Breastfeeding a four year old?
By lillake
@lillake (1630)
United States
February 25, 2007 6:49pm CST
So what do you think of a four year old still breastfeeding? And why do you feel that way?
I'm fine with it. The World health Organization says at the least 2 years and beyond as long as both mother and child are happy. No medical association feels that there are any negative psychological problems from extended breastfeeding. And studies have shown that the biological human age of weaning is between 2 and 7 years. I have several friends who occasionally nurse their 3, 4, and 5 year olds. Unless they are feeling ill it is usually a 2 second drink once a day. It seems normal to me.
9 people like this
6 responses
@mememama (3076)
• United States
26 Feb 07
Before I became a mother, honestly I probably would have thought that it's weird. But now I know about the benefits of nursings and that many countries the average age of weaning is at least 5, that the baby teeth are really called milk teeth. I had problems so I didn't get to nurse that long, but I can imagine that I might do that with any future children. My son loves to drink any liquids on my laps anyways lol, he's always bringing his sippy cup to sit on me!
5 people like this
@missinghim (1339)
• United States
26 Feb 07
I personally believe that if you are old enough to ask for it, then you're too old to have it. I don't see why a woman would want to nurse a 4 year old child, I mean they can chew steak by that age.
5 people like this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
26 Feb 07
See my post above to someone who said the same thing about asking for it.
4 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
28 Feb 07
Not me they have teeth at that age, way too dangerous.
3 people like this
@maildumpster (3815)
• United States
1 Mar 07
Exactly. My son has a full mouth of teeth and I almost never even feel them. Teeth are not a problem
3 people like this
@lillake (1630)
• United States
28 Feb 07
My 8 month old has teeth, its really not a danger. Do you bite to suck out of a straw? No, because biting down stops the flow. Children do occasionally bite if teething, playing/not really eating, or want to see a reaction. It is not difficult to teach a baby not to bite. By 4 no child is still going to be biting. Heck by 2 no child would still be biting.
4 people like this
@Rahleah (187)
• United States
1 Mar 07
Hey, I think some folks need to refer to the top and remember this all started with "what do you think" and "why do you feel that way?" Lillake ASKED for opinions and the thoughts behind them. For anyone to attack someone who then left an opinion and their thoughts is totally wrong. This is a forum and it's supposed to be open to all of our interpretations. The person who should re-examine their comments and perhaps get out of the conversation is the person who thinks there is no room in the world for any view but their own. Let's all show the respect that is due. There is no black and white answer to this. It is an opinion-based topic. Therefore, no one can be right and no one can be wrong.
3 people like this
@ariesflame (188)
• United States
13 May 07
My take is as long as its the choice of the parent to do it for the health of the child and not because we women are born with "automatic milk machines" attached to us therefore negating any need to teach the child independence from the parent is just plain lazy for the most part. When this happens it makes it hard for the child to learn independence in many areas.
