General Chat

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

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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:))

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 !

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.

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.

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:))

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

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 !

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,,

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)

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!!!!!!

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