Should a mother breastfeed a child of six?

[KnitShoni]

I caught enough flak for breastfeeding until my little one was two. There is no way I would have subjected myself to that for another four years, especially when it wouldn't really do either of us any good.

[BigGiant]

Does it really matter?

It isn't like it is sexual in any way to the child until just before puberty.

They are just bewbs, every woman has them, and quite a few men, too.

I don't see the big deal.

[anakhouri]

The WHO actually recommends breastfeeding until the age of two, so you were exactly right, KnitShoni.

I can see breastfeeding longer if you live in a third-world country, as it guarantees your child will get the nutrition they need. But in first-world countries, breastfeeding for six years fulfills an emotional need rather than a nutritional one, probably for the mother more than the child. I doubt there's anything intrinsically harmful in it, so it's a personal choice.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Cept to the child later on, when he or she becomes a target of bullies. The fact that a lot of these mothers tell their child not to tell anyone, shows that they aren't as sure that it's not wrong as they like to think. I also wonder at anything that is done purely so that the mother can benefit over the child, even in such a small way as this.

[BigGiant]

Well, if they're telling their child not to tell anyone, that doesn't necessarily mean that they think it is wrong.

It is probably because they understand that others think it is wrong and are trying to protect their children from the bullies.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Breastfeeding a child that age doesn't have any benefits save to the mother; ie, what has already been said. So, if that's the case, then why would they even consider that option? Why would they think their child would be bullied?

[gremcint]

I clearly remember numerous things from when I was around 5 years old.

Ask yourself one question: would YOU want to REMEMBER your mother breastfeeding you?

[elsporko]

How does breastfeeding a child make them the target for bullies unless these are some sort of magic bullies that know what goes on inside other people's homes?

[Lace Neil Singer]

Cuz the child tells them? If you'd read my posts, you'd see that I clearly stated that the mother is telling the children to NOT tell them. Therefore, if they did tell the other kids, that would make them a target for bullies; kids who bully tend to home in on other kids who are different.

[Fire_on_High]

Go figure- I used to have an adult tomcat and his mommacat who lived with us, and they made like the guy and his mom in the bitty video.

We've got a cat like this. We got 10 week old brothers and our (spayed) calico suddenly decided hey...she had a litter of kittens she'd somehow just misplaced for a bit!

Nearly 4 years later, she still treats him as if he were a helpless newborn, grooming him and such, and he still attempts to nurse from her.

[fireheart17]

Nearly 4 years later, she still treats him as if he were a helpless newborn, grooming him and such, and he still attempts to nurse from her.

I think the grooming part is common when you have multiple cats...we've got 2 who are 5 and 6 and are different breeds. They tend to clean each other quite a bit...it was funny when the 5-year-old was still a kitten and managed to get teh older one into a headlock so he could clean his head.

[PepperElf]

To be honest, I think that once a child develops teeth, they need to be off the breast and on to solids

Mom knew a lady who said that exact same thing... right after she got bitten on her nipple.


now yes in historical situations women have breastfed longer. but not THAT much longer. maybe up to a couple of years, but not for a child who is able to walk around and feed themselves.


the problem with extended breast feeding past teething is...
1) time. most women don't always have the time to sit down and feed like that, not for a *prolonged* period of time

2) teething, cos most women, even with hardened nipples, don't want them to be *bitten*

3) creepy factor. cos i'll be honest if your child is at the point where he or she can dress themselves and use the toilet (by age 6 that's normal, give or take some accidents) ... if they're still sucking on mom's nipple for food, then there's going to be a LOT of questions, mainly ones pertaining to abuse (both physical and sexual)... especially if mom's saying the magic words of "don't tell others, they won't understand!"



because that line is also used by people who are sexually abusing their kinfolk.
don't tell on daddy he might get in trouble and they'll take you away
don't tell on mommy, the kids may make fun of you

basically it's putting pressure on the child, and can instill the mentality that if they get caught it'll be the kid's fault for telling

[Fire_on_High]

I think the grooming part is common when you have multiple cats...we've got 2 who are 5 and 6 and are different breeds. They tend to clean each other quite a bit....

Yeah, to some degree it is. We see a good bit of mutual grooming between all of the adults, but she flat out pins him down and shines every inch of him like he was a newborn, whereas the rest get a bit around the ears or whatever's in reach.

[phantasy]

Compared to other peoples posts, I'm going to feel pretty bad for saying this.

I live in Peru, and I often see mothers breatfeeding their children around ages of 4-5. I don't like seeing it, especially in public, and said child is walking around, trying to pull up the mom's shirt. For some reason, the article also makes me think of India, in the middle-east in general where it's normal to breastfeed until age 4-6.

I feel like mothers that breastfeed until children are 4-6 are just doing it because it's "free food" for the child. Like "well, if I give them like that my body is producing for free, then the child doesn't have to eat actual food that costs money" That's mainly what I think to Peruvian women that do it.

I realize that the women in the article are American or British, but still. My thoughts still flow the same way.

[Rebel]

The mothers could be breastfeeding past 6 months for a variety of reasons.
My sister has a 3 year old son that she still breastfeeds, and she has no real thought as to when she's going to stop. The main reason is because he was a quite sickly child and she wants to make sure he has all the extra help for his immune system that he can get.

On the flip side, I'm still being reminded of how evil I was by suddenly stopping breastfeeding before my mum was ready at 6 months. It's painful for the mother to do that (as I have been told again and again).

Though I do have to admit, the idea of a 6 year old still breastfeeding does seem slightly wrong to me. I think it's because they seem more like little people at that age instead of just your little baby.