More Moms Nursing Older Children
March 31, 2007 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under breastfeeding, extended breastfeeding
There’s a fascinating and positive article in the Boston Globe today about how more and more women–mainly highly educated women (thank you very much)–are choosing to breastfeed their toddlers, preschoolers and older children. Barbara F. Meltz wrote “Supply and demand: Evidence suggests more women are breast-feeding their children until they’re toddlers and older — and they’re not just earth-mother stereotypes.” (March 31, 2007). The article is very well researched and it contains quotes from top academicians, authors, La Leche League leaders and even my recent interview subject, Dr. Jane Morton.
If you’re interested in discussing this topic, join parenting writer Barbara Meltz for an on-line chat Monday, April 2, 2007 at noon Eastern Standard Time at Boston.com.
I love visiting your site for two reasons: your articles are thoroughly researched and well written, and you are supportive of all mothers - you don’t show a bias for or against mothers in any situation, whether they are having trouble learning to breastfeed, are working full-time and pumping at work, are weaning after six months or waiting until their children choose to wean. As your sister, I am very proud of you for all you do for women, moms, and families!
Thanks Jill! That’s so nice to hear and I really appreciate your support!
I completely agree will Jill. That is why I love visiting your site too. I missed the chat but I bet it was interesting. I am still nursing my daughter Claire. She is potty trained, almost 26 months and still nursing! I guess you could say she is “older”! lol! Thanks again Angela!
I fed my son for 6 months and my oldest daughter until her 4th birth day and my next daughter until somewhere around 3yo when I got pregnant with my twins who are exclusively breastfeeding and are now 3 1/2 months old. Of course, I am an “earth-mother stereotype” to an extent and always learning new ways to get closer to that.
I have always heard, and believed, that your child should wean himself off the breast in his own time. I have studied the benefits, and had no problem breast feeding my child past the age of three. I had a second child who weaned herself off the breast at age 2. She is now 4. However, my son is now 7 years old and continues to breast feed. When he gets home from school, he immediately nuzzles up to my breasts and wants to suck. He likes to do this before tackling his “big boy” chores like homework. I am beginning to wonder if I should intervene and put an end to this. Is there anyone out there who continues to breastfeed their older child? What is the age of the oldest child you have heard still breastfeeding? What if my son never wants to leave my breasts? I am concerned and don’t know what to do. At the same time, I still have the strong belief that my son should wean himself off the breast, and that if he continues to drink my breast milk, it is because he still needs it.
I know of two older children still at the breast. One is 6 and the other is almost 8 years old. I think they will wean when they are ready. It is not like they are nursing every hour thoughtout the day. It is more of a comfort things and reconnection with mom. If you and your son still need that connection then it is your choice.
As far as i am concerned, breastfeeding is a very much personal thing and that for me i am a mother of 6 children of which 4 of them have been weaned when they were at 8 years old and now i am still breastfeeding my third and fourth child who are 8 years old (son) and my 6 years old (daughter). Breastfeeding is a motherly affection and a feeling of caring for the children and it is not “sex”.
Just imagine if there is no medical facility or any hospital or community medical canter nearby, then what will a mother do. She will eventually take a precaution of breastfeeding the child till he or she is grownup.
My situation is the same and that for me the nearest medical facility is about 150 miles away, so i decided to breastfeed my children until they are strong enough health wise. Weaning my children is not a problem at all.
Way to go Trisha My son is 9 and still breastfeeding. He loves it when he gets home from school and has time with me. I think that it makes him relax. He just helps himself. I feel when he is ready to wean he will until then I will keep on letting him breastfeed.
I’m so glad to hear that there are other mothers breast feeding thier “older” children. I have 4 children, 3 of them are still on the breast. My oldest is 8, she weined herself off at age 4. My other children aged 6,4 and 18 months are all still feeding and will continue to do so until they decide otherwise. I love the time I spend with my children when they are nursing, you just feel closer to them.
What great info, as a mum of a 9,7 and almost 3 year old, this has been great reading, my almost 3 year old just doesn’t want to give up the breast and still has a couple of feeds a day, the others weened themselves at 1 and 2 which suited me but I have been getting alot of pressure from my mother to ween her, it’s such a relief to know others out there doing the same, I think it would be more traumatic to take it away before they were ready, though I am ready to have my body back, I find it hard to say no to her, I am trying to distract her with activities, which works to an extent, after reading this though I don’t feel so guilty about feeding her, so thankyou!!
My experience as a mom of three is that the child will indicate when he or she no longer desires to be nursed. My oldest daughter stopped nursing just after age 1, my second daughter at 18 months, but my youngest, a boy is still nursing at 4 years old.
He typically only nurses in the morning and late evening, and I will let him continue as long as he wants.
marissa
I was reading the many post and glad to see more woman nursing longer. Children need that closeness and warmth of mom. Why not allow them to keep nursing. My daughter is still nursing a few times a day.Mostly evening and morning but I will allow her to lead the way. Keep up the good work. My DD just turned 6 years last week.