. It's not something that I'd be interested in doing personally, but I wouldn't criticize another mom for it. As Jackie said, these "norms" vary by culture also.

The bottom line is that there is nothing "weird" about nursing. There is nothing sexual or creepy or twisted about it, no matter what the age of the child, IMO. It's all about a mom trying to do the best thing for her little ones.

Michelle

 

My mom nursed my littl brother till he was more then four....and I think it's only natural to nurse to an age that seems right to you for that child. I weaned my twins at 2 years mostly because it seemed right for me and them. I wanted the freedom to travel without them. I also thought I wanted to try to get pregnant again. As it was, it was another year before we did...and now I am nursing my son. We'll see how long it lasts. No expectations here.


:sign0016: Welcome to TS. I hope you like it here. :sign0016:

 

I'll admit, I was one of those women who thought bf after a year was "wierd". Thanks in large part to this forum and doing some research - I've changed my tune. I don't think it's for everyone, but like so much in life, to each her own.

 

I gotta tell you -- my daughter weaned at about 10 months -- I tried to continue nursing her, but wasn't successful. But during her first year, she only had two minor colds -- not one fever or ear infection or any other illness.

In her second year, when she was no longer nursing, she had several 104+ fevers, rotavirus, roseola, and several nasty colds for which she needed breathing treatments. She just had a really tough year with illnesses, and in hindsight, I wish I had been able to nurse her until closer to age 2, to be able to pass on some more antibodies.

Now, I'm not sure if I would be comfortable with nursing a toddler -- but honestly, the benefits are so numerous that I'm going to try, with my twins on the way. I'll be proud to make it for any length of time -- my goal is to hit 12 months -- but I do hope to keep going after that, even if it's only a morning and bedtime nursing....

I agree that nursing a 5- and 9-year-old isn't the "norm" in the U.S. -- but who knows what the circumstances are, you know? (The video didn't work for me either.)

 

I have to agree with the others. Although this is not the norm in the US, a lot of other cultures are more open to BFing kids past the 12 month "rule". I commend the women on this forum because BFing is probably one of the best gifts we can offer to our children.

xox
Mariel

 

According to my LC, the average WORLDWIDE age for breastfeeding is far beyond one year. I think if you are comfortable with it, then continue as long as you want/can. I know that most people in the US say one year, but honestly they aren't raising my child. We have has such a nice winter with only one illness each, and if I can repeat that next year, I will. I used to be one of those women that would critisize other women that breast fed their toddlers, and thought they were weird until I was successful with my twins. Now I am so into it and am not planning to stop anytime soon. Welcome to TS, I hope that maybe this forum will help you as much as it did me.

 

So are you actually a breastfeeding mother or the author of the blog fishing for attention?

 

You have been misinformed. Nursing is a normal activity for children for much longer than a year, and as a matter of fact studies show that babies bf through preschool years and even beyond are more confident, score higher cognitively, and are healthier than babies who aren't bf or are for only a short time. (I said studies show this to be a trend, not that all babies follow this curve, so please don't jump me for saying this..lol).

Please read and research and get advice from people who know about bf if you aren't sure what is right for you and your baby.

 

QUOTE(debid @ Apr 10 2007, 07:22 PM) [snapback]213498[/snapback]
So are you actually a breastfeeding mother or the author of the blog fishing for attention?


Was wondering the same thing, there isn't a mention of twins anywhere in her first post on here, just an inflammatory post title and link. :huh:

 

QUOTE
This is a complete falsehood! In fact, there is much evidence that there are huge benefits to nursing beyond a year. The antibodies in your milk actually increase after around a year - presumably to compensate for the fact that children are taking in less breast milk. The fat, calories, and nutrition in BM are THE best and are excellent for your toddler(s). The closeness and bonding from the nursing relationship actually help build your child's independence - they are able to try things on their own because they feel secure and have a very close physical relationship with their mother.

Everyone knows that milk is an important element of their child's diet. So why should it be cow's milk? Milk that is meant for baby cows? Our children aren't cows and human milk is perfectly designed to fit their nutritional needs.
.


Thank you so much for bringing up the cows milk comment. I just went to a class this week, not your normal Bf class it was about the scientific breakdown of breastmilk and they compared it to cows milk and I was mortified. I breastfed for 10 1/2 months and wish I had gone longer. I was a new mom influenced by the world around me and att he time felt it was "weird" to go past 1 year and didnt make it. I would do it differntly if I could. I cant wait too be able to breastfeed again, this time with no quit date in site. I APPLAUD all you moms who have breastfed longer than one year. I applaud all moms who breastfeed dont get me wrong.
I liked the Moms comment in the video where she said its wrong to see a mom breastfeeding, but its ok to see someone with their piercing and cleavage showing, but its wrong too show your breast when your doing something natural. ( not word for word) I find that completly true. Why is it ok to see a womens breast in a sexual way and not when a mom is breastfeeding?
Sorry I could just go on and on about this topic. I appluad this mom for putting her family first and not being influenced by the world around her.

 

Yeah even i have realised now after breastfeeding for almost an year that if the child really needs it then we cannot stop him from doing that & a loving and covering Mom will never stop feeding her child since it comes so much naturally from within & the love towards her child just keeps going on.

QUOTE(2IrishBlessings @ May 5 2007, 11:09 PM) [snapback]245228[/snapback]
.
Thank you so much for bringing up the cows milk comment. I just went to a class this week, not your normal Bf class it was about the scientific breakdown of breastmilk and they compared it to cows milk and I was mortified. I breastfed for 10 1/2 months and wish I had gone longer. I was a new mom influenced by the world around me and att he time felt it was "weird" to go past 1 year and didnt make it. I would do it differntly if I could. I cant wait too be able to breastfeed again, this time with no quit date in site. I APPLAUD all you moms who have breastfed longer than one year. I applaud all moms who breastfeed dont get me wrong.
I liked the Moms comment in the video where she said its wrong to see a mom breastfeeding, but its ok to see someone with their piercing and cleavage showing, but its wrong too show your breast when your doing something natural. ( not word for word) I find that completly true. Why is it ok to see a womens breast in a sexual way and not when a mom is breastfeeding?
Sorry I could just go on and on about this topic. I appluad this mom for putting her family first and not being influenced by the world around her.

 

Hi, I seem to have upset some people cos I didn't introduce myself. Twin mother who are now 3 months each, I am going totally crazy. But wouldn't change a single thing. Except I used to do a lot of browsing so came across this article. As I am a first time Mommy was scared and confused about the whole thing! So thought would share it. Thanks anyways for all that wonderful info.

 

I am hoping this link may help.
It is from a PhD who studies human and primate behavior.

http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detwean.html

You will have to copy the link I cannot seem to figure out the insert URL or linking feature -- sorry.
:blush:

 

QUOTE(Caroline123 @ May 9 2007, 02:15 PM) [snapback]248739[/snapback]
Yeah even i have realised now after breastfeeding for almost an year that if the child really needs it then we cannot stop him from doing that & a loving and covering Mom will never stop feeding her child since it comes so much naturally from within & the love towards her child just keeps going on.



QUOTE(Caroline123 @ Jun 28 2007, 01:24 PM) [snapback]310227[/snapback]
Hi, I seem to have upset some people cos I didn't introduce myself. Twin mother who are now 3 months each, I am going totally crazy. But wouldn't change a single thing. Except I used to do a lot of browsing so came across this article. As I am a first time Mommy was scared and confused about the whole thing! So thought would share it. Thanks anyways for all that wonderful info.



so which is it? 3 months or one year?

 

QUOTE(titania @ Jun 28 2007, 08:28 AM) [snapback]310394[/snapback]
so which is it? 3 months or one year?



Can you guys block people like this from posting and trying to stir the pot? I think we can all agree it is pretty obvious she is not who she says she is.

 

QUOTE(MommyTo3andCounting @ Apr 9 2007, 02:29 AM) [snapback]210981[/snapback]
I'll admit, I was one of those women who thought bf after a year was "wierd". Thanks in large part to this forum and doing some research - I've changed my tune. I don't think it's for everyone, but like so much in life, to each her own.



Same here. I dont know how I feel about nursing past a year but I wont judge anyone else for doing just that. I agree with PPs who say it is when you and your children feel it is time to stop. But at by a certain age you do have to stop I mean you cant have teenagers nursing can you?? I just dont know at what point it HAS to happen.

 

Okay I just went back and read all the posts. I guess I shoulda done that first oops!! I am not going to delete my last post but seriously we can tell this one is a fake. I guess I better read more carefully in the future...hehe. But my response was to others anyway.

 

Just a friendly reminder. Helen just asked for clarification. The OP may have made a mistake when writing a post. Something that Craig has written lately may ring true here. He wrote:

QUOTE
If any users have doubts about the validity of a post, they should use the report this post tool to draw it to the attention of a moderator or send a mod or admin a PM and we will deal with the issue privately. We do not disclose the results of our investigations, but rest assured, we take all reported posts seriously and have taken actions in the past against users who we determine are not representing themselves truthfully. We typically do not reveal the results of these investigations publicly either, but we're fairly experienced in these actions and typically have already flagged users for closer scrutiny before that individual's posts are reported.


Thank you!

 

QUOTE(titania @ Jun 28 2007, 10:28 AM) [snapback]310394[/snapback]
so which is it? 3 months or one year?



almost a year = meant 11 months

3 months = was actually 13 months.

I seemed to have missed the 1 and ruffled loads of proud Mamams. My apologies for not checking my reply before posting it.