Time Cover - What do you think?

[kidshop]

So you can't answer it. If there was a true need for it then it would be easy to answer.

And what answer would satisfy you?

 

[LuvsDragonflies]

One that would explain the necessity of having a four year old (yeah I know the kid is something like 34.25 months old or something) hanging from your **** on the cover of a magazine.

I mean, are four year olds country wide being denied something tangible here? Or is it just mommies who can't "let go"?

 

[Hannathy]

And what answer would satisfy you?

What the true need is for a 4 yr old to be breastfeeding.

 

[kidshop]

One that would explain the necessity of having a four year old (yeah I know the kid is something like 34.25 months old or something) hanging from your **** on the cover of a magazine.

I mean, are four year olds country wide being denied something tangible here? Or is it just mommies who can't "let go"?

Again, isn't the article supposed to be anti long term nursing or to show how icky it is? I am not speaking of the cover shot, just long term nursing in general. The cover shot is not an accurate representation although it seems many think it is LOL.

It is not a necessity, it is a bonus. Some people think nursing a few weeks is too long, some people think a few years is. . I'm quite confident I did the right thing for me and my dd. no negatives whatsoever for us.

 

[kidshop]

What the true need is for a 4 yr old to be breastfeeding.

A true need as you define it though, right?

 

[Mermaid02]

Saw them on the Today show... I wasn't terribly impressed.

 

[Hannathy]

A true need as you define it though, right?

Yes a tangible, easily defined, child based actual need. One that if a child wasn't having it met would negatively affect a child. And can be met no other way than breast feeding.

I think that is a pretty textbook explanation of what a need is.

 

[JessicaR]

Saw them on the Today show... I wasn't terribly impressed.

I missed it and wanted to see it! Will have a look online for the interview.

Impressed with what though? With the mom and the situation?

Going to Google now!

 

[mombrontrent]

What the true need is for a 4 yr old to be breastfeeding.

Why does their have to be a "true need" to breastfeed a preschooler? If mother and child are both happy and content isn't that enough. Just becasue in your opinion it's too old doesn't mean you are right. I breastfed all my kids the longest being 18 months and would have continued longer but she weaned herself after my supply dropped. She used to ask for "milky". This meant she was tired and ready for nap or bedtime as that is the only time I nursed her at this age (and yes once during the night, even at 18 months old and I didn't mind at all). Just becasue she could ask for it doesn't mean she was too old. There are alot of things people do in this country without their being a "true need". There is no true need for ice cream, pop and candy but I see kids everyday eating those. I think the breastmilk is far better than a can of pop for a 3 year old. Yes there is nutritional benifit in breastmilk for a small child, alot more nutrition in brestmilk then juice, pop or cow's milk. I can't think of anything negative coming from a preschooler breastfeeding only postive. Some people are just so uptight.

 

[kidshop]

Yes a tangible, easily defined, child based actual need. One that if a child wasn't having it met would negatively affect a child. And can be met no other way than breast feeding.

I think that is a pretty textbook explanation of what a need is.

Well, there are antibodies made specific to the child. Their immune system is not fully developed until around age 5. It's an extra protection for illness. That's tangible and getting an illness is a negative! Will they die without it? Nope, but it sure is nice to have extra antibodies.

I suspect nothing I would say will be good enough for you, b/c I can't relate to only parenting In such a way that I merely provide for needs that can be met no other way. (like oxygen?!). it's kind of a rigid way of thinking, and I am flexible and open.

 

[Zandy595]

Well, there are antibodies made specific to the child. Their immune system is not fully developed until around age 5. It's an extra protection for illness. That's tangible and getting an illness is a negative! Will they die without it? Nope, but it sure is nice to have extra antibodies.

I suspect nothing I would say will be good enough for you, b/c I can't relate to only parenting In such a way that I merely provide for needs that can be met no other way. (like oxygen?!). it's kind of a rigid way of thinking, and I am flexible and open.

Actually, a baby's immune system is fully developed when they're about six months old.

 

[snoopy5386]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/story/2012-05-11/breastfeeding-rates/54909940/1

Article from an anthropologist about extended breastfeeding.

 

[DaisyLynn]

Reading this thread reminded me of the woman who breastfed her 8 year old. If you're interested, Google breastfeeding at 8. That was way worse!

Creepy.

 

[EMom]

Granted, I am female and have not.....accessed anyone's breasts as an adult, but.......

I think that if I were a man and I began to get romantic with a woman and chose to visit her breast area (so to speak) in a fashion that involved something other than my hands (if you get my drift, trying to not get points here) and a memory of me doing that same thing to my MOTHER at age 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. came to mind.............Well, the physical romance and mood just might fizzle right there on the spot. I can see where doing to same thing to your intimate partner (minus the milk) that you remember doing to your mother just might make for complicated situations and general weirdness. Eeeeewwww.

A baby is a different matter, as I would assume very few can remember that much detail from such an early age.

 

[QVCshopper]

Ugh! The judging in our society is awful!

I remember nursing my mom. Must have been 3, possibly 4, and my mom was an active member of the LLL. Does that make me a bad person? I'm probably the only person on this thread who can say they have this memory. It's ok, I grew up to be a functional member of society.

I am female, have 3 kids of my own, and currently nurse my baby. (I nursed my first until 7 months and my second until 19 months). It's a wonderful thing, and I wish more women would try. For one, it's free, for two, it's easy after the beginning, and three it's good for both of us. No bottles, no mixing, etc. I don't judge those that bottle feed; to each their own, but why the judging of nursing? I hear words like gross, etc., and hardly ever see anyone besides myself nursing. I guess I also attachment parent, but I don't really abide by any books on the subject. I just like to take care of my baby in a way that makes us both happy--whether cosleeping or baby wearing or nursing. Is that so wrong?

 

[maddiel]

So should we all stop eating carrots because there is no tangible need to eat them? Or should we still eat them because the benefits of eating them outweigh the risks?

I suspect that breastfeeding 3 to 4-year-olds would be more acceptable if more people were to continue breast feeding until the medically recommended minimum of 2+ years. Breastfeeding newborns is reasonably normalized, but the comments on this thread clearly show that breastfeeding older babies/children is not.

M.

 

[snoopy5386]

Interview with the mom on the cover
http://healthland.time.com/2012/05/10/q-a-with-jamie-lynne-grumet/

Interview with another mom featured in the story
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dionna-ford/time-magazine_b_1507799.html

Great blog post about how "normal" moms become extended breastfeeders
http://thestir.cafemom.com/toddler/...m_source=facebook&utm_content=natural_fanpage

 

[jennyjinx3]

I went to ONE La Leche League meeting. The person that ran it had a 4 year old that was running around playing. At one point, he ran up, lifted his mom's shirt, slurped up some milk, and ran off to play again. It was totally natural for both mom and son. Me? I hightailed it out of there and never returned.

I do believe in BFing and did so with my DD but when a child is old enough to say, "Yo, mom? Hit me up with some milk," it is time to stop the BFing, IMO. Obviously, others feels very differently regarding this issue.

I BF all my DD too...but I have too say this post is

 

[jennyjinx3]

You're supposed to be insulted and annoyed -- it's provocative pseudo-journalism designed to get buzz going.

That's they the mother on the cover is model thin and attractive -- so they can sexualize breast feeding to appeal to straight men (and nursing fetishists) and make some women jealous and feel inadequate. Because it wouldn't have been as titillating to see a short, overweight, dumpy woman in mom jeans and a Mickey tee-shirt with an exposed breast, now would it? Nope, they specifically chose an attractive slim woman to appeal and aggravate.

Very well put.

 

[joviroxx]

So should we all stop eating carrots because there is no tangible need to eat them? Or should we still eat them because the benefits of eating them outweigh the risks?

I suspect that breastfeeding 3 to 4-year-olds would be more acceptable if more people were to continue breast feeding until the medically recommended minimum of 2+ years. Breastfeeding newborns is reasonably normalized, but the comments on this thread clearly show that breastfeeding older babies/children is not.

M.

So are you saying people bf at 3-4 for the health benefits? Im not really sure how this works...What about regular food? Is bf done regularly, as part of a meal? or just whenever? Figuring they are 3-4, they may have gone to birthday parties and eaten cake and candy?

Im just having a tough time accepting that people are doing it for the health benefits. For comfort, yes, but for health benefits? I also believe many women don't want to let go and rationalize away.