Pure Parents

Question:

>> >> I know of no harm from extended breastfeeding. > >Except the psychological damage that could result when his classmates see him saying, > >"look what we did in school today mom" as he climbs on to his mothers lap, lifts her > >shirt and sucks from her breast.  The average child does NOT breast feed until 3 or > >5.  What about that?  Would you agree that pacifiers until the age of 5 are okay as > >well? > And how is this going to happen? Unless you’re going to make the > preposterous assumption that "nursing at 5" means "nursing anywhere, > anytime at 5", it’s not going to happen. >Why not?  If there isn’t anything wrong with it??

There’s nothing wrong with belching, either, but that doesn’t mean that we go around doing it anywhere, anytime. As kids grow, we teach them that different things are appropriate at different times. By 5, a child will (at least should) have learned to control various impulses, including "feed me now". I’m proud to be paying taxes in the United States.  The only thing is – I could be just as proud for half the money.         – Arthur Godfrey

Response:

> There’s nothing wrong with belching, either, but that doesn’t mean > that we go around doing it anywhere, anytime. As kids grow, we teach > them that different things are appropriate at different times. By 5, a > child will (at least should) have learned to control various impulses, > including "feed me now".

Your talking about parents that have BF until their child is 5, (or even 3 or 4) do you think this same parent has taught their child any restraint??  Doubtful. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

>  In fact, there’s a fair bit of evidence that letting babies be babies and > children be children for a long time (relative to the current fashion) > is the best way to teach long term independence. Read any of the > Sears’ books for a lot more information.

I totally agree with this.  My almost 4 year old still backs down stairs.  I love the fact that he is still my baby, however, feeding is a necessity.  I think the undertone to alot of the replies I have read is that mommy loves the closeness, the look on baby’s face etc.  I understand this!  I miss that myself, but I now enjoy watching him gobble everything with us at the dinner table, steak, chicken, salmon you name it.  You can be just as close with baby without a nipple in their mouth. > *WHEN* do you suppose the crib was invented? It’s not as though "baby > in crib in another room" is really the natural order of things. When > my wife and I decided to expand our family, the last word I’d have > thought to use for our child is "invader". He was *invited* into our > bed as part of our family group, and it’s taught him that Mom and Dad > are there for him when he needs us, which in turn has given him room > to become so independent as a nearly-3-year-old that we get frequent > comments from other about it. I’m glad your parenting method is > working out for you. I wish you wouldn’t attack those of us who, after > somne careful thought and research, have adopted family bed and/or > attachment parenting and are doing quite well with it, thanks.

Okay, family bed??  Is that a pediatric term?  I actually laughed outloud at this one.  I am not attacking you, or certainly am not meaning to.  I just don’t understand this.  So how do you teach him what is appropriate behavior when he is in bed with you every night?  Does he get to go through your drawers too?  Is there anything you consider off limits?  I want to bring my sons to my bed, I just don’t.  They have their own.  In their room, with their things.  My room, your room.  Your philosophy means that everything that’s mine is yours.  Wrong.  Everything that’s mine is mine.  Maybe I will let you see it if you ask nicely. > So far, > my son has decided when it was a good time to stop nursing (except at > bedtime), when it was a good time to move into his own bed, and when > it was a good time to stop wearing diapers. If he were any more > independent, I’d start hiding the car keys.

Independent sure, because he gets to make all of the decisions for you.  Are you independent of him, that is the real question! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I weaned my oldest at 15 months because that`s what I thought I "should" do.  No one I knew had breastfed past the first couple of months and from the feedback I was getting, even 1 year seemed like a long time. Now I have more resources to check with and have met other moms who have breastfed up to 3 years and are happy with it.  I haven`t read it myself, but I`ve heard that a major doctors group (Pediatric Association, AMA? something like that) now recommends breastfeeding for the first 2 years.  Even though kids don`t necessarily need the nutrition, and do need other sources after one year, breast feeding still has advantages, especially in families who have lots of allergies.  Besides that its comforting for the baby and nice for the mom to have that quiet snuggley time.  If you`re still happy breastfeeding there`s no reason why you should stop at a year, on the other hand, if you`re not thrilled about it you could stop now and be assured that you gave your child a great start.   I`m still breastfeeding a 21 month old (1-3 times a day) and although I think I may be ready to stop in a few months I don`t have any definate plans to do so yet.  If you`d like to hear from other mom`s who have breastfed past one year check out alt.support.breastfeeding. Best wishes whatever your decision! Pam

Response:

Ann, We discuss this a lot at LLL that our culture thinks it is SOO important for our Babies and Children to be independent so we force independance on them where as those of us who believe otherwise give our children the comfort and love they need so they WILL become independant ON THEIR OWN. Also, many parents think nothing of a 2-3-4 year old walking around w/an old tattered blanket or a yucky old bink. If a child is still nursing at those later ages, it’s usually only at home. Teresa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->People are always asking of new parents, "Does your baby sleep through the >night yet?" Why do we expect infants to be independent so early? I think 12 >hours is a long time for a little baby to be separated from his parents. >And that’s another biggie: making babies sleep in another room. The parents get >to cuddle together all night, while the baby–who must learn to be independent >from Mom and Dad–slumbers away all alone in another room. >I could go on, but I’ll stop here. >My .05. >Anne

Response:

>> There’s nothing wrong with belching, either, but that doesn’t mean > that we go around doing it anywhere, anytime. As kids grow, we teach > them that different things are appropriate at different times. By 5, a > child will (at least should) have learned to control various impulses, > including "feed me now". >Your talking about parents that have BF until their child is 5, (or even 3 or 4) do you think >this same parent has taught their child any restraint??  Doubtful.

To you, perhaps. Open your eyes. You’re making the wild and rather insulting assumption that extended breastfeeding == bad parenting. My son will be 3 in August, is still nursing at night and occasionally for comfort, and I get regular compliments about how well behaved he is in church and other public places. He understand that’s he’s growing up and that if he wants to nurse he has to negotiate that with his mom and that she isn’t automatically going to nurse him anywhere, anytime for her own reasons. In fact, judging by the behavior of kids I observe at La Leche League events compared to the average bunch of kids I see at the pediatrician’s, I’d say that if anything it’s the "normal", bottle feeding, force-weaning, crib-sleeping parents who don’t teach their kids restraint. Do you *know* any parents who are practicing family bed and extended breastfeeding, or are you just slandering us at random? Sorry for getting a bit hot under the collar, but this has definitely drifted from asking questions to making nasty insinuations. A putt that stops close enough to the cup to inspire such comments as "you could blow it in" may be blown in.  This rule does not apply if the ball is more than three inches from the hole, because no one wants to make a travesty of the game.         – Donald A. Metz

Response:

>our daughter will be one-year old soon & eats regular food with no problem. >when does breastfeeding lose it’s value >thanks

Breastfeeding does not lose it’s nutrative value. Jodi

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>So why do you suppose the crib was invented?  Yes, we are supposed to nurture and >love and comfort but we are not supposed to let them invade (yes I said invade) our >every space.  I think it is totally inappropriate to let children sleep in bed with >mom and dad.  It teaches them nothing, except that maybe their every whim will be >fulfilled if they cry loud enough.  Both my boys slept alone from day one (barring >a temp or illness, I’m not a witch although you may disagree ), they slept >through the night at 8 weeks each and were bottle weaned at 8 months.

It’s just been in recent years that babies started sleeping on their own, in a crib. As inappropriate as you may find it to have a child sleep in bed w/ a parent, I find it more inappropriate to bring an infant home from the hosp. after they have been inside you for 9 months in a warm toasty env. as part of you and throw them in a bed by themselves. As far as being weaned at 8 months. That is too bad. The AAP recommends nursing for at least 1 year. Longer if mother and child are happy. WHO recommends two years. I can’t see weaning a baby from a soft warm breast to a piece of cold hard plastic. >If moms milk is so vaulable why not just give it to them in a cup?  THIS is my >debate?!  Why the nipple (bottle or breast)?  This is used intitially as a form of >supplying the milk because all babies can do is suck.  When they can drink, why not >let them drink?

Mom’s milk is very valuable and even though it is valuable in a cup, nothing can replace the look of my baby’s face when he is nursing and looking at me adoringly and I’m holding him close. HE drinks great from a cup, but there is a time and a place for that. Sometimes we want to sit and nurse. A cup just isn’t the same thing. I’ve just decided that it’s time to stop nursing so much at night as I’m pregnant, so about 1 week ago, when he would wake up at night, I"ve started getting him back to sleep other ways. Well, he’s not waking at night anymore. He’s totally agreeable and we nurse whenever he wants at other times. Weaning from the breast does not create an automatic wakeless baby. There are other ways to do it if so desired. Babies DESERVE to be breastfed. Teresa

Response:

our daughter will be one-year old soon & eats regular food with no problem. when does breastfeeding lose it’s value thanks

Response:

Breastfeeding is beneficial to your baby until at least two years of age.  But it is up to you when you should wean.  If you continue past two years of age, it may be harder to wean your baby because he/she will associate the breast more with comfort than with food since he/she  will be getting more nutrition from solids.

Response:

> >our daughter will be one-year old soon & eats regular food with no problem. >when does breastfeeding lose it’s value > It doesn’t as far as I know… but I wouldn’t encourage anyone to > breast-feed beyond 3 years of age – though in some cultures, children are > still suckled at age of 5.

When would you recommend that they stop then?  I know I will take heat for this post. (I know I will!) but isn’t 3 years old for breastfeeding a bit excessive??  What does the general population think about 3 year old "babies" still drinking out of a bottle?  Is it necessary? > As long as the breast milk is not the main source of food, then there is > little harm that can be done by continueing to breast feed – as long as YOU > are still comfortable about it!

Little harm, what harm? I know my opinion on this but what is yours? > Children need a comforter, and it is likely that your breast feeding is > providing this.   Are you only breast-feeding at certain times of the day – > like last thing at night?

Comparing breastfeeding to a blankie is not making me a believer. . . > Perhaps you could try introducing a bottle instead… though don’t allow the > child to take a bottle – even a bottle of Milk – to bed.  Prolonged sucking > will cause damage to teeth, even from Milk sugars.

So this says milk would be okay which is leading me to believe (since you are the health care professional) that there are no health benefits at this point as long as this is not the sole dietary source.  Otherwise they should be getting plenty of vitamins from other foods? So why not just skip the bottle (yet another weaning to come) and go to a cup, since hopefully that is the end goal anyway? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Just curious. . .

Response:

>> >our daughter will be one-year old soon & eats regular food with no problem. > >when does breastfeeding lose it’s value > It doesn’t as far as I know… but I wouldn’t encourage anyone to > breast-feed beyond 3 years of age – though in some cultures, children are > still suckled at age of 5. >When would you recommend that they stop then?  I know I will take heat for this >post. (I know I will!) but isn’t 3 years old for breastfeeding a bit >excessive??  What does the general population think about 3 year old "babies" >still drinking out of a bottle?  Is it necessary?

I don’t think "is it necessary?" is the right question; "is it good for the child?" is the right question. I’d recommend that they stop when mom and child are ready. That may be 1, it may be 3, it may be 5. Breastfeeding isn’t like drinking out of a bottle, for child *or* mom. > As long as the breast milk is not the main source of food, then there is > little harm that can be done by continueing to breast feed – as long as YOU > are still comfortable about it! >Little harm, what harm? I know my opinion on this but what is yours?

I know of no harm from extended breastfeeding. …snip… > Perhaps you could try introducing a bottle instead… though don’t allow the > child to take a bottle – even a bottle of Milk – to bed.  Prolonged sucking > will cause damage to teeth, even from Milk sugars. >So this says milk would be okay which is leading me to believe (since you are >the health care professional) that there are no health benefits at this point as >long as this is not the sole dietary source.  Otherwise they should be getting >plenty of vitamins from other foods? So why not just skip the bottle (yet >another weaning to come) and go to a cup, since hopefully that is the end goal >anyway?

There are health benefits. Breastfeeding still boosts the child’s immune system. By the time they had diminished from 50 to 8, the dwarves began to suspect Hungry.

Response:

>   What does the general population think about 3 year old "babies" >still drinking out of a bottle?  Is it necessary? > I don’t think "is it necessary?" is the right question; "is it good > for the child?" is the right question. I’d recommend that they stop > when mom and child are ready. That may be 1, it may be 3, it may be 5. > Breastfeeding isn’t like drinking out of a bottle, for child *or* mom.

Mom shouldn’t have anything to do with it (I should say shouldn’t have much to do with it).  One of our jobs as mothers is to prepare our children for the next stage, period.  I can’t argue with boosted immune system. >> As long as the breast milk is not the main source of food, then there is >> little harm that can be done by continueing to breast feed – as long as YOU >> are still comfortable about it! >Little harm, what harm? I know my opinion on this but what is yours? > I know of no harm from extended breastfeeding.

Except the psychological damage that could result when his classmates see him saying, "look what we did in school today mom" as he climbs on to his mothers lap, lifts her shirt and sucks from her breast.  The average child does NOT breast feed until 3 or 5.  What about that?  Would you agree that pacifiers until the age of 5 are okay as well? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

I am not an expert, but I have a sister-in-law who breastfed until 2+ (she actually still is "for comfort") and her child has several cavities. Her dentist said it was from breastfeeding. Mom just needs to make the decision to stop, as with bottle weaning or pacifier for that matter, after a few days they just won’t remember,and they certainly will not have any psychological damage. Like I said I’m no expert, but I am a Mom and I have a healthy, happy child.                                     Becky – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Perhaps you could try introducing a bottle instead… though don’t allow the > child to take a bottle – even a bottle of Milk – to bed.  Prolonged sucking > will cause damage to teeth, even from Milk sugars.

Response:

>our daughter will be one-year old soon & eats regular food with no problem. >when does breastfeeding lose it’s value

It doesn’t as far as I know… but I wouldn’t encourage anyone to breast-feed beyond 3 years of age – though in some cultures, children are still suckled at age of 5. As long as the breast milk is not the main source of food, then there is little harm that can be done by continueing to breast feed – as long as YOU are still comfortable about it! Children need a comforter, and it is likely that your breast feeding is providing this.   Are you only breast-feeding at certain times of the day – like last thing at night? Perhaps you could try introducing a bottle instead… though don’t allow the child to take a bottle – even a bottle of Milk – to bed.  Prolonged sucking will cause damage to teeth, even from Milk sugars. Mail me if you like… Nick BTW I am a Nursery Nurse, with 8 years experience of children. http://www.nbs.home.ml.org – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->thanks

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>> I think there’s one important point you left out, although I agree with > everything else you’ve said. In the U.S., parents are hell-bent on making sure > their children are independent–, and, it seems, at as young an age as > possible. >Isn’t our goal as parents to raise self assured and independant human beings.  What >age is appropriate to begin teaching this in your opinion?  IMO it is never too >early.

It’s never too early, but the question is how the teaching should be done. It’s not necessarily the case that pushing an infant away (for example, by unilaterally deciding that he’s too old to nurse) from early on is the best way to teach independence as an adult. In fact, there’s a fair bit of evidence that letting babies be babies and children be children for a long time (relative to the current fashion) is the best way to teach long term independence. Read any of the Sears’ books for a lot more information. …snip… > And that’s another biggie: making babies sleep in another room. The parents get > to cuddle together all night, while the baby–who must learn to be independent > from Mom and Dad–slumbers away all alone in another room. >So why do you suppose the crib was invented?  Yes, we are supposed to nurture and >love and comfort but we are not supposed to let them invade (yes I said invade) our >every space.  I think it is totally inappropriate to let children sleep in bed with >mom and dad.  It teaches them nothing, except that maybe their every whim will be >fulfilled if they cry loud enough.  Both my boys slept alone from day one (barring >a temp or illness, I’m not a witch although you may disagree ), they slept >through the night at 8 weeks each and were bottle weaned at 8 months.

*WHEN* do you suppose the crib was invented? It’s not as though "baby in crib in another room" is really the natural order of things. When my wife and I decided to expand our family, the last word I’d have thought to use for our child is "invader". He was *invited* into our bed as part of our family group, and it’s taught him that Mom and Dad are there for him when he needs us, which in turn has given him room to become so independent as a nearly-3-year-old that we get frequent comments from other about it. I’m glad your parenting method is working out for you. I wish you wouldn’t attack those of us who, after somne careful thought and research, have adopted family bed and/or attachment parenting and are doing quite well with it, thanks. So far, my son has decided when it was a good time to stop nursing (except at bedtime), when it was a good time to move into his own bed, and when it was a good time to stop wearing diapers. If he were any more independent, I’d start hiding the car keys. To beat the system, turn the handle the way it goes – only more so.

Response:

>Someone recently posted to >another newsgroup that Juliet’s nurse in "Romeo and Juliet" weaned >Juliet at about the age of three. (This is a math thing — we know >Juliet is 14, the nurse says something about it being 9 years since >Juliet was weaned.)>>

That would be age five, then, not three, right? >Early weaning (i.e., at age 1 or earlier) is, I believe, a fairly recent >and decidedly Western phenomenon. It’s driven by two factors: >1) The availability of cow’s milk to take the place of mother’s milk. >2) The Western hang-up on breasts as sexual objects.

I think there’s one important point you left out, although I agree with everything else you’ve said. In the U.S., parents are hell-bent on making sure their children are independent–, and, it seems, at as young an age as possible. My sister-in-law nurses her son more than hourly when she’s home. My sister scoffs at this, saying, "He has to learn that he can’t have Mommy all the time." The kid is four months old! People are always asking of new parents, "Does your baby sleep through the night yet?" Why do we expect infants to be independent so early? I think 12 hours is a long time for a little baby to be separated from his parents. And that’s another biggie: making babies sleep in another room. The parents get to cuddle together all night, while the baby–who must learn to be independent from Mom and Dad–slumbers away all alone in another room. I could go on, but I’ll stop here. My .05. Anne

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> I know of no harm from extended breastfeeding. >Except the psychological damage that could result when his classmates see him saying, >"look what we did in school today mom" as he climbs on to his mothers lap, lifts her >shirt and sucks from her breast.  The average child does NOT breast feed until 3 or >5.  What about that?  Would you agree that pacifiers until the age of 5 are okay as >well? > And how is this going to happen? Unless you’re going to make the > preposterous assumption that "nursing at 5" means "nursing anywhere, > anytime at 5", it’s not going to happen.

Why not?  If there isn’t anything wrong with it?? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

> I think there’s one important point you left out, although I agree with > everything else you’ve said. In the U.S., parents are hell-bent on making sure > their children are independent–, and, it seems, at as young an age as > possible.

Isn’t our goal as parents to raise self assured and independant human beings.  What age is appropriate to begin teaching this in your opinion?  IMO it is never too early. > People are always asking of new parents, "Does your baby sleep through the > night yet?" Why do we expect infants to be independent so early? I think 12 > hours is a long time for a little baby to be separated from his parents.

Being separated and sleeping are not the same thing.  I do think however, that 12 hours of sleeping is sleeping through the night (and into the morning) > And that’s another biggie: making babies sleep in another room. The parents get > to cuddle together all night, while the baby–who must learn to be independent > from Mom and Dad–slumbers away all alone in another room.

So why do you suppose the crib was invented?  Yes, we are supposed to nurture and love and comfort but we are not supposed to let them invade (yes I said invade) our every space.  I think it is totally inappropriate to let children sleep in bed with mom and dad.  It teaches them nothing, except that maybe their every whim will be fulfilled if they cry loud enough.  Both my boys slept alone from day one (barring a temp or illness, I’m not a witch although you may disagree ), they slept through the night at 8 weeks each and were bottle weaned at 8 months. If moms milk is so vaulable why not just give it to them in a cup?  THIS is my debate?!  Why the nipple (bottle or breast)?  This is used intitially as a form of supplying the milk because all babies can do is suck.  When they can drink, why not let them drink? > I could go on, but I’ll stop here.

same here. . . ) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My .05. > Anne

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Come on people, her baby isn’t even one yet!  She’s not asking about being 3 or 5.  Breast are for nursing, not sex and as long as she and her baby nurse that’s her business and no one else’s, even if she does until the age of 5.

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It never does. — Marie B. Proud mommy to Jessica, born May 12 To email, remove * from email address. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> our daughter will be one-year old soon & eats regular food with no problem. > when does breastfeeding lose it’s value > thanks

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>I am not an expert, but I have a sister-in-law who breastfed until 2+ >(she actually still is "for comfort") and her child has several >cavities. Her dentist said it was from breastfeeding.

Her dentist needs to spend some quality time with some La Leche League folks and/or studies on breastfeeding and cavities. A LLL leader can provide him with a large number of studies in various dental journals on the subject. Breastmilk contains lauridicin, a fat with animicrobial qualities, which reduces the decay causing ability of certian bacteria as they act on sugar-containing food, so breastmilk may actually *prevent* cavities. Rune’s Rule:         If you don’t care where you are, you ain’t lost.

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> When would you recommend that they stop then?  I know I will take heat > for this > post. (I know I will!) but isn’t 3 years old for breastfeeding a bit > excessive??  What does the general population think about 3 year old > "babies" > still drinking out of a bottle?  Is it necessary?

The great apes regularly nurse their infants until they are 1.5-2 years of age. Given that human babies are born gestationally younger than apes and that they take longer to reach sexual maturity, it seems logical to expect that the natural age for weaning a human child would be between the ages of 2 and 3. There are references in literature to suggest that the weaning age for most children in the medieval and renaissance eras was closer to 3 than to 2. Although I can’t provide an exact cite, someone recently posted to another newsgroup that Juliet’s nurse in "Romeo and Juliet" weaned Juliet at about the age of three. (This is a math thing — we know Juliet is 14, the nurse says something about it being 9 years since Juliet was weaned.) Early weaning (i.e., at age 1 or earlier) is, I believe, a fairly recent and decidedly Western phenomenon. It’s driven by two factors: 1) The availability of cow’s milk to take the place of mother’s milk. All doctors agree that children up to age 3 need milk, except in cases of extreme allergy. (Of course, in cases of extreme allergy, mother’s milk is usually fine.) 2) The Western hang-up on breasts as sexual objects. This, IMO, is the biggie. As soon as children are old enough to walk and talk, Western society assumes their old enough to sexualize breasts. This is a bunch of hooey, of course, but it’s why people are uncomfortable with the idea of a 3-year-old nursing. There is absolutely no scientific evidence I know of to suggest that breastfeeding a child to the age of 3 or even 5 causes any psychological or social problems for the child. If you can find such evidence, I urge you to post it. Just my .02 cents. Be well, Barbara (Julian’s mom) "My idea of an agreeable person is someone who agrees with me." – Benjamin Disraeli

Response:

>>   What does the general population think about 3 year old "babies" > >still drinking out of a bottle?  Is it necessary? > I don’t think "is it necessary?" is the right question; "is it good > for the child?" is the right question. I’d recommend that they stop > when mom and child are ready. That may be 1, it may be 3, it may be 5. > Breastfeeding isn’t like drinking out of a bottle, for child *or* mom. >Mom shouldn’t have anything to do with it (I should say shouldn’t have much to do >with it).  One of our jobs as mothers is to prepare our children for the next stage, >period.  I can’t argue with boosted immune system.

One of the big differences between breastfeeding and bottle feeding is exactly that mom *does* have something to do with it. It’s not just food. > >> As long as the breast milk is not the main source of food, then there is > >> little harm that can be done by continueing to breast feed – as long as YOU > >> are still comfortable about it! > >Little harm, what harm? I know my opinion on this but what is yours? > I know of no harm from extended breastfeeding. >Except the psychological damage that could result when his classmates see him saying, >"look what we did in school today mom" as he climbs on to his mothers lap, lifts her >shirt and sucks from her breast.  The average child does NOT breast feed until 3 or >5.  What about that?  Would you agree that pacifiers until the age of 5 are okay as >well?

And how is this going to happen? Unless you’re going to make the preposterous assumption that "nursing at 5" means "nursing anywhere, anytime at 5", it’s not going to happen. But do your own thing, and I shall know you.         – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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There are some excellent articles on this topic on the web.  I especially recommend the articles by Katherine Dettwyler, PhD, and anthropologist who has studied and written extensively on breastfeeding as a biocultural phenomenon.  These two URL are the most pertinent of her writings on the web, "Why Nurse Toddlers" and "A Natural Age of Weaning" <http://www.prairienet.org/community/health/laleche/dettoddler.html> <http://www.prairienet.org/community/health/laleche/detwean.html> One of the points she makes (more eloquently than I) is that the diminishing incremental value of continuing to breastfeed after solid foods are introduced is no reason to wean, because breastfeeding continues to have some value (immunological, nutritional, psychological) for as long as it continues.  There is no point at which the milk becomes "worthless", only a point at which a child out-grows the need for it.  That age is different for each child, depending on numerous factors from the availability of hygenic and nutritious alternative foods to the mother’s comfort (or lack thereof) in the non-sexual and utilitarian use of her breasts. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >our daughter will be one-year old soon & eats regular food with no problem. > >when does breastfeeding lose it’s value > It doesn’t as far as I know… but I wouldn’t encourage anyone to > breast-feed beyond 3 years of age – though in some cultures, children are > still suckled at age of 5. >When would you recommend that they stop then?  I know I will take heat for this >post. (I know I will!) but isn’t 3 years old for breastfeeding a bit >excessive??  What does the general population think about 3 year old "babies" >still drinking out of a bottle?  Is it necessary? > As long as the breast milk is not the main source of food, then there is > little harm that can be done by continueing to breast feed – as long as YOU > are still comfortable about it! >Little harm, what harm? I know my opinion on this but what is yours? > Children need a comforter, and it is likely that your breast feeding is > providing this.   Are you only breast-feeding at certain times of the day – > like last thing at night? >Comparing breastfeeding to a blankie is not making me a believer. . . > Perhaps you could try introducing a bottle instead… though don’t allow the > child to take a bottle – even a bottle of Milk – to bed.  Prolonged sucking > will cause damage to teeth, even from Milk sugars. >So this says milk would be okay which is leading me to believe (since you are >the health care professional) that there are no health benefits at this point as >long as this is not the sole dietary source.  Otherwise they should be getting >plenty of vitamins from other foods? So why not just skip the bottle (yet >another weaning to come) and go to a cup, since hopefully that is the end goal >anyway? > Just curious. . .

J.Rachael Hamlet Visit The Breastfeeding Advocacy Page at     http://www.clark.net/pub/activist/bfpage/bfpage.html

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