Breast Is Best. - Page 2

Margaret Pilkington · 01-02-2006, 21:34

And what might be acceptable in the Congo doesn't necessarily translate to Cheadle.

Extended breast feeding for most mothers is a practical impossibility, unless of course you work from home or are a full time mother...which most women aren't.

ANNE · 01-02-2006, 22:49

I was so shocked when I heard that a Mother was still breastfeeding her 8yr old Daughter.
It's just not natural.
I think this person must have some serious problems. It makes me cringe when I hear of a toddler with teeth being breast fed.

Tinkerbelle · 01-02-2006, 22:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANNE

I think this person must have some serious problems. It makes me cringe when I hear of a toddler with teeth being breast fed.

OMG!

OWWWW !! They must be mad!!

katex · 01-02-2006, 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

And what might be acceptable in the Congo doesn't necessarily translate to Cheadle.

Extended breast feeding for most mothers is a practical impossibility, unless of course you work from home or are a full time mother...which most women aren't.

Congo/Cheadle ?? Exactly my point .. not socially acceptable in our society any more, like all women at the moment fighting their career orientated motives against nature .. evolution I suppose, 'as we make it' Lots of new mothers make their excuses that they have problems with breast feeding, when what they are really saying is that they wish to have the freedom of bottle feeding to release them to do other things . No criticism on my part at all. Resent the comments that feeding older children points to psychological problems .. to me just the link stuck in the middle of the Congo and Cheadle.
On a personal note, breast fed my son to 5 months until I had an accident which put me in hospital and after being plied with pain killers, was adviced that best to let go. Was naturally worried as he had never had a bottle since birth. I will never forget the lip-curling on the Sister's face when my daughter brought him into the ward and she exclaimed "Goodness, thought was going to be a younger baby, not one of THAT age, what were you fussing about !" Obvious she thought I should have ceased this practice many weeks beforehand. Still hate that b**ch to this day. All relevant again to social acceptancy if you know what I mean.

Madhatter · 01-02-2006, 23:53

I'm thinking along the same lines M.P., some sort of gratification. She's still breast feeding her daughter at nine, at what age does she stop, 13, 14, 16. I think both mother and daughter have problems there.

garinda · 01-02-2006, 23:55

I suppose this should be in any questions but never mind...

can a women lactate for ever if a baby, or in this case a child, is still suckling?

Is that what a wet nurse was in days gone by? A woman who was employed to feed the offspring of those that wouldn't or couldn't feed their children at their own breast?

Madhatter · 02-02-2006, 00:01

What if it was a boy, this is really strange, cos according to american laws and probably british, there is no legal age to stop, so in theory a 16 yr old boy could still breast feed!

lettie · 02-02-2006, 08:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I suppose this should be in any questions but never mind...

can a women lactate for ever if a baby, or in this case a child, is still suckling?

Women can lactate for as long as they are breastfeeding. It is possible for women who have had children to re-lactate for an adopted child or grandchild. In some cultures the grandmother actually does the breastfeeding while the mother works, I believe that this is quite common in Nepal..

MUMMIBOO · 02-02-2006, 09:57

I think that breast is best, but not for the older child i think when the mother said to the eight year old child "if you cant get any milk then its time to stop" and the 8 year old was upset because she thought that it would be ok to just suck even though not getting any milk from the mother!!! If the mother wanted her child to get the best breast milk then from an early age she should have expressed her milk for the child that way she is still getting the best milk without it being wrong! so if you ask me there is something not quite right in the head of that woman.

There was another lady who was trying to breast feed a baby she had adopted the baby had never been to the breast or had breast milk so why get so exited over trying to get the child to breast feed? she started to feed her from a breast shaped bottle and got very excited when the child drank from it and she was looking to get the child to become a breast feeder, why to then go and change her back again to the bottle and formula milk or cow milk. Its not right i tell you.

Breast feeding should be kept to feeding them up to 12 months and then weaned onto cows milk or you will have problems getting them off.

AccyMad · 02-02-2006, 12:18

I have to say that this programme did disturb me too, one mother said it was a comfort thing - if that's all it is what's wrong with simply giving the child a cuddle.

lettie · 02-02-2006, 13:10

I know the WHO recommend giving some breastmilk up to the age of 2, and I know lots of people in this country who have done this, but I think that 8 years old is extreme to say the least. The reason that the WHO recommend this is because most women in poorer countries have no access to clean water supplies in order to mix formula, or no access to the formula itself. I have no objection to anybody breastfeeding anywhere, in fact I think that it should be encouraged. Nobody would approach an adult who was eating a sandwich on a park bench and ask them to stop because it's offensive, so why the big issue with a baby having it's lunch on the same park bench?

We are extremely lucky in this country that we have access to an alternative way of feeding our babies, but let's face it....... Most women don't feed anywhere near as long as they should or could, because who can afford to be off work for that long???

Margaret Pilkington · 02-02-2006, 20:02

Well, I fed my daughter for 10 months and I only gave up because she had teeth and took great delight in biting me......I do not think I would have carried on much beyond the age of 12 months......and Katex, when i said 'what is Ok in the Congo doesn't necessarily translate to Cheadle' is supported by Lettie's post about clean water and formula and such...it wasn't a cultural reference. Although, to be honest most mothers do not have the luxury to CHOOSE to breastfeed for so long as they need to go back to work to help support the family...and I don't think it is always a convenience thing.....if you want to give your baby breast milk then you can express that milk and it can be given in a feeding bottle.

West Ender · 02-02-2006, 21:32

I think most mothers agree that breast-feeding is the best start for babies though I would never condemn those who, for what ever reason, don't. I breast-fed my own 3 until they were about 4 or 5 months old.

When it comes to breast-feeding an 8 year old I have the image of an indulged child (any siblings? I didn't see the programme) who may well grow up to have an unhealthy mother-fixation. When does it stop? Does mother eventually say, "Well, Tarquin, now you've started shaving it can't carry on due to the stubble-rash"?

slinky · 02-02-2006, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by West Ender

"Well, Tarquin, now you've started shaving it can't carry on due to the stubble-rash"?

Omg that made me laugh!!!

Romps · 02-02-2006, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

to me it begs the question 'Is the mother getting some kind of gratification from this practice?' (call me cynical if you like)

I had this very conversation at work today, & it would appear that most of the people I was talking to regarding the above is of the same opinion........so no it's not your cynical self Margaret!