General Chat

How long would you, did you breast feed your children? The reason I ask is simple....... no not pregnant LOL Ther is a programe on Channel four tomorrow, called extraordinary breast feeding. One woman still feeds her 7yr old..... I never breast fed any of mine through choice, i simply wasn't comfy. But realise that is my choice not others. And i can remember my best mates aunty feeding her son when he was four. We used to cringe when he shouted ' Mummy booby please' but we was teenagers then. am I alone in thinking 7 is too old? esp as her 10 yr sisiter wanted to be breast fed as her tenth birthday present? Or am i simply being too prudish?

http://www.channel4(.)com/health/microsites/F/family/parenting/qa_breast.html And before anyone shouts I have no objections to breast feeding at anytime or place etc, it simply wasn't a choice for me. xxxxxx

I breast fed mine and yes 7 is too old!! Kim

I think that is too long. My first was the one I fed longest but then she was mixed fed as I was back at work and I finished about 9 months. My son was only 2 weeks as he was really hungry and I got mastitis both sides and feeding him every hour wasn't fun. Tiddler got breastmilk jaundice from me feeding her and I also got flu so she was 2 weeks as well oh and the little devil bite one of my nippples to pieces. Used to work with someone who fed her daughter til she was 4. then after a few months she found she was pregnant again.

Definitely not comfortable with children that age being breast fed. About 18 months - 2 is quite old enough to stop. They can then get all the nutrition they need through food and cows milk (and don't forget those teeth!!) LOL

token mans opinion ? Totally agree with Trish. 18 months - 2 years is quite long enough.

Louise It on tomorrow night not tonight. Chanel four 9pm I just wondered if it was me that was all, as i said i neved breast fed any of my four. I just didn't feel right. I fully appriacte some people love it and continue doing it for as long as possible. Just wondered if it was my 'fear' ( not right word but can't think of another) of breast feeding that made me think 7 too old.

7 Years is too long. She must love the vaseline! What makes me laugh is when people get so uptight about breast feeding. Like that woman who got arrested for breast feeding her child in a park!

Paul your opinion is always welcome xx

Hi there I breastfed both of my children until they were a year old which i thought for me was long enough. I enjoyed breast feeding and got along with it well but can understand that some get along with it or like it. My only gripe was that when my eldest daughter was about 4 weeks old and we were having a meal in a quiet restaurant i needed to feed her so i discreetly placed her under my top to feed showing absolutely nothing. The waitress came over and said i could not feed her there and should use a discreet area away from others to which i agreed until she told me the only choice i had was going in the disabled toilet and sit on the toilet to which i replied would you eat your dinner in a toilet!! I understand some find it offensive but when people do it discreetly at times you cant see anymore than can be seen on page three or a holiday beach And yes 7 is far too old

7 years of age??? Way too long. I fed the first 18 months, thought that was long enough. Second for 11 months, cut him off cold turkey after he bit me. My daughter decided she was finished at 12 months. Rebs x

I never breast fed my two, well I did try with my eldest but there wasnt the support there is now (11 years ago), and they were going to let him go 24 hours without a feed, so being a first time mum, and getting distressed, we decided to bottle feed him, as he was a very sleepy lad and 3 weeks early, I worried myself to death. With my daughter, it was a concious decision, I already had a four year old, and wanted to avoid the stress I had with my son. Shame really as she more and likely would have been a great feeder...but by then, the decision had been made....it was too late to change my mind by then. As for breast feeding in general, its a natural process and shouldnt be deemed as dirty and nasty. My cousin feeds her new baby so discreetly it looks like a cuddle.. As for feeding at the age of seven..i dont agree with that. By time the child is fully weened onto solid food and is about 2-3 plus, breast milk is not needed anymore. Not if the child is being fed correctly and is thriving, At that stage (past about four) its got to be the mothers selfishness on not wanting to let her 'Baby' grow up and be independent of her...its all about keeping the child close. A mother can cuddle her child and show love and recieve it without having to put her breast into the childs mouth to do so. My daughter is now almost 7. We have the most lovely cuddles. It doesnt make us less close by not breastfeeding her at this age. Also when does a mother stop feeding her child (in the case of feeding a 7 year old) When the child grows breasts of her own ? Elaine x

Mandy been reading up a bit about it. Did you know you can tandem feed? that is feed a toddler whilst feeding the baby????? not ness at same time tho LOL Althought they told me i could feed my twins at the same time if i breast fed them. I managed quite well without, and dealt with a toddler at the same time!!!!!!

One thing I do find strange is that when Sharons sister was breastfeeding her daughters, her mother got REALLY weird about it, and would leave the room ! Strange ! As a bloke, if I see someone breastfeeding, I do find myself a little embarrassed, but I just try my best to look away (which isn't always easy when the person is trying to have a conversation with you lol)

Shelli I feel exactly the same as you,, I agree that its wonderful if you can and want to do it,,,But its definalty not for me, I remember my m-i-l being disgusted with me for not wanting to feed my daughter, I think 7 years old is way too old,,,its a bit wierd,I wonder what his little friends must think when his mum pops one out at snackette time,,,,yuck,,

It's obviously an individual choice for each mother but I'm afraid I'm one of those who doesn't think women should breast feed in restaurants and other public places. Yes I know it's a natural process but so is going to the toilet and I don't think you'd get away with doing that in a room full of diners, however discreet you tried to be !

Elaine, That story is identical to mine. The support then was dire. Still wonder how it would have worked if I had the support then. Was so put off by the experience that when Luke was born 4 yrs later I was adamant that I was not even going to try. I had an abundance of milk and I think it would have benefitted him as he is prone to excema now. Will never know now. Julie

PMSL Mandy I experienced similar to you, i breast feed my youngest son untill he was 2 and half, i decided it was time to stop when i woke up most mornings to find he was attempting to help his self.... I think breast feeding is a wonderful and natural process for both mother and child, but i do think feeding a 7yr old is a bit much! Mine prefered a 'happy meal' at that age.......lol Lib:))

I breastfed both of mine. My daughter until she was 12 months and only stopped then because older women in the family said it was long enough, upset both me and daughter and I fed my son until he was 11 and a half months old and he decided to stop. 7 years old is way too old and a bit weird too. I don't see any problems with feeding in public, it can be done in such a way that others round you need never notice. I breastfed both mine whenever and wherever they wanted to be fed and that was in the 80s, were people more accepting then? I don't think breastfeeding can be compared to going to the toilet, that is a ridiculous comparison. M.

My first child was born in the late 70s and I was put off breast feeding big time. Watched another mother trying to express milk with one of those contraptions they used to use. She was crying and in a real state. Turned me right off. Just reminded me of a cow being milked! I suddenly thought 'no blinking way' and asked for a bottle. I have friends who have breast fed and of course it is the most natural thing in the world. They only fed them until 2yrs old at the latest. They don't need it after that surely. What other creature on this earth feeds their offspring for years? Breast feeding a 7yr old is unnatural and I find it really distasteful and disturbing. I don't care how much they try and justify it. Who is really benefiting from it, child or mother? Where are the husbands in all of this. Sitting back and enjoying watching. Sorry, this makes me shudder. Saw a clip of this upcoming programme and honestly I wonder what sort of stick these kids are going to get from their fellow classmates.