Author Topic: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
Kameko 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
I came across this story on AOL about women who breastfeed their children even into school age (6+) and everyone who commented on the story agreed that it was great and fine for an 8 yr old to still be breastfeeding.

Now, I don't have children of my own, and the two I've helped care for were formula babies, so perhaps I just don't get it but ... whoa? It's that more then a little odd? I mean, I was under the impression that the main reason to breastfeed is for an infant to receive antibodies and such that they couldn't get otherwise, but once they reach a certain age, they don't need that anymore... or am I wrong?

Anywho, all of ya'll are parents or grandparents, so what's your take? Is there an age when breastfeeding just becomes awkward?

 

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Lynea 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
When your baby is ready to start eating real food and their teeth have come in, it's time to wean them.

I think breastfeeding past the age of two is extremely odd.

 

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Darwynnia 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
Personally, when your child is old enough that he/she names your breasts (yes, it's happened), they're too old to be breastfed.

 

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Jennifer_the_Great 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
Eight years old is bordering on perversion, IMO. If I wasn't already wearing a training bra by then, it wasn't far off at all. I was a little younger than ten and a half when I started my period and I knew girls that had already started before I did.

 

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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
Lynea posted:
I think breastfeeding past the age of two is extremely odd.

 

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Lynea 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
Jennifer_the_Great posted:
Eight years old is bordering on perversion, IMO. If I wasn't already wearing a training bra by then, it wasn't far off at all. I was a little younger than ten and a half when I started my period and I knew girls that had already started before I did.
Exactly! My daughter started wearing a training bra at 9. She started menstruating at 10. Breastfeeding her until she almost hit puberty would damn near qualify as child abuse, IMO.

 

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Varece 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
I think when the kid runs up and asks for the bewbie, it's time to call it quits happy

 

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BluSkye 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
I guess I'm the only one that feels this way, but I think as long as both the mother AND the child want to continue nursing, I don't see any problem with it whatsoever. No, it's probably not something I would personally do, but I have also heard of mothers that pump breast milk for their whole family. I don't think that's that bad either. Breast milk is very healthy and good for you no matter the age. And really, doesn't it make more sense for human's to drink human milk?

 

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Trahnse 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
When I think of breastfeeding, straight from the breast comes to mind, rather than pumping. I guess I can see a difference between pumping it and drinking straight from the tap. I could see an 8 year old pouring a glass from the fridge, but it's just weird (IMO) to walk up to mom, ask for a drink and out comes the boob. yikes!

 

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Pulp_Gareth 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
Lynea posted:
When your baby is ready to start eating real food and their teeth have come in, it's time to wean them.

I think breastfeeding past the age of two is extremely odd.

 

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Silverwuf 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
Lynea posted:
When your baby is ready to start eating real food and their teeth have come in, it's time to wean them.

I think breastfeeding past the age of two is extremely odd.

 

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Pulp_Gareth 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
BluSkye posted:
I guess I'm the only one that feels this way, but I think as long as both the mother AND the child want to continue nursing, I don't see any problem with it whatsoever. No, it's probably not something I would personally do, but I have also heard of mothers that pump breast milk for their whole family. I don't think that's that bad either. Breast milk is very healthy and good for you no matter the age. And really, doesn't it make more sense for human's to
drink human milk?


Wow, now there's something I've never heard before.

It probably doesn't make sense for human's to drink milk after they are weened at all actually. We are the only species who continues to do so and yes there are health benefits but we could be getting it from other foods.

 

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Varece 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
I guess if you can't afford food for your kids, it's better than letting them starve.

 

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dbzuffa 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
I personally think breastfeeding past a year is kinda creepy >.<
But that is just me.

 

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-Accident- 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
past age 4 or 5, I think maybe you are creating some attachment issues.

 

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hotsoup16 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
Ask your parents. Maybe the reason some people keep going past the "acceptable" age range is because their parents did that for them. I dunno, but think about the kids and their peers. If I saw a kid at age 6 or up, I would have made fun of him/her.

 

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Mikkilynn 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
I will probably get laughed at...but I can remember coming home from kindergarden and nursing. I dont know why my mom did it, but i can remember both my brother and I doing so...he is over a year older.

Maybe it was a culture thing but i cant say for certain. I only nursed my son for a year and have plans for nursing my little girl for 18 months.

 

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dbzuffa 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
Never laugh at you Mikki! It all comes down to what works for the mother and her child/ren. As parents we all know there is no real right or wrong way to raise your child just different opionions. (Well except abuse/neglect ect obviously, but you get what I mean :P) Me, my sister and my sis-in-law all had babies last fall and they both do things with their kids that make me go /boggle...but it works for them. And I am sure they feel the same ways about some stuff I do with Bruce.
I could see how nursing would last longer in cultures where food may not be as bountiful too, that way the mother can make sure her kids are getting some nutrients. Just cause I think it is creepy does not mean it is wrong :P

 

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Entrapment_WE 
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Subject: Breastfeeding an 8 yr old?
I never got breastmilk just colostrum. well not enough to feed these guys. But i remeber seeing one of my aunts friends who was breastfeeding her 3 yr old. and I thought it was odd that the 3 yr old was goin under her mothers shirt to suckle rofl

 

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