[purelegance]

this is off another forum i'm on, and i wasn't really sure where to post this, so please move it to the correct area.

this is a video, more like a documentary, of a woman who still breastfeeds her 7 year old daughter.

personally, i can't imagining BF my child past a year, but i know plenty of moms that BF until 2 years (which still seems normal to me). how old is too old for BFing?


(in case the link doesn't work --- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRyRCHuQ7g )

[twinzplus3]

Very interesting. I totally believe in child led weaning but after a certain point all of my children have been so much more interested in other things. My two oldest children weaned themselves during Christmas time when there was lots of activity and bustle. . .I wonder if she encouraged it for a very long length of time.

[chrissyf320]

I know I could and would never do that! But more power to them if they can make it work. IMO it's kinda weird to think of your child asking to be BF. I think once my child would say "hey mom lift your shirt, I'm hungry" I think that would be a clue that it's been long enough! I understand all the benefits of BF an infant, but is it really necessary to be BF a child that is eating solid food? Shouldn't they be getting enought nutrients from that?

[twinzplus3]

No. . .the benefits of breastfeeding go well beyond infancy. It's not just about the nutrients (and actually breastfeeding is the perfect "supplement" to toddlers that decide to eat one or two foods for months on end) but also about the immunological properties that are in breastmilk. There have also been numerous studies on the pschological and social benefits of breastfeeding for long periods of time. Also, breastfeeding for that long substantially lowers your risk of breast cancer, boosts your metabolism, combats ppd (in theory anyways) and a whole slew of other benefits. WHO recoommends breastfeeding for at least 2 years (and longer if possible). I have to admit though that I can't get so into 7 whole years of breastfeeding the same child!

[chrissyf320]

I didn't really mean strictly infant, I know that BF has benefits beyond infancy, but I don't think BF a 7 year old is necessary.

[twinzplus3]

Oh sorry--I was more responding to the "is it really necessary to bf a child who is getting solid food" but yeah I think I'd agree with you although I am kind of wondering where they are from. In some places it is normal to breastfeed until the age of 5 and so 7 really isn't such a far stretch. KWIM? But she didn't really sound that weird to me. Like one time I saw a lady who was bfing her 8yo son and was talking about how she was fearful to let him out of her sight and how this was her way of keeping him attached and yikes--she sounded like a fruit cake. This lady didn't say anything I wouldn't. . .child led weaning, nursing when they ask (although none of mine have been able to speak quite that clearly--). . .hmmm. . .or maybe I'm a fruitcake????

[jadis]

Honestly- if you kid is old enough to ask for it (as Chrissy mentioned), or walk up to you, lift up your shirt, and grab your boob themself- to me it's too long.

Even doing it for two years is kind of pushing it for me, but I can see why some people choose to go this route (I will be doing the minimal amount- I plan on going back to work at around 3 months, so that is likely when I will stop BFing). But geez- seven? I personally think it's a reflection on the parent not wanting to 'lose' the connection with their child, or to hold on to the idea that they are still infants. While I can understand not wanting to face the fact that your child is growing up, I think once they reach a certain point you can find other ways to foster that feeling of closeness.

[Alejandros Mommy]

I think once my child would say "hey mom lift your shirt, I'm hungry" I think that would be a clue that it's been long enough

Ditto!
EWWWW! Sorry but I think that's far tooo long! There is no reason for a 7 yr old to be BF in a developing world...she is getting her nutrients from the food she eats... I can't even imagine Alejandro still BF'ing.....

[twinzplus3]

Jadis--I honestly wonder if you'll feel differently once you actually have the baby. I certainly did. But having nursed several children well into their toddler years I have to say that it's not always about mom not wanting to let infancy go but rather the toddler needing the closeness. I have nursed children that are old enough to walk up and give words for it (at 11mos or so) and really a 6mo can lift up your shirt! I also have to say that the one child I forcefully weaned at 18mos. I think has suffered side effects from 'early' weaning. There are some interesting sociological studies done (did I say this already?) on the psychological benefits of breastfeeding . . .Pattie gave me the name of the book/study but I forgot it.

I guess the question is: does the child suffer negative consequences as a result of breastfeeding that long? If not, then who cares?

[LeanyBean]

I think that BF is wonderful but once my kids get to being rather mobile and resistant to holding still they are cut off. However, so far with my boys I have never made it that far. Noah decided about 5 months he didn't want it anymore, Ridley wouldn't shake the biting kick and at 4 months was weaned and aroudn 6 months Charlie decided my BBs made better toys than a food source. Hopefully I go longer with the next baby.