breast feeding 9 year olds! TMI

O.K. so I was watching the Tyra show the other day (sad right?) and they were discussing Motherhood. Anyway one of the main topics was prolonged breastfeeding. Now I only breastfed for a month but despite that I'm all for breast feeding. However I have to admit I was slightly disturbed by the idea of breast feeding a 9 year old?!?!

Apparently she had 2 girls, both were breastfed to the age of 7. When the older of the girls turned 9 she asked her Mother if for a birthday present she could have some breast milk and her Mum said yes The Mother told Tyra that her 9 year old was only on her boob for about 30 seconds because she had lost her sucking reflex and couldn't get any milk out. I'm sorry I'm all for breast feeding but that just seems wrong to me

Did anyone else catch the show?

I found this essay written by the woman from the show about her breastfeeding experience Breast feeding

Wow, that article is really interesting.
I too would feel uncomfortable feeding Jody for longer than about 2 years, but I admire anyone who can do it without feeling uncomfortable or embarassed, as long as the kid isn't teased or embarassed by it either.
I often wonder if boobs weren't a 'rude bit' whether women would BF for longer. Like if milk came from your index finger it would be less embarassing/uncomfortable to feed an older child.

the thing to remember is that when they get older they are normally only fed in the evening (or in Ella's case morning and evening) and I haven't b/f feed Ella in public for ages now.Although if I had to feed her in public I wouldn't be embrassed to do so, simply because it is normal to me (and she is still my little baby)

 

I do think through breastfeeding until 7 is a bit extreme....I can't imagine that many 7 year olders wanting to still be b/f anyway.

I'm all for letting a child self-wean, or feeding until you no longer produce milk, hey if it works for you and your baby go for it!
But I do consider it inappropriate once you have weaned to let a child try to get milk again, and 9 is far too old! I watched the Tyra show too, and I'm glad that both the for and against teams got to have their say.
Those that choose not to, or unable to breastfeed, should have all the support and respect due any mother. As long as a child is fed and happy, it doesn't matter what form that food comes in.
Personally, I never imagined I'd still be breastfedding at 7 months, My mum and uncles were NEVER breastfed, my brother and I were breastfed for 2 months and 1 month, none of my mates breastfed for this long, most of my mother's group are bottle feeding, I was going to give up sooo many times but we got through it. Interestingly, when people find out that my daughter is still BF, the responses are mostly shocked, and I've been told a number of times to "hurry up and get that baby on a bottle!" I can't imagine BF until mydaughter is 7, but for now I'm going to try and keep going until she's one... we'll see how it's working then.

edited for my terrible spelling!

Edited by Flutterby

Oh and Lisa I have so got into the Tyra show recently, I think she has good topics - so that makes me sad too.

On a totally different note, did you see the one with the dad helping his daughter to become a porn star - eugh

lisa85 wrote: However this woman came on very strong she was one of these people that is very much my way or the highway and I found her a little scary.

 

That's what annoys me most about the whole baby feeding 'issue'.  There are mums on both sides that come across so strong and I just wish they'd keep their opinions to themselves tbh because the vast majority of us just want what's best for our babies and will do what it takes to ensure they are fed, well and healthy and at the end of the day no-one else should be forcing their personal opinions on anyone else.

 

Daizy wrote: Crazy The other day I was feeding Maddi and Keira came up and asked if she could have a try. I thought about it for a second but coupldnt bring myself to doing it She was fed until 18 months and I love breastfeeding...but they can definitely get to old for it, especially if they have already stopped. Even the though of it just felt so wrong even thinking about it and I am pretty sure when she saw me thinking about it she felt awkward as if the thought of actually doing it was so gross.

I may only have one child but I can totally understand this for some reason. Lucas tried his luck a few days back when i was dosed up on painkillers and half sleepy. I got him off ASAP, we've only been weaned for 9 days and it feels wrong. .I guess its just progression? It felt really awkward for me, I think my nipples aren't as hardy as they were ...i can notice the change in my breasts too.

But over and above all, it was awkward because I'm finally in the mindset that it's an end of an era and there is no going back, we've come this far. He hasn't asked for or tried since. He just keeps pointing out and saying 'titty nah big boy'. Rather cute. The power of distraction and praise works wonders.

I'm fully for breastfeeding (so much so I yearn to study to become a LC), but yeah there does come a point where it is OTT and not necessary( like cases mentioned above 7+ years). But it is up to the individual and whilst we're all entitled to our own opinions, what works for some might not work for others.

Lol Kelly, I think its more a bonding and comfort thing as opposed to thirst for milk/a drink

BuzzyBee wrote: Lol Kelly, I think its more a bonding and comfort thing as opposed to thirst for milk/a drink

still , go and ask your mum for a hug instead .
Strange children, isn't it "uncool " to be near your mum at that age anyway ?
"whos that lady ?"
" oh ...just some woman I know "
"but shes um, telling you to come home "
"ah , yeah, she does that, the police told me just to ignore her "