odd breastfeeding question

[GothTink]

I'm blind! I'm blind! I'm blind! Did you HAVE to actually type those words so I'd have to READ them? I am dead certain to have nightmares tonight.

Since SIL told you to MYOB and you all want to hold down your Thanksgiving meal instead of tossing your cookies, I'd tell her it was my own business because it is my own house. And in my own house, kids that are old enough to order from a menu, read a book, do math homework, and prepare simple meals for themselves are NOT allowed to ask to suckle on mommy's hoo-hahs right in front of God and everybody because it's just not done....at least in my house. Period.

For the record, I don't care about what is done in other societies. This is America we're talking about (the OP was an American, wasn't she? ) and in our society, breastfeeding a 6 and 8 y.o. is not acceptable. Forcing others to watch it is even less acceptable. If you want to question why others find it uncomfortable, it's because they have a clue as to social conventions and have picked up on "it's not NORMAL in our society." SIL is the odd one out, not them. She's not brave....she's weird.

I'll come out and say it. I'd draw a line in the sand on this one. Someone needs to stand up to that nutcase. And as I often tell DH, "Obviously no one else is going to do it, so I guess it will have to be me." Fine. If she calls your bluff, tell her in front of everyone that you won't allow it. If she insists, tell those kids you think they are too old to nurse and it's not going to happen in your house and let the fallout begin. Since I'd be tempted to call CPS anyway, what does it matter?

Why should teenagers (or adults) have to watch something that freaking weird? Why should they be held hostage by a bully breastfeeder? I'd be tempted to have the 18 y.o. have a bunch of his buddies come over for a viewing with their camcorders/call phones and post it on youtube.

Seriously, this would NOT happen in my house. I'll bet everyone is praying someone else will stop her......It's just that no one else has the nerve to do it. So do the world a favor and stop her in her tracks. If for no other reason, for the sake of her children.

THIS. ALL OF THIS.

 

[MnMomtoboys]

I get that she has a right to breast feed her children but the rest of the family has a right not to watch. Tell her its your house and she needs to respect the feelings of the rest of the famiy and go into another room. Anyone that chooses to watch can go with her.

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
It is not normal and no- they do not do this in other parts of the world. Oh- and if you have an only child- you are not nursing as by 5,6,7,8 years old because the milk dries up! Those kids are simply using their Mom's bubbies as a pacifier. blech blah yuck eeeeek! There is no reason in the world to nurse a child to that age and imo it is abuse. What happens when they go to school? Does she stand at the school yard fence and stick her ninny through? Gross.

I need a mental eraser.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I need a mental eraser.

You and me both and I posted it!

 

[Cinderella94]

I need a mental eraser.

You and me both and I posted it!

Get me one of those too!

 

[cepmom]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
It is not normal and no- they do not do this in other parts of the world. Oh- and if you have an only child- you are not nursing as by 5,6,7,8 years old because the milk dries up! Those kids are simply using their Mom's bubbies as a pacifier. blech blah yuck eeeeek! There is no reason in the world to nurse a child to that age and imo it is abuse. What happens when they go to school? Does she stand at the school yard fence and stick her ninny through? Gross.

holy crap!!!!!!!
I can picture it now! It's seriously disturbing yet sooo funny

I totally agree about the breastfeeding being used onthe older kids as a comfort/coping skill, but I find it completely disturbing. How about teaching your kids other ways of comforting themselves so they aren't going to need to suck on your "ninnies" when they're 43??

 

[Plannin'Shannon]

You and me both and I posted it!

Get me one of those too!

Good luck!

 

[Cinderella94]

Is anyone else just now thinking about how much of an understatement the title of this thread is ?

 

[esbrick]

I'm blind! I'm blind! I'm blind! Did you HAVE to actually type those words so I'd have to READ them? I am dead certain to have nightmares tonight.

Since SIL told you to MYOB and you all want to hold down your Thanksgiving meal instead of tossing your cookies, I'd tell her it was my own business because it is my own house. And in my own house, kids that are old enough to order from a menu, read a book, do math homework, and prepare simple meals for themselves are NOT allowed to ask to suckle on mommy's hoo-hahs right in front of God and everybody because it's just not done....at least in my house. Period.

For the record, I don't care about what is done in other societies. This is America we're talking about (the OP was an American, wasn't she? ) and in our society, breastfeeding a 6 and 8 y.o. is not acceptable. Forcing others to watch it is even less acceptable. If you want to question why others find it uncomfortable, it's because they have a clue as to social conventions and have picked up on "it's not NORMAL in our society." SIL is the odd one out, not them. She's not brave....she's weird.

I'll come out and say it. I'd draw a line in the sand on this one. Someone needs to stand up to that nutcase. And as I often tell DH, "Obviously no one else is going to do it, so I guess it will have to be me." Fine. If she calls your bluff, tell her in front of everyone that you won't allow it. If she insists, tell those kids you think they are too old to nurse and it's not going to happen in your house and let the fallout begin. Since I'd be tempted to call CPS anyway, what does it matter?

Why should teenagers (or adults) have to watch something that freaking weird? Why should they be held hostage by a bully breastfeeder? I'd be tempted to have the 18 y.o. have a bunch of his buddies come over for a viewing with their camcorders/call phones and post it on youtube.

Seriously, this would NOT happen in my house. I'll bet everyone is praying someone else will stop her......It's just that no one else has the nerve to do it. So do the world a favor and stop her in her tracks. If for no other reason, for the sake of her children.

PS ~ I agree with this and wish I was as eloquent as Emom!

 

[RainbowBrite]

I think the adults need to look into their own hearts and try to figure out what skewed senses of right and wrong and child feeding and even why they think it's so very weird for an older child to want sweet sweet milk (containing antibodies and ALL sorts of good stuff) every so often. Tell the teens to avert their eyes. And leave SIL alone.

Really? I think SIL is the one with skewed senses of right and wrong. An 8 year old should not be sucking on his/her mother's breasts. Period. Milk also comes out of a very handy dandy milk carton which you can buy at any grocery store

 

[tlbwriter]

I totally agree about the breastfeeding being used onthe older kids as a comfort/coping skill, but I find it completely disturbing. How about teaching your kids other ways of comforting themselves so they aren't going to need to suck on your "ninnies" when they're 43??

This is what bothers me. I know how nutritious breastmilk is, but these kids aren't getting nutrition, they're getting comfort. And at that age they REALLY need to be getting comfort from something other than oral sensations and/or food!

 

[Mrs. Charming]

You could do what some of my friends did when I was nursing...

Set up a comfy room for your SIL and her kids so she can nurse in private. When she arrives, show her the room with pillows and drinks and books and a CD player with music, and tell her that you want to do whatever will make her most comfortable. You can also comment that this way she'll be able to nurse without distractions.

If there's a place for her to put a sleepy child with a full belly down to sleep in the room, that's even better.

It might be hard for her to say no, if she's got such a nice place to hang out!

That's what I'd do and hope she both got the hint and couldn't resist.

And secretly be a bit weirded out.

 

[Christine]

EMom--Standing Ovation to you! I wish there was a smilie for that.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Is anyone else just now thinking about how much of an understatement the title of this thread is ?

It's so beyond understatement!

 

[LiberalPrincess]

I would totally go with the my house my rules argument. And I would tell her it would not just be the kids giggling and staring at the sight of an 8 year old breast feeding. I know I would be freaked out seeing it and probably giggle inappropriately. At least I know my limits! And this is not an anti-breast feeding post. I would be just as shocked to see an 8 year old drinking out of a bottle with a "ninny".

 

[Pluto 2]

do they live in the south? what state are they from?

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

I need a mental eraser.

Understatement of the day.

 

[madcam]

I'm blind! I'm blind! I'm blind! Did you HAVE to actually type those words so I'd have to READ them? I am dead certain to have nightmares tonight.

Since SIL told you to MYOB and you all want to hold down your Thanksgiving meal instead of tossing your cookies, I'd tell her it was my own business because it is my own house. And in my own house, kids that are old enough to order from a menu, read a book, do math homework, and prepare simple meals for themselves are NOT allowed to ask to suckle on mommy's hoo-hahs right in front of God and everybody because it's just not done....at least in my house. Period.

For the record, I don't care about what is done in other societies. This is America we're talking about (the OP was an American, wasn't she? ) and in our society, breastfeeding a 6 and 8 y.o. is not acceptable. Forcing others to watch it is even less acceptable. If you want to question why others find it uncomfortable, it's because they have a clue as to social conventions and have picked up on "it's not NORMAL in our society." SIL is the odd one out, not them. She's not brave....she's weird.

I'll come out and say it. I'd draw a line in the sand on this one. Someone needs to stand up to that nutcase. And as I often tell DH, "Obviously no one else is going to do it, so I guess it will have to be me." Fine. If she calls your bluff, tell her in front of everyone that you won't allow it. If she insists, tell those kids you think they are too old to nurse and it's not going to happen in your house and let the fallout begin. Since I'd be tempted to call CPS anyway, what does it matter?

Why should teenagers (or adults) have to watch something that freaking weird? Why should they be held hostage by a bully breastfeeder? I'd be tempted to have the 18 y.o. have a bunch of his buddies come over for a viewing with their camcorders/call phones and post it on youtube.

Seriously, this would NOT happen in my house. I'll bet everyone is praying someone else will stop her......It's just that no one else has the nerve to do it. So do the world a favor and stop her in her tracks. If for no other reason, for the sake of her children.

I am going to be terribly narrow-minded and judgemental on this one....that is DEEPLY DISTURBING!! (I even think BFing the 3yr old is gross )

NO WAY would I subject the rest of my guests to this. If she won't back down I would tell my MIL that we would have to move the dinner to her house. Then I would take my family and leave the second she unhooked her bra to "feed" her FIRST AND THIRD GRADERS!!!

 

[Pluto 2]

what is the movie that came out about a year ago and a kid came up to his mom and said im hungry than started breastfeeding?

 

[EllenFrasier]

You could do what some of my friends did when I was nursing...

Set up a comfy room for your SIL and her kids so she can nurse in private. When she arrives, show her the room with pillows and drinks and books and a CD player with music, and tell her that you want to do whatever will make her most comfortable. You can also comment that this way she'll be able to nurse without distractions.

If there's a place for her to put a sleepy child with a full belly down to sleep in the room, that's even better.

It might be hard for her to say no, if she's got such a nice place to hang out!

I think this is an excellent suggestion. I remember when I was breastfeeding my kids (only up to age 9 months or so) I was uncomfortable doing it in front of anyone else and would have loved to have my own "space". It's hard to relax with people around.
I won't comment on the older children being allowed to nurse - but by my saying I won't comment am I really commenting?