People Magazine Article about Breastfeeding after 12 Months

[kidshop]

I only nursed one of my babies, for only 6 weeks. Maybe I live in a more tolerant area, but I'm shocked that strangers would comment negatively to women breastfeeding! That's just crazy.

What I don't understand about extended breastfeeding is why it's done. Bottle feeding moms are told to wean them off at a year, babies are supposed to give up pacifiers at that time. Bottle fed babies are supposed to get the majority of their nutrients from food, and to find other ways of comfort besides sucking something. I had 5 toddlers/preschoolers, and there was so much body contact between myself and the kids, hugging, snuggling.

So, why s nursing ok, but bottles not ok?

The why is hard to define. Each day, the baby is just one day older than before. It's not like imagining breastfeeding 3 year old brand new! The breast is very different ffrom the bottle for many reasons, one being it is attached to the mom. The liquid inside is different too, and is perfectly suited for the age of the child. Breast milk is perfect for human babies. It's kind of crazy to take away perfect milk to have them drink milk from another species. There is no good reason to arbitrarily end nursing if it is satisfying and enjoyable to both parties.

Personally I found extended nursing very relaxing and warm and wonderful! I don't regret a single minute of it. An older child usually only nurses a few minutes a few times a day...so why bother? Well, I found it to be a significant beneficial part of our life back then. I was also very grateful to still be nursing when my dd had ( minor) surgery at 2 years and then 3 years of age. Breast milk is a clear liquid and nursing is super comforting after surgery. Not to mention the antibodies!

I don't know why they take bottles away at a year, maybe dental isues? My ds sucked his thumb until age 6, he's fine and stopped on his own.

 

[mjkacmom]

The why is hard to define. Each day, the baby is just one day older than before. It's not like imagining breastfeeding 3 year old brand new! The breast is very different ffrom the bottle for many reasons, one being it is attached to the mom. The liquid inside is different too, and is perfectly suited for the age of the child. Breast milk is perfect for human babies. It's kind of crazy to take away perfect milk to have them drink milk from another species. There is no good reason to arbitrarily end nursing if it is satisfying and enjoyable to both parties.

Personally I found extended nursing very relaxing and warm and wonderful! I don't regret a single minute of it. An older child usually only nurses a few minutes a few times a day...so why bother? Well, I found it to be a significant beneficial part of our life back then. I was also very grateful to still be nursing when my dd had ( minor) surgery at 2 years and then 3 years of age. Breast milk is a clear liquid and nursing is super comforting after surgery. Not to mention the antibodies!

I don't know why they take bottles away at a year, maybe dental isues? My ds sucked his thumb until age 6, he's fine and stopped on his own.

What an articulate, well written response. This makes a lot of sense.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Now I'm all paranoid... Did I make a typo??? Lol!

Haha, I was referencing my typo in my screen name. I don't think you made any typos.

 

[Lilysmom]

I have no problem with extended breast feeding. I do believe that there is a time and place for everything (especially past a certain age when it's moved past nourishment and onto a coping mechanism for comfort, bonding, etc.) I still allow my newly turned five year old to use a pacifier at night. I'm raising five children and it wasn't like I chopped off the thumbs of the thumb suckers so I don't view his pacifier usage as anything different from that. He will stop using it when he's ready... BUT I would not allow it to be used outside of the bed or during the day or if we were out and about. The same thought process would work in my head with breast feeding older children. If you choose to BF your four year old more power to you. *I* personally wouldn't be doing it in public but I guess to each their own.

 

[Turn the Page]

The why is hard to define. Each day, the baby is just one day older than before. It's not like imagining breastfeeding 3 year old brand new! The breast is very different ffrom the bottle for many reasons, one being it is attached to the mom. The liquid inside is different too, and is perfectly suited for the age of the child. Breast milk is perfect for human babies. It's kind of crazy to take away perfect milk to have them drink milk from another species. There is no good reason to arbitrarily end nursing if it is satisfying and enjoyable to both parties.

Personally I found extended nursing very relaxing and warm and wonderful! I don't regret a single minute of it. An older child usually only nurses a few minutes a few times a day...so why bother? Well, I found it to be a significant beneficial part of our life back then. I was also very grateful to still be nursing when my dd had ( minor) surgery at 2 years and then 3 years of age. Breast milk is a clear liquid and nursing is super comforting after surgery. Not to mention the antibodies!

I don't know why they take bottles away at a year, maybe dental isues? My ds sucked his thumb until age 6, he's fine and stopped on his own.

To the bolded, yes, dental issues. It depends on a lot of factors though. If you are just giving a bottle of milk with their dinner or something like that it isn't as big a deal. However, what tends to happen is the bottle is always available with juice or milk or other sugary drinks in it and the kids carry it around with them and are sucking on it all day. Also, if they are put to bed with a bottle in their mouth the milk or juice or whatever will pool on their teeth and go to work on the enamel. They call it bottle rot for a reason. Now, many of these issues could be solved if they were only given bottles with water in them.

Prolonged bottle use can cause lisps and other speech issues.Long term bottle use can cause issues with the growth of the palate and problems with the mechanics of the tongue and whatnot. My stepdaughters speech therapist has said that she has trouble with a tongue thrust that can really be heard when making the "s" and "z" sounds and she couldn't quite figure out why SD was having that issue until I mentioned that she had been on a bottle until she was 3 years old and it was like a light bulb went off above her head. She just said "oooohhhhhh, that's it."

 

[Chocolate Cake]

Save your pseudo-concern about child porn. That's just offensive.

I don't know why you would think it was "pseudo-concern". I am not who you quoted, but I am sure many who saw those pictures had concerns. A mother in her bra and underwear instructed her pre-school child to strip to his underwear and have his picture taken while just barely sucking her nipple. He isn't even latched on. Why would you tell your son to take his clothes off for this?

 

[Turn the Page]

Wasn't there an episode of Judging Amy or something like that where a mom was taken to court for continuing to breastfeed her school aged son? I seem to recall a scene where the boy, who I think was about 8, was on the stand answering questions and he said that when he takes his lunch to school his mom packs a thermos of milk but it's not cows milk it's breastmilk.

At some point, if you still want your child to have breastmilk, would it not be feasible to express it and let them drink it out of a cup rather than right from the source so to speak? Seems to me that would solve a lot of the problems people have with prolonged BFing.

 

[Chocolate Cake]

I have no problem with extended breast feeding. I do believe that there is a time and place for everything (especially past a certain age when it's moved past nourishment and onto a coping mechanism for comfort, bonding, etc.) I still allow my newly turned five year old to use a pacifier at night.

Us too with the pacifierWell, until 4 and only to get to sleep. It would just hang out of his mouth. I don't even think he sucked it any more. It was such a comfort to him. He did need braces, but most kids have them anyway.

Do people (the few that knew) think it was weird for a 4 year old to have a pacifier? Yes. Did it comfort my child? Yes. But there is a clear difference between a 4 year old sucking on your breast in the middle of the mall for comfort and a pacifier in the privacy of his bed. Hence, your time an place for everything comment, which I agree with 100%.

I don't think there is ever a time and place for a 4 year old to take his clothes off and have his picture taken while breastfeeding with his almost naked mom.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

This is a discussion board, let's all remember. All opinions welcome.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

To the bolded, yes, dental issues. It depends on a lot of factors though. If you are just giving a bottle of milk with their dinner or something like that it isn't as big a deal. However, what tends to happen is the bottle is always available with juice or milk or other sugary drinks in it and the kids carry it around with them and are sucking on it all day. Also, if they are put to bed with a bottle in their mouth the milk or juice or whatever will pool on their teeth and go to work on the enamel. They call it bottle rot for a reason. Now, many of these issues could be solved if they were only given bottles with water in them.

Prolonged bottle use can cause lisps and other speech issues.Long term bottle use can cause issues with the growth of the palate and problems with the mechanics of the tongue and whatnot. My stepdaughters speech therapist has said that she has trouble with a tongue thrust that can really be heard when making the "s" and "z" sounds and she couldn't quite figure out why SD was having that issue until I mentioned that she had been on a bottle until she was 3 years old and it was like a light bulb went off above her head. She just said "oooohhhhhh, that's it."

The dental issues are a biggie. I have a dear friend whose daughter was given far too long. She just turned 3 and went for her first checkup, and the poor kid has to go under general anesthesia next week to have 6 cavities filled. I tried to warn her but she kept on giving the bottle because her daughter cried for it. Sometimes parents have to decide when it's time to wean kids, because it's in the best interest of the child. Kids don't know what is best for them long term, just what feels good right now. Little hedonists.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I wonder how the men feel when their wife still breastfeeds a 3-6 year old? Do they find it hard to transition.....?

 

[DisneyOma]

If you're still breastfeeding a toddler, (never mind a 4 year old) that means you're not expecting to have any more children for a while, right? It would be a serious drain on the body to be pregnant and nursing, and once the newborn needed to nurse, what would the breastmilk be like - the special, important colostrum, or milk made for a toddler?

I didn't read the article, but it sounds like these may be one and done moms, and they have some uber focus on that one child?

I nursed both my children, second one was colicky on my milk, so pediatrician said it would be fine to switch to formula, instead of trying to eliminate what was bugging her. That way, someone else could deal with her fusses from time to time, and I could have a break.

First child graduated top in HS class, went to MIT, now working on doctorate. Nursed for 3 months, with formula supplemented.

Second child graduated 2nd in class from HS, accepted a fantastic scholarship from school of choice, plans on going for doctorate as well.

Wondering if that 3 months of nursing made a difference?

Of course I'm being silly, as breastfeeding is a great choice, but I don't think it's the do all / end all it is being pushed to be. It's a nice, cheap alternative to formula, but I don't think it makes a big deal either way. Well, that is, until you are old enough to ask for it with words!

 

[Turn the Page]

The dental issues are a biggie. I have a dear friend whose daughter was given far too long. She just turned 3 and went for her first checkup, and the poor kid has to go under general anesthesia next week to have 6 cavities filled. I tried to warn her but she kept on giving the bottle because her daughter cried for it. Sometimes parents have to decide when it's time to wean kids, because it's in the best interest of the child. Kids don't know what is best for them long term, just what feels good right now. Little hedonists.

She was lucky. My stepdaughter had to be put under at 3 1/2 to get 11 cavities filled and a year later we discovered she had an abscessed tooth. That round of dental work included two kiddie root canals, 5 silver caps, two more regular cavities filled, and she has yet another cavity that needs filling.

We don't give her junk here, she drinks milk or water at meal times and water in between meals, brushes her teeth twice daily, etc. We know her mother gives her junk when she is there which doesn't help. I caught my MIL letting her walk around the house with a sippy cup full of juice about 3 weeks before her 5th birthday. I told DH then if I ever saw his mother give her a sippy cup again I was forwarding all the dental bills on to her.

 

[Chocolate Cake]

Ack! I can't watch. I am not anti breast feed, but there has got to be a point where an age limit should be recommended.

At 8, I think Children and Youth need to make a mental health visit for everyone involved.

That is where I don't understand WHO's stance of "......and beyond". Here this girl is 8. What's to say she doesn't want to do it until 10? Or 12?

 

[CPanther95]

Here is an 8 year old that continues to nurse. In my opinion, the mother needs help.

IMO, the mother just enjoys eating for two.

 

[mommysaurus]

At 8, I think Children and Youth need to make a mental health visit for everyone involved.

That is where I don't understand WHO's stance of "......and beyond". Here this girl is 8. What's to say she doesn't want to do it until 10? Or 12?

According to mom its okay because she won't go to college breast feeding. So I supposed college is her limit.

I agree on the mental health visit. She talks about the girls touching her breasts, naming them etc....mom is sick and its rubbing off on her daughters.

 

[Disneylover99]

IMO, the mother just enjoys eating for two.

Hmmm. This makes me wonder......If you've been breastfeeding continuously for eight years, are you still burning a lot of extra calories?

 

[Turn the Page]

According to mom its okay because she won't go to college breast feeding. So I supposed college is her limit.

I agree on the mental health visit. She talks about the girls touching her breasts, naming them etc....mom is sick and its rubbing off on her daughters.

That is becoming a popular statement isn't it? Doctors say that about kids who cosleep or are in diapers beyond what is normal. 4 year old not potty trained yet? No need to worry, he won't go to college wearing diapers. 7 year old still sleeping with mom and dad? No biggie, she won't go to college sleeping with mom and dad.

 

[Turn the Page]

Hmmm. This makes me wonder......If you've been breastfeeding continuously for eight years, are you still burning a lot of extra calories?

I would assume so. I remember when I took a prebirth class, granted it was 10 years ago now, but the nurse teaching the class was talking about how many calories you burn when your body produces breastmilk. I would think even years after child birth your body would burn calories so long as you are producing milk. Of course, the nurse also said producing milk only burns like 300 calories a day or so though I don't know how accurate that is and I also imagine it changes based on the amount you're making. I mean really, a 10 month old drinking 25 or 30 ounces a day would surely take more calories to produce than milk for an 8 year old who is really just comforting themselves for a few minutes rather than actually for nutrition.

ETA: You only make as much as the child is consuming so if the 8 year old only drinks an ounce or two a day you aren't producing 30, you're only producing an ounce or two.

 

[DisneyOma]

That is becoming a popular statement isn't it? Doctors say that about kids who cosleep or are in diapers beyond what is normal. 4 year old not potty trained yet? No need to worry, he won't go to college wearing diapers. 7 year old still sleeping with mom and dad? No biggie, she won't go to college sleeping with mom and dad.

When I hear that I always think it means that the kid in question isn't going to have the gumption to go away to college! "He won't go to college. period."