Breastfeeding older kids

[Jen3910]

I was unable physically to breastfeed my DD - I had emotional issues about being a sole parent, I had mastitis, thrush, MAJOR nipple pain...
I had the works.
Now I regret being able to give my daughter the best start to life.

My problem is, I'm now pregnant with my 2nd child... due in August. My daughter is now 4.
She has been asking me if she can share my milk with the new baby (she wants to breastfeed).

What the hell do I say to her?

"No you can't have it, it's only for babies"? I've tried that, and she doesn't believe me.

"No you can't, it's only your brother/sister's"?

Or do I let her try it?

Advice and suggestions PLEASE!!

[brogeybear]

I have a sort of similar thing although I am not yet pregnant. If it happens soon DS will be around 3 when I have a new bubba and I am so determined to BF this time around and I feel so guilty for not succeeding with DS...

If DS wants to have some when I have new bubba I will be more than happy to let him. In fact I often wonder if I could lactate now if I tried to but kinda figure that he is 2 y/o now, doesn't have a bottle or anything and won't help me get UTD so have put it off and put it off and now I regret that too!

Id say let her try it - she may not even be able to suckle properly anymore, who knows.

[workin'mumof2]

there is nothing wrong in feeding an older child. she may not even remember how to suck properly and loose interest fast.

i breastfed my 2year old on demand and my 3.6year old son who is actually getting assessed for autism is interested in my milk. he doesnt get much but when he does i know he is getting the most out of it. the health benifits in it are priceless and since allowing him to taste more and more (as long as he doesnt bite) he as become sick less often and when he does it is for less time. :)

go on the aba (Australian Breastfeeding Association) they have some great links :yes:

[threechooks]

What about expressing for her? Who knows she may not even like the taste after drinking cows milk for so long....

[Thermolicious]

I replied to your post in the other thread :)

If your uncomfortable with feeding her then I would just re-direct her without shaming, maybe you could show her how she could feed one of her dolls? There are a few breastfeeding dolls out there, I have a steiner doll that has breasts and came with a baby and a sling, DS2 likes to give the baby beebees from the mummy, and he tries to feed the mummy his beebees :goodvibes:

[AM]

I'd say for sure, let her have a go, most likely it won't end up in a full blown breastfeeding child, she will have satisfied her curiosity, and get on with life.

It's far more common than you realise :)