at what age did your child stop breastfeeding?

[Tigger&Belle]

Personally, I can't even imagine nursing a child who is 6 1/2yo. I have a 6yo son and I can just imagine the look on his face if I mentioned it. Yesterday I asked him if he still liked Barney and he was embarrassed at the thought of that.

And I did nurse all my kids--most of them were between 14-16 months old when they weaned, but one was 2 1/2. I swear, he would have nursed a lot longer, but I'd decided enough was enough. Funny thing is that he is now the most independent so a long nursing child doesn't make a dependent older child for sure.

But 6 1/2 years? I don't think so...

Marseeya, talk about biting the teet that feeds you!

 

[jgmklmhem]

Serious (no sarcasm) what does the pumping, if you no longer have a child whom breast feeds, do? Whats the purpose?

My wife had pumped a great deal to feed our daughter before her cleft palate was repaired since she could not suck normally. Once the palate was repaired we had a pretty large stockpile of frozen milk. There are places (Presbyterian Hospital in Denver I think is where she sent hers) that take the milk sort of like blood storages for those who do not want to or cannot use formula for whatever reasons and are having problems giving milk themselves. There was huge screening process of the milk once it arrived (had to be dry ice packed) and of my wife (blood tests, drug tests, Aids etc etc).

As to the OT my wife breastfed our oldest to 2yo and our second (the one with the cleft and other birth defects) is still ongoing at 2yrs 3mos. Both were/are given age appropriate foods at the right times but still did BF as well.

 

[georgina]

Mine nursed until 21 months, 2.5 years, and 3 years. After age 2, it was mostly at bedtime for a very short period of time, more as a comfort and bedtime routine than for food. My youngest (after age 2) used to try to nurse other times, and I usually distracted her with something else. None of my kids ate much in the way of solid food before age 1, and they are all very healthy and have few allergy troubles. I have a hard time imagining a 6.5 year old nursing, but I did know someone who nursed till age 5. it worked for them.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I could not imagine nursing my 4 year old either.

 

[kdibattista]

Man, I was really hoping for some new crockpot recipes

 

[Cantw8]

Serious (no sarcasm) what does the pumping, if you no longer have a child whom breast feeds, do? Whats the purpose?

I stopped at about 6 months, with both. Simply cuz they were feeding more then I could handle. And when I was lactating, my "bottles" were enourmous. Just gigantic and I had to use both hands to do so, otherwise I'd smother my child.

Doctor "*HOW* did the baby suffocate?"

So it became hours of feeding, and not being able to do anything else.

That being said - Not my business how old a child is, if theyre still being breastfed. Not my kids (or "bottles)

Your "bottles"...is that like "dirty pillows"???

 

[DVCJEN]

No matter what-- 6 1/2 is just wrong. What about the social damage to the child? What a selfish,selfish mother.

 

[lil mermaid]

My DD is 19 months old and still wants to nurse once in awhile. She mainly does it when she isn't feeling well or is really upset about something, but most days she can take it or leave it. She was pretty much weaned until a couple of months ago, when she got pretty sick with a virus. She wouldn't eat anything, or drink anything from a cup, but she would nurse. I was thankful that I had a way to get some fluids and calories into her. I think our nursing days are numbered though and that she will stop wanting it soon.

I am not sure of the age when I think that a child should definitely stop breastfeeding - but I can tell you for sure that it is way before age 6 1/2! I cannot even imagine that!

 

[CathrynRose]

Man, I was really hoping for some new crockpot recipes

Gross - LOLOLOL!

Perhaps a creamed soup?

 

[Maleficent13]

I can remember a great deal from those years and it would be quite horrifying to have "Mom's nipple in my mouth" as one of those memories. Yes, I absolutely believe that breastfeeding a 6 year old is setting them up for years of future threapy.

I know I said I wasn't going to say anything, but this made me go

I had never put myself in the shoes of a nursing first grader before. If I had memories of my mom BFing me while I was learning my multiplication table, I think I would be scarred for life.

 

[In a hurry]

All I know is that as a manadatory reporter if one of my first graders came in talking about that type of intimate contact with a parent, I would be reporting. A kid that age should have developed a few other coping skills by that age.

My daughter was a preemie, and we nursed (and supplemented) for about 18 months. DS is still at it at 5 months.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I think a mother breastfeeding a 6-year-old is doing so for herself and not the child.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Mine breastfed until 12 months and 8 months. Lots of women in my family breastfeed till age 3.

This is a hard subject. I hesitate to call nursing a 6 year old "child abuse" because at what age would you draw that line? A mom nursing a 4 year old is okay, but at 5.5 they can be arrested for child abuse? The line is just too blurry to call it that.
I think that there is an age at which most children naturally develop some modesty. In my experience it seems to be around age 5. My 5-year-old, who not long ago would have run around Target naked if I had let him, is developing a desire to be appropriately covered up. Also, I jumped out of the shower to answer the phone the other day, half-covered by a towel, and DS yelled, "MOMMY! I don't want to see you NEKKID!!!" A few months ago he would not have even noticed. I think this natural period of developing modesty may be the best guide for an absolute end of when breastfeeding can be healthy for the child.

 

[CathrynRose]

I think a mother breastfeeding a 6-year-old is doing so for herself and not the child.

I dont get this. This has been said a few times...

You mean some sort of sexual pleasure from it? Thats an awfully harsh allegation to make, dont you think?

And not undermining your opinion, but again - awfully harsh allegation, thats all.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

18 months and 3yo.

It is my opinion to worry about my own children and my own breasts and not so much about others.

And just b/c an older child may still be nursing--it cannot be equated with an infant who gets their complete nutrition from it. It isn't an all day event--sometime just a minute or two at bedtime--sometimes for a real serious reason as when my oldest sustained 2nd degree burns at 18 months.

Those who think it is child abuse--unless it is forced against the childs wishes--abuse it is not. No more abusive than those who allow their children to still bottle feed or suck on their pacifier at similar ages.

 

[chobie]

I think a mother breastfeeding a 6-year-old is doing so for herself and not the child.

It can be argued than many decisions a mother makes is for "herself". Choosing to have an epidural, bottle feeding, crying it out etc.

 

[Mermaid02]

I dont get this. This has been said a few times...

You mean some sort of sexual pleasure from it? Thats an awfully harsh allegation to make, dont you think?

And not undermining your opinion, but again - awfully harsh allegation, thats all.

I took it more of a for her own emotional needs. More of a need to be needed sort of thing.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I dont get this. This has been said a few times...

You mean some sort of sexual pleasure from it? Thats an awfully harsh allegation to make, dont you think?

And not undermining your opinion, but again - awfully harsh allegation, thats all.

Because I believe you breastfeed a child for it's nourishment. A 6 year old would be eating solid foods. Why on earth would he/she need breastmilk? They WOULDN'T. Also some folks nurse(d) for occasional comfort. That's fine too. But a 6 year old should know how to deal with "crisis" in ways other than having mommy's tata in his/her mouth.

I think mothers who do this have something wrong with their thinking is all. I think they get some kind of wierd pleasure out of it, not sexual, just wierd.

Let me ask you this: what reason do you think it would be totally fine to breastfeed an average healthy 6 year old?

 

[Davids-Coco]

We definately aren't there yet, but have discussed breastfeeding till 3. But, by that time, I may exclusively pump and they can have it in a sippy cup or reg cup. Beyond that time period though, is there something wrong with exclusively pumping and feeding in a cup? I don't see one personally, but I can see how some would feel otherwise.

ETA: Obviously in addition to age approp. foods.

 

[malibuconlee]

I believe they have meant it's the mother not being able to "let go" and have the child grow up, not as a sexual thing.

(Hey, it made it to page 4!!)