Not trying to be controversial...just want thoughts

So, I watched it. I want to know what you think of extended this long.... I'm really curious what's right and what's wrong here. To me, this feels wrong. But, if we say that babies will wean themselves when they are ready...where do you draw the line? What if they never want to wean as in this video ( to me 8 feels like a "never wants to wean" child )

8 year old BF

 

I agree that it seems wrong. I can't imagine my 8 year old coming up and asking to BF. I would think at that point she would be embarrassed. Frankly so would I.

 

To me, that is really disturbing.

When I consider extended nursing, I am thinking that my girls will be 1 in Oct, right before winter and cold/flu season so I will continue bf'ing them until probably springtime to hopefully have minimal sick babies.

 

QUOTE(cohlee @ Jun 7 2008, 08:17 AM) [snapback]815016[/snapback]
To me, that is really disturbing.

When I consider extended nursing, I am thinking that my girls will be 1 in Oct, right before winter and cold/flu season so I will continue bf'ing them until probably springtime to hopefully have minimal sick babies.


thats a great idea! the winter months are the hardest with flu season!

 

I think thats kinda sad and strange ... 8yrs old is way to old....even 5yrs old is way to old....

 

Wow, I can't imagine and 8 year old still nursing (didn't see the video so I'm just going by what has beens said).

Honestly, I don't care if this kind of thing is considered normal (not sure if it is or not) in other cultures, but it's not normal in ours and IMO shouldn't be done!!!

 

I have mixed feelings about this.

On the one hand, I can understand people's instinctive heebie jeebies about it.

OTOH, here is the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics on the issue:

QUOTE
There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer.


from the AAP policy statement on breastfeeding

IMO, if there could possibly be anything wrong with nursing at that age, nursing would only be the symptom, NOT the underlying problem. If an older child wants to nurse in order to cope with some very upsetting problem, I'd be much more worried about the problem itself - NOT the way they choose to cope with it. If a healthy, happy, well-adjusted older child wants to continue nursing, and the mother is willing, it's nobody's business but theirs, and NOBODY has a right to tell them it's wrong/sick/disgusting. Personally, I find it EXTREMELY offensive for people to just condemn it out of hand.

What would I do personally? I really have no idea. I don't know what it's like to have 8 yr olds, or 5 yr olds; I don't know what my kids will be like at that age; I don't know how I'd feel about it so far in the future. We'll cross that bridge if we ever come to it.

There's just one more thing I want to add. I kind of cringe when stories like this come up, because it just seems like more fuel for the fire of ignorant people who say things like "If you don't wean them at X months, they'll never stop!" There's this pervasive myth that if you continue nursing a toddler, they'll just want to keep going forever. And there's general prejudice against extended nursing.

Btw, here's a great link about the subject.

 

QUOTE(fuchsiagroan @ Jun 7 2008, 09:43 AM) [snapback]815177[/snapback]
IMO, if there could possibly be anything wrong with nursing at that age, nursing would only be the symptom, NOT the underlying problem. If an older child wants to nurse in order to cope with some very upsetting problem, I'd be much more worried about the problem itself - NOT the way they choose to cope with it.

There's just one more thing I want to add. I kind of cringe when stories like this come up, because it just seems like more fuel for the fire of ignorant people who say things like "If you don't wean them at X months, they'll never stop!" There's this pervasive myth that if you continue nursing a toddler, they'll just want to keep going forever. And there's general prejudice against extended nursing.

Btw, here's a great link about the subject.



I agree with you Holly, if there is an underlying reason that is causing it, that should be addressed. I also think that the prejudice about extended nursing is one of the many reasons I love this forum. It's such a great place to learn from real women referencing real experience and sources to educate each other on what BF really is and why it's so important. I'm very vocal IRL whenever I hear anyone commenting on a child being too old to BF or a mom who feels pressure to wean. For me, I'd just never considered it continuing until 8, but maybe that is normal in that family.

 

I don't think there is anything wrong with it, but I agree about it being so rare that a child would want to nurse that age, it's almost better for it to not get publicity because it really isn't the norm.. and it needlessly scares some people into thinking they better stop at 2 or 3 or it will go on forever.

 

It seems a bit over the top - especially the older kid saying she'd rather have cups and cups of breastmilk than melons, and drawing pictures of the mother's breasts? I just can't imagine that the 8 year old doesn't/won't get teased when other 8 year olds find out.

 

hmmmm, this is one of those things that I am not sure how I feel about it. I know I used to think it was weird to nurse past 12 months :blush: But then when you are bfing and they turn one you see how it doesn't suddenly become weird or gross. I know I would have been okay nursing past 2 y/o, not weird at all to me and certainly NOT wrong.
So how I can say if it would be weird or wrong to nurse past say 5 y/o? I just don't know and do not think it is my place to form any judgements on the subject

 

I guess I don't view it as "right" or "wrong"

I do feel very uncomfortable with it and it is something I would stare at if I saw in public and would NOT be soemthing I am comfortable with for sure!

It feels like something else/other issue are in play but maybe that's the counselor in me.

 

QUOTE(fuchsiagroan @ Jun 7 2008, 02:43 PM) [snapback]815177[/snapback]
IMO, if there could possibly be anything wrong with nursing at that age, nursing would only be the symptom, NOT the underlying problem. If an older child wants to nurse in order to cope with some very upsetting problem, I'd be much more worried about the problem itself - NOT the way they choose to cope with it. If a healthy, happy, well-adjusted older child wants to continue nursing, and the mother is willing, it's nobody's business but theirs, and NOBODY has a right to tell them it's wrong/sick/disgusting. Personally, I find it EXTREMELY offensive for people to just condemn it out of hand.


But if the nursing is just a symptom (or reaction) to an underlying problem, clearly the underlying problem is not being addressed.

i found the video very disturbing, on all counts. To each his own, but it's almost like the mother is infantilizing (is that a word) her children. and at age 8, there are other ways to bond with your children.

My mom breastfed me and my sister, until 18 months a believe (at time when lots of folks weren't bfeeding). I was only able to do Bm for six months, mostly pumped...I wish i had done more. All that said, i think at some point between ages 2 and 3, it's probably time to wean.

 

QUOTE
But if the nursing is just a symptom (or reaction) to an underlying problem, clearly the underlying problem is not being addressed.


Sure, and IF there are any underlying problems, addressing them is the top priority. Kids deserve to be happy and healthy. I just think it doesn't make the nursing itself wrong. And (talking in general now, not about the particular family in the YouTube video) there may not be any underlying problems in the first place.

QUOTE
All that said, i think at some point between ages 2 and 3, it's probably time to wean.


Why? The AAP cites research that suggests that humans are "programmed" to nurse anywhere from 2.5 to 7 years. What is it about age 2 or 3 in your mind?

QUOTE
at age 8, there are other ways to bond with your children.


People use the exact same argument to tell mothers to wean at 6 months, 12 months, etc. The truth is that ALL moms - good ones, anyway - have ways to bond with their kids other than feeding. I love nursing my toddlers, and it's a really sweet way to bond with them. And I also love bonding with them by reading to them, singing with them, playing games, bathing them, etc. If they want to continue nursing into older childhood (and if I'm still up for it at that point!), I'm sure we'll enjoy even more ways of bonding outside of nursing as they can do more and more fun things. Just because there are many ways to bond with kids doesn't mean that one particular way should be excluded.

Don't get me wrong - nobody can help their personal reaction to this kind of thing. If it grosses you out, it grosses you out. It's a gut reaction, and I respect that. But I don't think it's fair to go from there and make across-the-board judgments like "It's time to wean" or "That has to stop." Even if there were any evidence of extended nursing, even REALLY extended nursing, being harmful - which there isn't, the AAP suports it - would it really be anyone's place to judge?

Think of it this way. There are plenty of things the AAP condemns, like spanking kids and letting infants watch TV. Plenty of parents posting on TS say that they spank their kids and let their babies watch TV. Would it be appropriate to make judgmental comments about their parenting, even if they're doing things "the experts" condemn? Of course not. All the nice folks here would just say "Go with what works for your family." So why make such judgmental comments about a practice the experts actually support?

QUOTE
I don't think there is anything wrong with it, but I agree about it being so rare that a child would want to nurse that age, it's almost better for it to not get publicity because it really isn't the norm.. and it needlessly scares some people into thinking they better stop at 2 or 3 or it will go on forever.


ITA! Nicely put.

 

QUOTE(excitedk @ Jun 7 2008, 04:05 PM) [snapback]815457[/snapback]
hmmmm, this is one of those things that I am not sure how I feel about it. I know I used to think it was weird to nurse past 12 months :blush: But then when you are bfing and they turn one you see how it doesn't suddenly become weird or gross. I know I would have been okay nursing past 2 y/o, not weird at all to me and certainly NOT wrong.
So how I can say if it would be weird or wrong to nurse past say 5 y/o? I just don't know and do not think it is my place to form any judgements on the subject


I agree Kristi. I have to admit that the video was really strange to me, especially the way the girls were drawing pictures of her breasts and talking about how much they love BM. I know that I couldn't do it!

 

QUOTE(fuchsiagroan @ Jun 7 2008, 09:18 PM) [snapback]815508[/snapback]
Why? The AAP cites research that suggests that humans are "programmed" to nurse anywhere from 2.5 to 7 years. What is it about age 2 or 3 in your mind?

i can't give a good reason other than my gut reaction. Look hard enough and you can find data to support any point. Of course the AAP is a reputable organization, but they aren't 100% right (nor is anything).

QUOTE
People use the exact same argument to tell mothers to wean at 6 months, 12 months, etc. The truth is that ALL moms - good ones, anyway - have ways to bond with their kids other than feeding. I love nursing my toddlers, and it's a really sweet way to bond with them. And I also love bonding with them by reading to them, singing with them, playing games, bathing them, etc. If they want to continue nursing into older childhood (and if I'm still up for it at that point!), I'm sure we'll enjoy even more ways of bonding outside of nursing as they can do more and more fun things. Just because there are many ways to bond with kids doesn't mean that one particular way should be excluded.

Don't get me wrong - nobody can help their personal reaction to this kind of thing. If it grosses you out, it grosses you out. It's a gut reaction, and I respect that. But I don't think it's fair to go from there and make across-the-board judgments like "It's time to wean" or "That has to stop." Even if there were any evidence of extended nursing, even REALLY extended nursing, being harmful - which there isn't, the AAP suports it - would it really be anyone's place to judge?


People always judge, it's human nature. The purpose of this post was for thoughts on the subject, and those are my thoughts. I don't remember all that I learned from developmental psyhcology and I don't feel like trolling the internet - but I can see where extended nursing has the potential to harm. I guess another way to think about it is the regular balancing act of being age appropriate for our kids. We got off bottles at 16 months, some kids are on bottles until 3. My kids are probably going to be in their crib for another year, I know people whose kids are in beds at 18 months. Every perdson matures at a different rate and it's our job as parents to try and balance the needs of our kids as individuals with what is considered reasonable. To me, extended nursing has the potential to keep kids at a certain age...again i think the word infantile comes to mind...and that can be unhealthy. Again, just becuase our children want to do something, even if it's good for them, doesn't mean we should necessarily indulge it.
QUOTE
Think of it this way. There are plenty of things the AAP condemns, like spanking kids and letting infants watch TV. Plenty of parents posting on TS say that they spank their kids and let their babies watch TV. Would it be appropriate to make judgmental comments about their parenting, even if they're doing things "the experts" condemn? Of course not. All the nice folks here would just say "Go with what works for your family." So why make such judgmental comments about a practice the experts actually support?


of course, everyone should do what works for their family. I'm just pointing out where i see a potential for harm (as I see that potential in many other things).

 

I used to think that nursing even past one was CRAZY. I feel so different now. I do think that children in this culture would naturally wean if they were provided with a healthy emotional foundation. Having said that I know at least 2 people that BF until 5 years old (so they say). One seems emotionally healthy, the other I am not so sure.

I do 100% think that having so much of our lives on the web is not emotionally healthy especially when it comes to our kids. Haivng a blog for your friends and family is one thing but some people take it too far IMO.

 

QUOTE
I guess another way to think about it is the regular balancing act of being age appropriate for our kids. We got off bottles at 16 months, some kids are on bottles until 3. My kids are probably going to be in their crib for another year, I know people whose kids are in beds at 18 months. Every perdson matures at a different rate and it's our job as parents to try and balance the needs of our kids as individuals with what is considered reasonable. To me, extended nursing has the potential to keep kids at a certain age...again i think the word infantile comes to mind...and that can be unhealthy. Again, just becuase our children want to do something, even if it's good for them, doesn't mean we should necessarily indulge it.


Thanks for explaining more about your views. I think I understand a little more about where you're coming from now.

Personally, I do see it differently. I think kids are hardwired to grow, develop, and mature. Just look at the universal fascination with bigger kids. I've never seen a kid who wanted to be babyish forever. You say that nursing has the potential to arrest children's development - how exactly? I can see how a parent might thwart a kid's development by not letting them socialize with other kids, or make basic choices (what to wear, what to eat), or potty train, or stay over at a friend's house. But how could nursing possibly "keep kids at a certain age"? If the parents encourage normal development otherwise, how could the nursing interfere? And if the parents discourage normal development otherwise, then nursing is not to blame, the whole parental attitude is. If a parent really wants to infantilize kids, they'll find ways to do it even if they wean.

I disagree with your last statement too. If a child wants something that is good for him or her, where's the "indulgence"?

Semi-tangent: have you noticed how some people get really choked up and emotional about their babies turning 1 (or 2, or whatever), and feel sad and nostalgic for earlier times? I can kind of understand where they're coming from, but I've never felt any of that myself. I've never wanted my babies to stay babies forever, and it is so much fun for me to watch them grow and develop. My favorite age is always the age they are, and I'm always curious about what's coming next. To me, it's not upsetting but exciting to see them acting more grown up. And --- I plan to nurse them as long as they want.

I only mention this because I think it's kind of funny in relation to concerns about infantilizing children.


On another note - totally agree with pps about not putting that on the web! I wouldn't do it either.

 

QUOTE(fuchsiagroan @ Jun 8 2008, 01:10 AM) [snapback]815692[/snapback]
Thanks for explaining more about your views. I think I understand a little more about where you're coming from now.

Personally, I do see it differently. I think kids are hardwired to grow, develop, and mature. Just look at the universal fascination with bigger kids. I've never seen a kid who wanted to be babyish forever. You say that nursing has the potential to arrest children's development - how exactly? I can see how a parent might thwart a kid's development by not letting them socialize with other kids, or make basic choices (what to wear, what to eat), or potty train, or stay over at a friend's house. But how could nursing possibly "keep kids at a certain age"? If the parents encourage normal development otherwise, how could the nursing interfere? And if the parents discourage normal development otherwise, then nursing is not to blame, the whole parental attitude is. If a parent really wants to infantilize kids, they'll find ways to do it even if they wean.


While kids are hard wired - outside influences can impact that. I guess it goes to another debate that was on this board awhile ago - how modest are you around your kids. I'm not saying that we should attribute things to kids that aren't there for them (they have no sense of sexuality, etc) and i'm not sure what the age is....but somewhere in young childhood, kids start to understand about private parts, etc...and i think nursing should be done before that happens. I know at eight i knew about the birds and the bees (granted it was technical). I know folks have different opinions about how uptight we are as a society - go ahead and add to me that.

Another way the nursing can interfere with normal social development. A four year old has a playdate, wants to nurse...and the other kid may make fun of him - because it is not the NORM.

QUOTE
I disagree with your last statement too. If a child wants something that is good for him or her, where's the "indulgence"?


but in my mind, i'm not sure nursing is good past a certain age. Breastmilk may be, but nursing I'm not sure.

QUOTE
Semi-tangent: have you noticed how some people get really choked up and emotional about their babies turning 1 (or 2, or whatever), and feel sad and nostalgic for earlier times? I can kind of understand where they're coming from, but I've never felt any of that myself. I've never wanted my babies to stay babies forever, and it is so much fun for me to watch them grow and develop. My favorite age is always the age they are, and I'm always curious about what's coming next. To me, it's not upsetting but exciting to see them acting more grown up. And --- I plan to nurse them as long as they want.

I only mention this because I think it's kind of funny in relation to concerns about infantilizing children.


and i this 'nostalgia' can lead to that type of behavior. It's part of the reason i wasn't ready to give up bottles at 12 months. these are my only babies and while i love watching them grow and develop, i'm sad for what has passed. And i'm doubly sad because i wasn't able to enjoy it. The first few months were overwhelming and i just endured. But we aren't having more kids, so all i have is my memories.

 

I am no longer bf but wanted to watch the video to see what it is all about. I am not here to argue when is the best time to stop bf. For ME personally my opinion of the video wasn't so much the breastfeeding (although it was freaky) but the way the girls talked about the breasts was disturbing. Again for me personally, it would freak me out of my kids could ask for it.

 

QUOTE(akameme @ Jun 8 2008, 02:05 AM) [snapback]815766[/snapback]
Another way the nursing can interfere with normal social development. A four year old has a playdate, wants to nurse...and the other kid may make fun of him - because it is not the NORM.


This is where it gets interesting to me..."normal social development" is cultural - what's normal for Americans isn't normal in Japan (for example). For that matter what's normal in a Babywise family is going to be very different than what's normal in a Dr. Sears family. There's room in our society for both types of family, and I expect there's room here for whatever psychology results from nursing until the 'tween years...if there is a discernible psychological impact.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if it's HEALTHY why can't it also be NORMAL? Aside from the symptom-of-a-larger-problem theory, which is what infantilizing would be, I think the only psychological argument against it is that it would make the kid different from their peers. Um, how many of us here learned early not to tell other kids about our weird families?

That said, there's no way I'm watching that video. Adorable toddlers nursing is one thing; I don't want to watch an 8 year old nurse. It IS weird, but it isn't wrong.

 

QUOTE(Zabeta @ Jun 7 2008, 09:59 PM) [snapback]815857[/snapback]
This is where it gets interesting to me..."normal social development" is cultural - what's normal for Americans isn't normal in Japan (for example). For that matter what's normal in a Babywise family is going to be very different than what's normal in a Dr. Sears family. There's room in our society for both types of family, and I expect there's room here for whatever psychology results from nursing until the 'tween years...if there is a discernible psychological impact.



I've spent some time studying anthropology, and if you look at all different people all over the world, average weaning time tends to end up somewhere between 3 and 5. That's about the time that a child is able to eat just about anything, and can walk just about anywhere, freeing up the mother's arms and breasts for another baby (essentially maximizing reproduction). I'm not really sure how I feel about nursing an 8 year old, but you can be darn sure that I wouldn't be posting videos of it on the internet.

Kind of on a tangent, but around Boston there's always been talk about why Manny Ramirez (goofy Red Sox player) is so bizarre-one theory is that it's because he nursed until he was 4. But I'm certain that's just American culture talking, and not anything more

 

QUOTE(twoplustwo @ Jun 7 2008, 03:10 PM) [snapback]815464[/snapback]
It feels like something else/other issue are in play but maybe that's the counselor in me.



ditto

 

QUOTE(twoplustwo @ Jun 7 2008, 04:10 PM) [snapback]815464[/snapback]
It feels like something else/other issue are in play but maybe that's the counselor in me.


I think so too.

 

I agree with most everyone ... in all fairness ... to each her own ... BUT that being said, the video was more than JUST about nursing. It was very creepy with how the girls drew pictures of their Mother's breasts and seemed a little breast-obsessed. I also agree with someone else who said ... why put this on the internet? I think if I just HEARD of a lady who BF'ed her 8 year old, I would have been much more understanding than when I actually watched the video. Really, watching the child nurse was not disturbing ... but watching them chatter about breasts and breastmilk and draw the pictures was just a little odd to me.

As always, ladies ... I love a good debate!

 

Just to play devil's advocate -- what if the mom wasn't really producing much milk anymore, but the 8-year-old just found comfort in suckling? What if it were an 8-year-old boy -- would that be different?

I did find the video somewhat disturbing. I guess we really can't put an upper limit on nursing, because to each her own....but does anyone think this is normal at age 10? 12? 16?

I'm guessing it's moot, because I doubt anyone is actually nursing at those ages....but then, I wouldn't have guessed many 8-year-olds were nursing, either.

As the mom of a 4-year-old, I can't even *fathom* nursing her at this age, much less four years from now! Granted, she did wean a lot earlier than I wanted, but looking back, I have to agree that between 2 and 3 would have been my upper limit.

 

I think my child shouldnt be able to remember nursing. 8 is definately a bit old. I'd say wean before 3.

 

Just playing devil's advocate...

QUOTE
I think my child shouldnt be able to remember nursing. 8 is definately a bit old. I'd say wean before 3.


Why should they not have memories of nursing?

Btw, I have memories from when I was 18 mo old, and I've heard of people remembering things even earlier. You never know when kids are going to start remembering things.

QUOTE
Again for me personally, it would freak me out of my kids could ask for it.


Why would it freak you out?

And at what point does asking for it become creepy? Some babies learn to sign for milk as early as 6 mo. Others are very verbal even around 12 mo and might have a word for nursing. (Right now, eg, sometimes my DS asks for a snack - "na!" - when he wants to nurse.) Communications skills develop gradually.


I wonder if all the disgust at nursing beyond infancy is because breasts are so highly sexualized in our culture. It seems like it's very hard for some people to truly have a "dual use" image of breasts. Sure, they're sexy, but they're also for nurturing offspring.

QUOTE
I guess what I'm trying to say is that if it's HEALTHY why can't it also be NORMAL? Aside from the symptom-of-a-larger-problem theory, which is what infantilizing would be, I think the only psychological argument against it is that it would make the kid different from their peers. Um, how many of us here learned early not to tell other kids about our weird families?


Well said!

QUOTE
Kind of on a tangent, but around Boston there's always been talk about why Manny Ramirez (goofy Red Sox player) is so bizarre-one theory is that it's because he nursed until he was 4. But I'm certain that's just American culture talking, and not anything more


LOL! :lol: Well, good thing my mom weaned me after a few months, or I'd be even weirder than I am! :crazy:

 

You all have great points! I think for me it would be the same as seeing an 8yr old with a bottle or a pacifier. I definitely think to be nursing at 8yr old, there has to be some psychological issues such as low self esteem.

 

I nursed DD#2 until 20m old ... had to stop since it was making me have contractions.
She most certainly could ask for milk ... both vocally, and by signing. She will still talk about 'milkies', and how much she loves them. For us, this is very normal, and something I look back fondly on.

Do I think it's odd for 8 yo to nurse? Well .... I wouldn't do it, but I never thought I'd be nursing a toddler, either. It all boils down to what works for you and your family. IF I chose to do it, it would be something private. I would not post it online, nor discuss it in forums ... KWIM?

 

I'll chime in I guess...I read the posts first then watched the video. Was the video disturbing? Not really, to each their own. I do think I would have had more mixed feelings about the drawings and naming the breasts and all the discussion if they were eight year old boys...mainly because those are girls and they will be women one day and nurse children of their own most likely. To share the fondness for similar body parts and the nurturing that is obviously still happening I think is ok, for them. Not for me though. Not that I think boys shouldn't nurse as long as girls, but at that age I would think it would be more appropriate that a girl would be interested in breasts in general, as they will have them. Did that make sense? Will I be nursing one of mine til 8? Probably not. I want MY boobs back.

I think maybe the mom is the one who might have the issue, she lets her children think of her breasts as THEIRS. My boobs are MY boobs, not even DH's!

 

QUOTE(greenthumbmama @ Jun 8 2008, 12:36 AM) [snapback]815667[/snapback]
I do 100% think that having so much of our lives on the web is not emotionally healthy especially when it comes to our kids. Haivng a blog for your friends and family is one thing but some people take it too far IMO.


I agree with this 100%. I can't see videos on-line at work, so I haven't seen this video, but what is most distrubing to me is that it exsists. There are no videos of me feeding my girls on-line--no matter what aged they weaned. Why should we, strangers, be watching her bf her kid? It's none of our business.

That said, for me AF stayed away until the last month of my long slow wean. I know it doesn't work like that for everyone, but from what I've read, medical professionals seem to think that's the way is supposed to work for most people. So not talking about our or any other cultural norms, just biology, if you bf for 18 months or two years, then get pregnant and maybe nurse through the pregnancy or maybe not, but the motive for weaning is there is a new baby to feed--then I do think 18-30 months seems like the closest thing to "right time to wean" as we will ever get--except of course in the case of the youngest in the family. In which case I agree, it seems like this mom, might be infantalizing her baby--wanting her child to alway be her baby, and not letting her to grow up.

I'm also not sure how I'd feel it the child was a boy, an 8 year old boy sucking a grown women's breast seems to be walking a fine line between mothering, and sexual abuse, like I said, I haven't quite come to my opinion yet, just thinking aloud on that one.

 

I found it interesting to read what everyone had to say and to watch the video...

The idea of an 8 year old bfing is not for me and doesn't make me comfortable. I think a child should have his or her own self-soothing techniques by then.

Someone mentioned if the child were a boy they would look at the situation differently, I don't see a difference.

I am having trouble articulating what I want to say... The drawing pictures of the breasts and naming them strikes me as unusual behavior for children that age.
I find the mom discussing how the girls love the breasts even though they are saggy, have stretch marks, etc. unusual but that it is about her not about the idea of bfing an 8 year old so much as her. I am curious what has motivated the mom to continue to this point.

 

I just watched the clip and I agree the drawing and discussions were much more odd than the breastfeeding itself!!! I guess I was disturbed by it since I can't stop thinking about it it think it is because my brain started to wander about 8 year olds and I can't help but remember that I got my first period at 9!!! I have no idea why that matters, but the thought of a menstrating young woman nursing just seems so strange to me. Sorry for the strange train of thought, but that is where my brain went when I saw this...
I will say I nursed both of my girls for a year and was a little dissapointed that they were done with it at that point, as well as shocked that I had made it that far. I have no idea how long the twins will go once they arrive, but I can't wait to get started. It is such a personal experience and you must do what works for you, but I do think that the video family was a bit off for many more reasons than the "better than the best mango" extended nursing.