General Chat

Morfydd - no it's not a ridiculous comparison at all when people base their argument on the fact that it's a natural process. I was trying to make the point that just because something is a natural process doesn't mean we all want to witness it !

I think comparing breast feeding with going to the toilet is ridiculous too, unless you are inclined to eat /drink your own waste of course......... then who in their right mind would do such a discusting thing anyway! Breast feeding is a natural supply of healthy nutritions, toiletering is ridding the waste....the total opposite, so no comparison! Lib:))

My friend was asked to stop feeding her baby whilst sitting in a hospital waiting room, five rows away from anyone else and sitting behind all the other patients. They said they had a room where she could go..............she found herself LOCKED with baby in the CLEANERS cupboard!!!! Good job there wasn't a fire...... After a few mins the cleaner came to collect her mops and bucket....she was disgusted with my friend's predicament and caused such a fuss they gave her a whole side ward to sit in on her own...... I'd compare breastfeeding with having a meal - Anywhere it would be acceptable for an adult or a child to eat something would be acceptable for breastfeeding, surely?? I fed both mine until their teeth came through at about 10/11 months.....No way after that! Merry

Eating and drinking is a natural process and one we all do in public therefore, why should babies NOT be expected to eat and drink in public? I breastfed my two until they were six months and I only had positive comments from most, and those who didn't like it removed themselves from my presence and didn't ask me to remove myself or the baby from theirs. They saw it as their problem. I do have to say I find it a little strange that someone would WANT to feed a seven year old, and I find it odd that the seven year old doesn't think it strange. After all, I am sure at that age the child realises it is not the norm. I hope they do not get teased at school about this, and I would be inclined to think it is the mother who doesn't want to stop rather than the child. Claire xx

I was asked if I minded having a screen put round me to shield me from view when breastfeeding once - I was in the baby clinic to get C weighed! I was speechless! Lisa

It all smacks of Little Britain's 'Bitty' doesnt it. Sorry if Im out of order here, but I do find it embarrassing to see this happening in public. Same as I find half naked women on beaches. It just doesnt feel right for me.

Jayvee, sorry I have only just got back on the board, wasn't ignoring you. Yes it is a ridiculous comparison and you say something you don't want to witness in public, you don'thave to because breastfeeding mothers usually feed their babies in public so that others cannot see anything that would offend or embarrass, one does not have to have their breast fully revealed to enable them to feed a baby, so why it should be offensive or embarrassing I will never know. I find smoking and spitting offensive and these habits can cause health problems too, but people still do them, but it's breastfeeding mothers who seem to be treated like lepers, things to be hidden away. This is a subject that has been discussed on here many times and one that will never be agreed on, but to hear women say breastfeeding is embarrassing or something to be hidden is awful. M.

I didn't breast feed my first as I was ill, but did my second, and found it easier and enjoyed being able to. Breast feeding anywhere was never a problem as a shawl round us gave us privacy and noone was even aware of the baby being fed. But if he had needed fed anywhere then I would have fed him preferably in a quiet corner for our benefir not for others, in no way can breast feeding be compared to going to the toilet, sorry, it is not comparible. As for breast feeding at 7......woah...no way.....once the teeth established themselves i stopped.

i saw the trailer of this, and the kid lying across settee feeding shocked us all we sat open mouthed expression like did i see that or imagine it, i didnt breast feed mine, yeh i know bad mother, well my excuse first time id be traveling to another country so i couldnt just breast feed on ferry, and the second time , well i couldnt treat them different , theyd have said i love one more than tother so both bottle fed,

Julie Ann, breast feeding doesn't decide a good or bad Mother love, as the baby will survive and thrive either way, no right or wrong. Breast feeding is not for everyone and no guilt should ever be attatched to it, even if it is just choice to bottle feed. Someone who isn't comfortable or struggling with breast feeding passes that to the baby and the child can be fractious then, so better to have a happy Mother and baby, bottle feeding than a struggling Mother and a crying baby cos neither feel satisfied.

Just a thought When will these 'earth' mothers stop feeding their offspring? Mummy, I'm 21 and need a feed?

I breast fed both of mine up until they were old enough to hold a beaker confidently which was 10 months.

Interesting debate. I was desperate to breastfeed my 2 but failed with the first as the nurses gave him bottles while he was in special care so I couldn't get him used to me. I managed 3 weeks with my second but stopped as my dear hubby seemed to find it offensive - he hated coming back from work to find me feeding the baby on the sofa. It was far less stressful to stop, but I have never forgiven myself for either failures, even though they are both healthy and intelligent with no allergies. I have no objection to seeing people feed their babies and simply cannot understand those who do. I do think though, that it should be stopped before the age of 2 or so - there is no need for it then. As for breastfeeding a seven-year-old - I think that IS disgusting, bordering on the obscene. I hated the 'bitty' sketch in Little Britain, and do not watch the programme as a result. Whatever is the mother trying to achieve? Liz x

I fed my bf eldest until she stopped herself at 22 months - then I found out I was pregnant again!! Not bad considering I was using bf as a form of contraception (or Russian roulette!!) Also bf youngest until 22 months - but I made her stop - I wanted an evening out!! (at 22 months, the bedtime feed was the most important). My friend has 2 sets of twins, she bf the eldest pair until they were 5, then had the younger set and bf them until they were 4 (bedtime feeds only by then)!! My grand daughter (3 years old) was bf until she was about 27 months. I never had any problem with bf in public, you had to look very hard to see. I was b feeding the eldest at the baby clinic, and the nurse didn't even realise - she got in a right strop when I didn't jump up to see the doctor immediately!! People are odd about it though. My mum's husband 'disapproved', and used to regularly 'tut' at me when he thought I was breastfeeding. I didn't like to tell him I never bf in front of him, cos it wasn't worth the hassle, so the poor misguided creature thought he was seeing more than he was LOL maggie

I breast fed all 4 of my children for varying lengths of time and they gave it up when they wanted to. I fed my elder daughter for the longest time, until she was 14 months old. I was very lucky as I had no problems feeding any of them. I even fed my best friend's premature son, who was 6 weeks younger than my younger daughter. He was a twin and his sister spent most of her short life in hospital, so, whilst his Mum was with his sister, I fed Adam while I was feeding my daughter. It worked well for all of us and I'm as close to Adam as I am my own children - 25 years later! Unfortunately neither of my daughters were able to breast feed, although the younger one persevered for a month, but both she and grandson were so stressed it wasn't doing either of them any good. I really wished I could have breast fed him myself - but at 50 I was just a bit too old. :o((( I do agree that 7 is much too old, although I did have a neighbour once that fed all 3 of her children at the same time! While the baby was on one side, his older sisters aged 2 and 4 took turns on the other side!!!! Sue xx

I breast fed my son, born in 1982, and had lots of help whilst in hospital to make sure he latched on ok. By the time he was 2 1/2, I was mainly comfort feeding - never had a problem with his teeth or the privacy part, and never had a complaint from anyone whereever I happened to do it. I had to stay in for 11 days at the hospital as I had no one to help me at home, and on about the second day the Rotosept? nipple ease sprays had run out in the hospital stores. I was a bit sore, and was dozing on my bed after lunch when the nurse came in with two of those little pots of honey you get with toast, in hotels etc. She told me to smooth the honey on my nipples and leave to dry. I did this and dozed off again with the curtains closed and my boobs exposed to let the honey dry. Next thing I know the whole ward, visitors and all had an eyeful - someone had come in and said 'visiting time' and yanked back the curtains, and no-one had realised I had carried on sleeping and was not properly dressed. The honey certainly helped tho and my son loved honey sandwiches when he was older.

Hi Shelli, I breast-fed my first, but only for a month. Had to stop when I got a breast absess. Was advised not to attempt breastfeeding again as the same thing was likely to recur. Yes, 7 is way to old!! 2 is about the average, isn't it? Are these mothers still producing milk? I would guess not! So surely this is just comfort sucking - not that the children need breast milk anyway. Wouldn't a dummy do the same job?? When do they stop -10? 20? God forbid!! Why are people in this 'modern' age so freaked out about breastfeeding babies in public. It wasn't so long ago in the 'prim and proper' age, when it was the only option. People didn't make a fuss then. It's the most natural thing in the world!! Do these people show their horror when visiting farms/zoos etc, when animals are feeding their young in front of them???!!! Debbie

I breast fed my 3 children the last one until aged 2. Quite topical this conversation as yesterday a woman that had a baby shortly after I started working in this shop came in with her daughter must now be aged about 3. Usually she is pretty quiet but kept screaming and shouting 'want my booboo' The woman was getting quite distressed and I just said to her I can only guess what she wants and she said she wants my boobs.!!! Couldnt beleive a kid of that age would be crying out for such a thing. I dont think its embarassing if somebody feeds in a restaurant or anywhere in public. I was the one that was feeling embarassed if I had to feed. I even ended up feeding my newborn in a cemetry as my brother died when my baby was due and I couldnt attend his funeral so the first opportunity I had to visit his grave meant a day out for me and my 3 kids so had no choice but to feed. Never was able to express milk for bottle feeding later. My daughter manages to express her milk so her partner can feed their baby whilst she is at university. GLoria

I breast fed my daughter until she was 9 months old. I went back to work when she was 5 months old and still managed it ( had to express at work but hey ho!). Fortunately I was producing so much milk that I managed to freeze 3 months worth so she actually had breast milk until she was 12 months old. I find the thought of feeding a 7 year old a bit weird - my daughter is now 8 and I certainly can't imagine her being interested a year ago! I was also asked once at a restaurant to go into the loos to feed my baby and gave them the 'would you eat your lunch in a toilet?' speech - that was the only negative experience that I had. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of breast feeding but felt that a year was enough.

Seven is way too old. Very weird if you ask me. What I find even odder is the 10 year old sister wanting to breast fed as a birthday present! Deb