Breastfeeding
 
Question:
Avatar

Just read an article on children being breastfed until age of 7. How old do you think the cut-off age needs to be?

By Major Look at yerself Asked Nov 16 2007 6:19AM
78
Pts
 
 
Rate Question
Answer Question Help someone!
Get the latest questions in Breastfeeding
flag

Welcome to Answerbag, a community of people sharing what they know.
Sign up now to ask a question or help someone else by giving an answer!

signup now
Sort answers by: Rating | DateArrow Down
 

Top Answer out of 46

by aidxen on Jan 24, 2008 at 2:31 pm Permalink

Avatar
It would be interesting to hear from kids who are or were breast fed to an older age.

We have 4 kids about 3 years apart. My wife has breast fed each until the next was born 3 years and then tandem fed for a month or two after.

The last is 4 and still feeding. We have had a couple of discussions about how long to feed for. I think it is a bit wierd but then I am weird anyway. Maybe it is just not the norm. Anyway it would still be interesting to hear from people who were breast fed longer.
36
Pts
 
 
Rate Answer
 
flag
Comments
Avatar Eltinwe has a life Swan - DYOH Apr, 18 2008 at 01:36 PM
Hasn't it bothered her at being nursing that long? I really wanted a break between kids. I know my 4 year old says she sometimes misses nursing still... specially with the anticipation of a baby taking over that activity very soon here.
Avatar Major Look at yerself Jul, 30 2008 at 04:41 PM
I would definitely be interested to hear from people nursed until seven. Thanks
Avatar aidxen Jul, 31 2008 at 02:02 PM
In answer to the question
"Hasn't it bothered her at being nursing that long?"
At times it has obviously been a problem. Like if my wife has some activity or other that she has to get to and my daughter wants to be nursed.
I think that in general she (my wife) gets a feeling of accomplishment. Also of protecting our daughter. She says she is uncomfortable when our daughter asks for it in front of others.
I saw a video on youtube of an English mother who breast fed until 7 or 8 and I showed that to my wife and she was made positive comments.
I would still like to hear from anyone who themselves was breast fed for an extended period of time.

Answer 2 out of 46

by Mini_kilt on Nov 16, 2007 at 11:13 am Permalink

Avatar
I don't think it is up to anybody to decide how long breastfeeding should take place besides the mother and the child, and they should BOTH be considered, people need to do what is right for their family. Most Large medical assosications in the US, Canada and UK reccommend breastfeeding for "Up to 2 years and beyond" Breastmilk never looses it's nutritional values anymore than apples and oranges do, and is great for the well being and helth of both mother and child. I would NEVER nurse my kids to the age of 7 but It's also not my place to judge anybody who does.
23
Pts
 
 
Rate Answer
 
flag
Comments
Avatar Major Look at yerself Nov, 16 2007 at 12:14 PM
I do judge i suppose. I deem it horrible, when they are talking, dressing themselves and ripping open biscuit tins and the fridge door. Thanks +
Avatar Eltinwe has a life Swan - DYOH Apr, 18 2008 at 01:44 PM
This is the best answer I've seen. Most of the objections seem to be negative towards bad behavior or inappropriate behavior of mother or child, or based on an irrational feeling of "weirdness".

Answer 3 out of 46

by Also known as Mommy.. on Nov 16, 2007 at 11:21 am Permalink

Avatar
I breast fed my first daughter for a year. I don't disagree with breastfeeding for longer, but for me it would be creepy to breastfeed a child who is capable of dressing themselves and capable of carrying on intelligent conversations with me.
19
Pts
 
 
Rate Answer
 
flag
Comments
Avatar Major Look at yerself Nov, 16 2007 at 12:11 PM
Yes, i would feel like a controlled milk bar. Thanks +
Avatar Eltinwe has a life Swan - DYOH Apr, 18 2008 at 01:40 PM
I called it feeling like an all-you-can-eat buffet sometimes... and that was when we quit doing it. But I never let my daughter just do whatever she wanted with it either.

Answer 4 out of 46

by Lady Alathia of Vulcan on Apr 14, 2008 at 9:32 am Permalink

Avatar
I'm pregnant now, and am planning on breastfeeding. Most children will wean themselves when they are ready. I've decided, personally, that I am willing to nurse as long as the child wants, up to three years old.

Historically, children have been fed at the breast until they could "chew meat and hard bread". That sounds good to me, as a general guideline.
17
Pts
 
 
Rate Answer
 
flag
Comments
Avatar Galeanda Apr, 18 2008 at 07:33 AM
Thanks for a good reasonable answer:-)
Avatar Anonymous Apr, 18 2008 at 01:19 PM
I see a good point, my kids ate all regular food by 10 months(due to doctors orders) so I guess there is only one conclusion, all kids are different. :) Good luck with your baby.
Avatar Eltinwe has a life Swan - DYOH Apr, 18 2008 at 01:31 PM
Just to warn you Lady Alathia, I took that approach with my first child and ended up having to wean her not by choice. She did fine with it, but she's 4 now, and if she'd had her way, I'm sure she'd still be nursing!

Answer 5 out of 46

by Egico is now Egioz on Nov 16, 2007 at 11:20 am Permalink

Avatar
I breast fed both of my boys until they were around a year old. They pretty much weaned themselves. They got to the point where they were more interested in looking around the room than eating. They both went straight from breast feeding to drinking from straws.

A friend of mine breast fed her children until they were 3. It became uncomfortable when they would run up to her yelling "Mommy I'm thirtsy, I want a drink ," and then pull up her shirt themselves!
17
Pts
 
 
Rate Answer
 
flag
Comments
Avatar Major Look at yerself Nov, 16 2007 at 12:12 PM
I have seen bossy litle ....do that. I feel emotionally violent when i see it. Thanks +
Avatar Eltinwe has a life Swan - DYOH Apr, 18 2008 at 01:42 PM
Yeah, if my daughter had EVER done that, that would've been it then and there. But I'm not very tolerant of bad behavior at all and do not reward it by giving it what it wants.

Answer 6 out of 46

by Anonymous on Nov 16, 2007 at 6:25 am Permalink

Avatar
You've got to be kidding? That goes a bit beyond nutrition...either some woman needs counceling or this child will, in the future, need some counceling.
-Buddy
17
Pts
 
 
Rate Answer
 
flag
Comments
Avatar Major Look at yerself Nov, 16 2007 at 06:35 AM
Or something else, but who am i to judge, + Thanks.

Answer 7 out of 46

by ...... on Nov 16, 2007 at 11:23 am Permalink

Avatar
no longer than 14 months
15
Pts
 
 
Rate Answer
 
flag
Comments
Avatar Major Look at yerself Nov, 16 2007 at 12:10 PM
Thanks +

Answer 8 out of 46

by Wannabe Superhero on Nov 16, 2007 at 6:26 am Permalink

Avatar
usually after the first year. then you would substitute breast milk for that baby milk powder
15
Pts
 
 
Rate Answer
 
flag
Comments show all comments Show More
Avatar Also known as Mommy.. Nov, 16 2007 at 11:53 AM
hmmm, never heard that before....
Avatar Wannabe Superhero Nov, 20 2007 at 04:24 PM
i don't know were they got that idea. its not advised to do that cause the bacteria in the milk could cause long term problems. you should wait until about the 3rd year of the childs life when the immune system could take that kind of stuff.
Avatar Eltinwe has a life Swan - DYOH Apr, 18 2008 at 01:48 PM
Formula is NOTHING like as good as breastmilk, and if you're still giving the kid a bottle, you should be able to give it mommy-milk. The changeover to regular cow milk can be done around a year providing the health of the child is normal, but doctors recommend nursing longer than that for the immune system and other health benefits.

Answer 9 out of 46

by Ezra on Apr 14, 2008 at 9:33 am Permalink

Avatar
By the age of seven they can open the fridge, get some ice and pour their own juice and make a glass for you too. I think seven is too old to continue to breast feed.
13
Pts
 
 
Rate Answer
 
flag
Comments (be the first to comment)

Answer 10 out of 46

by snakelover on Apr 14, 2008 at 9:28 am Permalink

Avatar
a year old, or until they start breaking their teeth. THAT HURTS!!!
13
Pts
 
 
Rate Answer
 
flag
Comments (be the first to comment)


Add an Answer

Just read an article on children being breastfed until age of 7. How old do you think the cut-off age needs to be?

How to write a good answer
Your answer:

Display answer in fixed-width font (good for tables or text diagrams)

Answers must adhere to our Terms of Use

To create links, just type the address with no HTML code. Use the Preview button at the bottom to verify.

You can edit your answer at any time.

Add Video Add Iimage


Important: Answerbag cannot guarantee the accuracy of answers submitted by members, and we recommend that you use common sense when following any advice found here. Read full disclaimer.