To Old To Be Breastfed

[Rainbowbrite]

We were out today & ran into an old friend who was disgusted that i'm still bf MJ at 8months??? She went on to tell me taht at MJ's age its not for nutrition, its purely for comfort.

DH pointedly told her that i will be continuing to bf MJ for as long as possible as its best for bub

It got me thinking though, is there an age at which bf stops becoming nutritious & is just for comfort?

RB

[nemosmum]

I think bubs naturally want to be bf when they are distressed or upset, it is very comforting.

I have heard that you should bf till they are 2 years old for maximum nutrition, having said this I know of someone who continued bfing until their child was 8 (Nutrition or comfort? who knows)

I guess you just need to do what makes you feel comfortable and there is nothing wrong with bfing to comfort your child

[the_queen]

I look at it like this: God/Mother Nature puts milk in my breasts for my baby. My baby will drink the milk from my breasts for as long as it's mutually desirable. I don't believe breastmilk loses its nutritional value; plus, the benefits of breastfeeding extend far beyond nutrition alone.
IMO, society has sexualised women's breasts to a point where some people find it "disgusting" when they are used for their intended purpose. I think that's sad.

[the_queen]

Just wanted to add this link:

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T026400.asp

My favourite bit says: " Extended breastfeeding is nature's way of filling your baby's need for intimacy and appropriate dependency on other people. If these needs are met early on, your child will grow up to be a sensitive and independent adult."

[aardvark]

The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding at least until the second birthday.

Your "friend" is talking through her........ um.....hat.

I fed both my DDs until after their third birthday. The lactation consultant at the hospital where I had #2 was of the opinion that left to their own devices, they self-wean when they no longer need it for whatever reason, and I found this was pretty accurate.

[H&B'sMum]

Sounds like your friend doesn't have a clue RB. Sorry if she is a close friend but has she got children???? And understand that babies need their milk. Whenever I was told that I should give up b/f my reply was "I can't it's illegal to stave babies" That usually shut them up.

You keep b/f for as long as MJ wants to.

[Goosie22]

I'm with everyone here, She hasn't got a clue what she is talking about. You just keep feeding and show her.

[draught]

I agree - tell her that the WHO probably know what they are talking about - LOL!

I weaned DD1 at 13 months but it was pretty mutual - and I was pregnant with DD2 and just needed a bit of my body back for me. DD2 is a very different baby and is still having night and morning feeds at 15 months and it doesn't look like stopping anytime soon - as long as she wants it she will have it - and when she is sick or has an "off" day eating I am comforted by the fact that she is at least getting good nutrition twice a day!

[poshBecks]

I have to admit that I do get a little grossed out when I see children breastfeeding... but thats just me... if you want to that's great for you... I just could't do it. In saying that though.... 8 months is so not too old!!!! Hello, baby's cant have cows milk until at least 12 months!!!!!! I think your friend was pretty rude for saying that! Like it's her business anyway!!!

[Rainbowbrite]

When i was pregnant DH & I didnt want to feed past 6months, but coming here & learning all the benefits of extended bf, I have no intention of stopping till MJ is ready. We are planning on atleast 2more years so there is no worries there.

It just saddens me that the masses are so against bf after 6months. It was my family who originally told me to feed till MJ was between 6-9months, then stop. They get a rude shock everytime they say it infront of DH.

This isnt the first friend who has said something either I get it on almost a daily basis. I'm the only mother in my baby group who is still feeding exclusively. 1 other is bf but gives a formula feed at night.

The arguement that makes DH laugh is that its mean of me to keep bf MJ as he doesnt get to feed her When they said this infront of him, he laughed at them & told them that

he can do everything else for MJ, why would he want to intrude on the bonding session between mum & bub, its better for her to be bf, its all she really needs at this time in her life. Who wants to have to clean & make up bottles when its on tap

Oh and my favourite which shows that he also supports co-sleeping

Atleast with me bf, he doesnt have to get up multiple times throughout the night feed MJ

While i'm having a rant, i'm sick of hearing that i should "train" MJ to sleep through the night, its not good for her to be waking for night feeds still SHE'S A BABY! I get thirsty through the night & have a drink of water, whats the difference?

Thanks for letting me rant, i'll go now

RB