Breastfeeding an older baby at WDW

[Lisa loves Pooh]

However, **please** be modest.

Modesty is subjective--what one person fines modest...the other person finds to be immodest.

It is all about using decorum.

OP asked if she would have a problem--suggestions like these are implying that she will have one.

It is common sense to consider others--it is quite another to impose upon someone's legal right to do something--even inicidental exposure of the areola. Perfectly legal. Assuming that women are "flashing you" (implied by your and other statements about the need to be modest) is just plain wrong.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Wow - I wonder what you think of all the women who chose not to who didn't fit your stipulation...and the adoptive mothers....

Do you have any evidence that she is incorrect? As far as I know, there is none that says formula is better or equal for a baby. Which is what she stated. That is a fact that just has to be dealt with by those who cannot or shoose not to BF. It isn't a guilt trip, it just is fact.

 

[becca011906]

Wow - I wonder what you think of all the women who chose not to who didn't fit your stipulation...and the adoptive mothers....

I was only stating that is was can contaminate BF and make it unfit to dirnk... also i know of 4 adoptive mother who are BREASTFEEDING their adopted child, i presonal know 2 other moms who have BF adopted children w/out the use of formual after the first 6 months...

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

and the adoptive mothers....

There are mothers who adopt and succesfully nurse their children (with assistance of a supplentary nurser with formula).

 

[lillygator]

I don't think she was judging anyone...just the poorly stated comment was that nursing is not what breasts are for--but biologically--that is what they are for. Whether or not you choose to use them for that (or don't have a say due to circumstance) is up to you--but bilogically, that is what they are for.

Her comment was no less condescending than the one she was responding to.

I don't think (at least at this point) anyone said that isn't what their biological use (at least part of a woman's life) are for but I pointed out that some women, obviously none on this thread, see them as sexual in nature. NO FLAMES please - some people do!!

 

[mommy22gurlz]

and if the the sole purpose is to feed why can we not just whip them out for squirts from the moment we sprout breasts?

That is so funny lillygator I just got a visual of this.....I needed that!!

 

[lillygator]

Do you have any evidence that she is incorrect? As far as I know, there is none that says formula is better or equal for a baby. Which is what she stated. That is a fact that just has to be dealt with by those who cannot or shoose not to BF. It isn't a guilt trip, it just is fact.

that is not what I was refuting...she said that
"Totally agreen the only reason you can't or shouldn't BF is if you do illiegal street
drugs or on caner meds, or have AIDS.... it's "

which is HER OPINION - that is what I was commenting on. There are plenty of reasons why women may not choose to do it.

 

[tracilicious]

I feel really sorry for the people's kids who are so worried about them being exposed to breastfeeding. It's an opportunity to teach them respect for the wonders of the human body.

Is breastfeeding best for nearly every baby? Yes. Does breasfeeding have proven physiological benefits for mothers. Yes. Those are just the facts. However, I won't judge a mom for formula feeding because it is very difficult to succeed at breastfeeding in today's society. Many mothers feel terribly because they didn't succeed at breastfeeding. In reality, the best parenting tool is love. Instead I direct my activism towards the medical and advertising communities. When there is proper support and education for breastfeeding, then the numbers will rise.

I do have a problem with people who speak out against it, however. I realize, though, that those comments are born of ignorance and uneducation, so I try to be as kind as I can be when responding to naysayers.

 

[becca011906]

that is not what I was refuting...she said that
"Totally agreen the only reason you can't or shouldn't BF is if you do illiegal street
drugs or on caner meds, or have AIDS.... it's "

which is HER OPINION - that is what I was commenting on. There are plenty of reasons why women may not choose to do it.

No my opion only it's also the fact that the best possible thing you can give you child is Breastmilk for the first 1-2years or longer. As recomended by the AAP and WHO...

 

[mommy22gurlz]

I do have a problem with people who speak out against it, however. I realize, though, that those comments are born of ignorance and uneducation, so I try to be as kind as I can be when responding to naysayers.

I 100% agree that breastfeeding is by far the best thing but this comment is very harsh. I think you are judging just a little too much huh?

 

[tracilicious]

I 100% agree that breastfeeding is by far the best thing but this comment is very harsh. I think you are judging just a little too much huh?

No, that comment wasn't about people that choose not to breastfeed, but those who say it shouldn't be done, that it should be hidden, that formula is better, etc. I was referring to people in general, not necessarily this thread exclusively.

 

[welovedis]

To the OP, sorry your thread turned to such a debate. I've got no problem with you exercising your rights to feed your child in public, none whatsoever!

Totally agreen the only reason you can't or shouldn't BF is if you do illiegal street drugs or on caner meds, or have AIDS....

So since I didn't do illegal drugs, wasn't on cancer meds (at that time) and don't have AIDS, then I guess I should have BF my son, huh? Wow, that is the same type of "blanket" comment that is being jumped on by both sides on this issue. You have no right to pass judgement on anyone for what they choose or what was imposed on them by their doctors or medical condition. How dare you state those are the only reasons you can't or shouldn't BF!!! I'm sometimes shocked or appalled at the things I read here on the boards, but that is so blatently ignorant.......

For those who have mentioned that they have no problem with children asking questions, I'd appreciate some advice for my DS, 8, who has a form of autism. While he understands the concept of BF and has seen it before in public and in our friends' homes, etc....I have been having trouble with him staring at women who are BFIP lately--mostly when there is most of their breast(s) exposed. Some of them have been really outspoken and made comments (why doesn't he just take a picture, can't you teach your son some manners, etc..) and I'm wondering if I should say something to them or try to have him apologize for his staring. We usually don't say much about his issues unless he is really out of hand, but now that he is older people think he is being rude and that is not the case. TIA for your suggestions.

 

[Ardenne]

I don't think its weird or rude or anything to do in public and if your child ask you what they are doing ~ it is simple: just answer their question, she's feeding her baby.

That is what breasts are for and I don't see any need hiding it.
Just my opinion!!

Beautifully said, and I couldn't agree more.

It really isn't a complicated question to answer, imho. "She's feeding her baby." Very simple. And if they're old enough to ask for more details, it still doesn't need to become complicated. Just stick to the basic facts -- for instance, "You know that babies drink milk? Well, some babies drink milk from their mommy's breasts."

There are so many things kids are liable to see these days that would be so much more difficult to explain. It just doesn't make sense that so many people think nursing moms should have to go hide somewhere in order to feed their babies. I'm all for modesty -- I just don't think 'modesty' requires hiding away in a private place every time the baby needs fed.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't think (at least at this point) anyone said that isn't what their biological use (at least part of a woman's life) are for but I pointed out that some women, obviously none on this thread, see them as sexual in nature. NO FLAMES please - some people do!!

Right--and that is a choice.




Now where is that padlock?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

that is not what I was refuting...she said that
"Totally agreen the only reason you can't or shouldn't BF is if you do illiegal street
drugs or on caner meds, or have AIDS.... it's "

which is HER OPINION - that is what I was commenting on. There are plenty of reasons why women may not choose to do it.

choose is not meaning the same as lacking ability

 

[mommy22gurlz]

No, that comment wasn't about people that choose not to breastfeed, but those who say it shouldn't be done, that it should be hidden, that formula is better, etc. I was referring to people in general, not necessarily this thread exclusively.

Okay I should have slowed down my reading!! Your right, I first took your comment as targeting the moms who choose not to do it, but I see what you mean now and I agree with you.

 

[tracilicious]

Just curious, but at what age do people think is too old to nurse a child? 4 years, 7 years, 10 years? No flaming just a question....I mean at what point do they no longer need the benefit of breastmilk?

I nursed both my babies until 6 months. I am sorry for some of the mom's who have tried and couldn't do it for whatever reason. I always hate it when someone puts down a mother because she doesn't bf...hugs to you

I think a child is too old if he/she doesn't want to nurse anymore. Biologically, humans are programmed to self-wean between 4 and 6 years. In our society where child led weaning isn't very common, it seems like most self-weaning kids will do so between 3 and 4. I think social factors have something to do with this (they don't see other kids nursing, etc.). I'm never heard of a ten year old nursing, except in a biography I read of a Geisha, who nursed to sleep until she was 13, but that's unheard of in our country, and probably pretty rare elsewhere.

As far as the benefits of breastmilk, a child can survive without it as young as a year old. The benefits of nursing, however, are nutritional and emotional. It isn't purely about physical benefit. A child that nurses until 5 or 6 may just need more time to mature emotionally not to need it anymore.

 

[Ardenne]

For those who have mentioned that they have no problem with children asking questions, I'd appreciate some advice for my DS, 8, who has a form of autism. While he understands the concept of BF and has seen it before in public and in our friends' homes, etc....I have been having trouble with him staring at women who are BFIP lately--mostly when there is most of their breast(s) exposed. Some of them have been really outspoken and made comments (why doesn't he just take a picture, can't you teach your son some manners, etc..) and I'm wondering if I should say something to them or try to have him apologize for his staring. We usually don't say much about his issues unless he is really out of hand, but now that he is older people think he is being rude and that is not the case. TIA for your suggestions.

One of my best friends' eldest son is somewhat autistic as well -- he manages well enough in some situations that people don't realize he's not your average 11 year old, but then other times, he has a really tough time with appropriate social interactions. His issues most often come to the forefront in unfamiliar situations such as being out in a crowd, unfortunately, so she frequently has the same problem -- people thinking he's really rude or poorly disciplined.

Would you be comfortable simply responding, 'I'm sorry, he's autistic and doesn't understand that staring can make people uncomfortable'? That's how my friend handles similar situations. Some people still act like it's a discipline issue even after getting that information -- she even had a man offer to 'beat some manners into him' after he acted out on a bus recently! -- but it would probably help with the majority of moms.

 

[tracilicious]

Where do people see all these exposed breasts? I look for nursing moms and I never see skin.

 

[tracilicious]

Would you be comfortable simply responding, 'I'm sorry, he's autistic and doesn't understand that staring can make people uncomfortable'? That's how my friend handles similar situations. Some people still act like it's a discipline issue even after getting that information -- she even had a man offer to 'beat some manners into him' after he acted out on a bus recently! -- but it would probably help with the majority of moms.

I agree, or if you aren't comfortable with that than just let it be the other people's problems and take care of your son in whatever way is best for him. I have an autistic nephew and it can be quite challenging at times.