Channel 4 (Wednesday) Extreme Breastfeeding

[Plocket]

Am I the only one? I found the idea of a nearly 8-year old child suckling on her mother's breast quite revolting. Mind you OH expected to see women leaping out of aeroplanes while breastfeeding!!!

[kempie]

Obviously not.

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Film-and-TV/Question195377.html

[Bohne]

I am probably one of even fewer who finds the idea of any child of any age suckling on a breast quite revolting...

I grew up being bottlefed and my child will have to also!

[AliFlump]

I think breast feeding a child til the age of 8 is not right, when they can start asking for it i think you should stop.

But breastfeeding them from a being a baby is perfectly natural its what breasts are there for.

[noxlumos]

What are breasts for then Bohne, they aren't a sexual aid, they're for feeding your child?

Bottle fed babies have a higher incidence of cot death, are more fractious, prone to infections and there are studies suggesting it effects the child's emotional wellbeing ( right into adulthood,) as well as IQ.I think it's the most beautiful thing in the world to see a baby suckling it's mother. What exactly revolts you about it?

I agree 8 is rather old to be breastfeeding but continental women fed their children to school age as quite a normal thing.Didn't see the programme so can't comment on it's contents ahead of that.

[cynthia7]

I didn't see the programe itself but saw the previews of it. Indeed, I felt a bit embarrassed to see the 8 year old. There is a limit.

[Plocket]

Noxlumos - I take your comments on board but I was unable to breastfeed my baby when she was born, despite my trying. My daughter is a very bright child, is far from fractious, rarely gets bugs and is emotionally balanced - so far.

[noxlumos]

Plocket no offence was intended to you at all, I was just rather amazed that anyone could find a child suckling it's mother repulsive. My comments were not aimed at anyone unable to breastfeed their child, indeed my wife was unable to feed one of our sons for purely physical reasons.I was more interested in why Bohne is clearly so anti breastfeeding, when it's fairly clear that it has definate advantages.Once again apologies if that offended you, it certainly wasn't aimed at those unable to breast feed.

[Plocket]

Oh Noxlumos you haven't offended me at all! I just think that sometimes mothers are bullied a bit into breastfeeding by midwives and health visitors, and that mothers who bottle feed aren't being cruel to their children! I'm so sorry I made you think you'd offended me.

[nagnag]

I noticed that one mother said that immunity was increased yet also stated that her child had a heavy cold, during an interview, great immune properties there.
If the milk is so beneficial why don't they express it into a bottle or glass, oh of course they can't coz they'd notice it looks just like water.
Who benefits? Mother or child?

[anj74]

I breastfed all 3 of my children (one for 4 months, 2 for 7 months) my main reason being the health benefits but also, I don't know why anyone would want to be making up bottles every day and getting up in the night to heat bottles when there is a simple and free alternative. OK, it does take a bit of commitment and the first few weeks of feeding on demand can be tough, but I have found it very easy.

I found the programme disappointing, british views of breastfeeding are poor and anyone mother to be thinking of breastfeeding could well have been put off breastfeeding. I would certainly say that there is no need for an 8 year old to be breastfed, in a similar way that we move our children on from nappies and dummies, it is part of gaining independence and growing up to stop breastfeeding.

[Pippa68]

In my view, breastfeeding a child older than a year old is purely for the mother's benefit & not the childs. It looks to me more about control then anything else.

I breastfed my 4 children & to be honest was ready to give up long before they were! they all fed until they were around 9 months old. I am not a 'militant' breastfeeder & certainly wouldn't condemn anyone for choosing not to breastfeed but I think it is a shame not to try. Even breastfeeding for 3 days gives your baby a good start, but I fully understand & sympathise with anyone who has tried & 'failed' (I hate that expression) to breastfeed.

If these women have problems giving their children cows milk (& some do) then expressing would be much better. I still find the whole thing very strange...breastmilk is for babies. I bet they put breastmilk in their hubbies coffee too ;o)