Extraordinary Breastfeeding

[emilyalwaysblue]

Helo0o0
I just watched a programme on channel 4, extraordinary breastfeeding. The programme was about women who breast fed for up to 7 years.
I was horrified, and Im not sure why?
I chose not to breastfeed my son. This was my decision and those who chose to breastfeed their children are [erfectly welcome to. I was just horrified to see a 7 year old suckling on her mothers breast and talking about sucking her nipples and the taste of her milk. I just couldnt get my head around it. I know that it is perectly natural to breastfeed and I have no problems with seeing a mother feeding her child in a public place, but I just cant understand 7 and 8 year old feeding from their mother?
Maybe this is because breastfeeding is such a taboo subject and people are embarsessed by it?
What do u all think?

[gail not logged]

hi emily

well, i was aware that some women did choose to breastfeed for long periods and i remember reading this article called 'militant lactavists' when i first became pregnant. i thought 7 years was a bit strange to watch but at the same time its because our culture perhaps focuses on the sexual aspects of the breast and not the practical!

however after watching the programme i thought why the hell not? why cant i breastfeed my baby if its what she wants and needs and enjoys? sod all the prudes!
i was actually breastfeeding T during the programme and i felt such a beautiful close bond with her that i could imagine doing it forever!

however i thought it was a bit confusing for the 2 year old who had to suddenly stop - i mean how do you explain that to a 2 year old so i think maybe it could be a bit awkward.

gail
xxxxxxxx

im more openminded about it now! ;D

[Veritee]

Hi All

For some reason the issue of breast feeding does prompt people often to have a very strong reaction either way, and not only from men either.

And about 'normal' breast feeding not like this programme i.e breast feeding for so long.

Even women who breast feed for a while and generally are in favor of breastfeeding can often be repelled by breast feeding beyond a year and others feel it is fine for 6 months or so and still others feel its OK for as long as it suits both of you.

The trouble with this issue is everyone seems to have a different cut off time, so it is hard to get any agreement on this.

As someone who breast fed until Caja was three I found some would even put me into the 'Extraordinary Breastfeeding ' category, while others would feel it is perfectly normal.

When I was feeding most of my friends with children only did it for a year at most and many not for more than a month or too, but I also had a friend with 4 children who continued an evening breastfeed for as long as the individual child wanted, one to 7 years.

She used to joke she only stopped the daytime feeds because she did not want to have to go down to the school at dinner time to top them up!!

I really do not know when it is right to stop generally - I suppose I have to say

- when both parties find the advantages outweigh the disadvantages!

I do not have any abhorrence like some of my friends even when I see a 7 year old feeding.

However I would never have gone on as long as this due to the inconvenience and it is my gut feeling that this may not help that child to gain Independence - but I do not feel at all repelled as many I know do.


I know that many find it impossible to breast feed and I supported a friend to continue for only 3 months as she found it near on impossible and felt such a failure - and was very grateful for my support as she said she was so glad she3 managed it as long as she did and I helped.

But I found it just so easy - I just could not contemplate mixing feeds, sterilizing etc when all I had to do is get my boob out.

I had so much milk and rather than difficulty it was one of the few things I felt good about as having a Cesarean I felt I had failed otherwise as a mum right form the start -
so I think being able to breastfeed saved my confidence in myself.

But these was a down side which was my baby would never take a bottle and in fact never did, even though we tried with both expressed breast milk and formula. This meant until she would take a beaker at about a year I could not have any break at all and Barry could not take over.

After this it did not matter as if the breast was not available she would just have fluid in a drunker and later a cup.

It also wore me down physically a bit and meant I got less sleep than I might have.

But as to if 'this is because breastfeeding is such a taboo subject and people are embarrassed by it'

I dint know but I think there is certainly a degree of this
i do not for a minute feel that I breastfed too long for us but it is amazing how many, including one of my HV and a paediatrician, having declared that with my underweight baby breast feeding was the best I could do - when I was still feeding her at a year completely changed their tune.??

At one point they even tested my breast milk to see if it was infected - I ask you breast milk is normally sterile and while it can carry HIV only in small quantities!!!!

I was horrified with their attitude, as if I had been doing it instead of giving her solid food, but I was only giving her breast where others might give a bottle......
Also women in other country's where there is so many deaths and illness caused by D & V due to bottles mixed with contaminated water - they are encouraging breast up to 5 years or as long as they want to do it..
I don't know - its a big issue,with many views

but I am glad I breast fed Caja for 3 years

All the best

Veritee

[cinders]

Hello girlies....
I too watched the programme and have to say that seeing the seven year old girl feeding I did feel a bit uncomfortable and wondered why she was still being fed.
Everyones entitled to their own feelings and beliefs, but for me personally I wouldnt feel comfortable feeding my seven year old son!!
I fed all three of my kids...the longest for a year and that was long enough. I loved every minute of it, but for me (cause we're all different) that was the perfect time for me to stop. They all then went onto their own little cups, which they loved.
I do miss that closeness and I miss the bigger chest, but even so, I still couldnt imagine feeding my three now!
Anyway, thats my thoughts on it..take care and speak soon...love n hugs Cinders xxx

[sarajay28]

Hi everyone,

I too watched this with mixed feelings. I have breastfed all three of my children, the longest being 14 months, although not purely through choice (my daughter is lactose intolerant) I really enjoyed the closeness i felt from the experience and the health benefits i have given to my children. I couldn't imagine for one moment feeding for longer than i did, my daughter is 7 next week and the thought of still feeding her this way fills me with horror!! (all those teeth for one!) lol

I really don't miss breastfeeding at all as i still feel the close bond with all my children and i'm happier because i have more freedom. The women in the program who was still feeding her daughter at 7 i feel is slightly strange especially when the dad said he had enjoyed her milk too? where are the health benefits in that?

Anyway thats my viewpoint. I would also just like to point out that I have been trained as a Breastfeeding Support Counsellor and would support any women in whatever she felt was best for her and her baby.

Loadsa Love

Sarah.xxx

[susanneb1984]

Hmmmm, I was a little unnerved by the 7 year old, although fair play to them!

My problem is, so much emphasis is put on breastfeeding. I know it's 'best' for the baby, but Thea couldn't suck (she was prem) and didn't like my milk, it made her sick, yet I was made to feel like I'd failed as a mum within the first hour or her been born. I was openly critisized by the neonatal staff when I decided to exclusively bottle feed. I breastfed GJ for 3 days, but she is such a hungry baby, feeding every hour, that I was advised to stop when she almost literally sucked me to death! lol

At the end of it, been a mum is hard enough without thinking your a failure because you couldn't or didn't want to breastfeed!

Sorry got a bit carried away! lol

[gail]

just wondering....

what effects does breastfeeding have on PNI if any? does breastfeeding exacerbate the problem, or prolong the illness? id love to breastfeed tlws for as long as possible and hope that PNI and breastfeeding are not connected as its the one thing that i love doing!!

[sarajay28]

Hi Gail,

I just wanted to share my experience in relation to your query. I found that being extremely tired from breastfeeding Nathan every 2-3 hrs (he was a very hungry baby) and never getting a break from him really put me under strain and made me feel so much worse, also the Dr wasn't keen to give me anti-d's while breastfeeding. When i made the decision to stop (for my own sanity) i felt a huge relief. And thats when i feel i started to make progress in my recovery. I don't know if this was due to me starting on anti-d's or relief from the pressure of being the only 'feeder', but i suspect it was a combination of the 2 things?
I have to say though, i had PNI after having my daughter and i managed to sucessfully breastfeed her for 14 months without it being much of a problem? although this wasn't entirely through choice as she wouldn't take the special formula milk they have for lactose intolerant babies. I think it depends how you feel about it, if its wearing you down then its probably not doing you much good but if you and your daughter are enjoying it then keep doing it. Well done to you for having a go.

Loadsa Love

Sarah.xxxx

[lisauk]

Hey,

I am 16 and had Jessica three months ago. I decided to breastfeed as soon as I knew I was pregnant and I went ahead with my decision for two weeks after she was born. I couldn't do it for any longer because I seemed to get really ill due to being Anaemic and having no time to even eat because she was feeding every hour!

I was surprised to see peoples reactions especially midwives when I told them I was breastfeeding. I loved breastfeeding and I will definately do it again, but I hope for a longer period. I think you should always do what is best for baby but if this doesn't suit you then that is totally your choice, no one should pressurise you or make you feel guilty.

On to the program, I absolutely hated it. I thought breastfeeding her daughter until she was 7 was just bizarre. I cringed when the husband said he breastfed at times. Yuck! I have admiration for people who breastfeed because it isn't the easiest thing to do. Lisa xx

[monica]

Hi

I guess it's a personal choice, even if you don't mind feeling your 8 year old. But the husband - that's not normal. Soon he'sll be wanting his bum changed and a dummy!!!

[hannah457]

i think breastfeeding is a wonderful natural experience between mother and child, but i also think it should be stopped at a certain age