Breastfeeding....When should it end?

[abond0017]

Ok....I just saw a clip online that got me thinking about this question.
The woman in the video was still breastfeeding her daughter at 8 yrs. old.
I have to admit (and not meaning to offend anyone here who may have a different opinion than me about it) it creeped me out when they actually showed her 8 yr old daughter doing it.
My best friend did it until her daughter was 4 and it didnt seem too odd...so I am not completely against breastfeeding longer than is generally accepted...I just think 8 is a way too long.
How old do you guys think is too old?

This poll is set to keep answers private and I hope it doesnt offend anyone...it is not meant to.
I am just curious what the consensus is here since most of you are moms and I am not.

[Merczilla]

To me, that's excessive. I know in some cultures it's acceptable, but a child that age no longer "needs" the nutrition from that. She/he is perfectly able to go make them selves a sandwich, for crying out loud. lol I had a neighbor once years ago that was still breastfeeding her daughter who was almost 4, if I remember right. I was "young" at the time and was really repulsed by it.

Now it wouldn;t bother me so much, but when it ceases to be a "need" for survival, then I think it should be done away with. Of course, everyone can do whatever they like, but I certainly wouldn;t want one of my kids grabbing at me at that age. Ouch. lol

[pedspeech]

Now it wouldn;t bother me so much, but when it ceases to be a "need" for survival, then I think it should be done away with.

In our culture, it really isn't "needed" for survival now because lots of children are never breastfed- they just go straight to formula. For some that is the right choice!

I had a hard time answering this question concretely because "when it feels right" is always a little scary as an option- there is always someone who takes it to the extreme (like the lady/child in that video) in my opinion. Personally, I would be a little put off seeing anyone older than a toddler nursing.

I nursed my second child until he was 15 months old. I was more than ready for him to be done by then but it took him a little while to agree with me...

[tivaclare]

I think I've heard that there a few nutritional benefits in it much after 1 year to 18months. I'd have to fact check that again to be sure.

I used to work at a school and we'd see 5-6 year olds still being breastfed. They'd just lift up mom's shirt and go at it. I also noticed that these kids were a little "weird" and clingy and didn't socialize well. I'm not saying breastfeeding is bad, I nursed my daughter and plan to nurse baby #2, but I think there comes a time when a child needs to be a little more independant.

[bnjv8crd]

If the child leaves their group of friends and walks up to the mom and clearly states that they want the b*ob, I think it's time to quit! There is no reason for a child that old to be anywhere near there. Most pediatrician's will tell you to wean your baby off the bottle and formula at 1 yr old. (Mine were off formula at 1 but still had a bottle til about 18 months maybe.) They are then put on regular milk. The same should be done with breast-fed babies.

[abond0017]

I used to work at a school and we'd see 5-6 year olds still being breastfed. They'd just lift up mom's shirt and go at it. I also noticed that these kids were a little "weird" and clingy and didn't socialize well.

I could see where this would be a consequence.... actually it would be my main concern about doing it that long...

I also saw someone had posted a comment about this video and said that it is normal for the child to want to be comforted and that even at 8 yrs old it should not be forced upon the child to give it up if that is what they seek as comfortbecause breastfeeding is the most natural thing. WHAT????
I think my reply to that would be...if a child is more comfortable wearing a diaper till they are 8, should that be allowed as well...afterall the child doesnt want to stop and an 8 yr old knows what is best right?
To me it is the same logic.

[Merczilla]

I tried to breastfeed my first three children. It just didn;t work for me. Apparently I just don;t produce much of anything. My last was severly premature, so I didn;t even try. Mine all ended up on formula. There are some of us that it just doesn;t work. If this was way back in the olden days, my kids probably would have died. lol Not that that's really funny.

But there are those of us that just can't for whatever reason. Mine were pretty much off the bottle by 18 months at the latest. I did drag out my last one with a bedtime bottle till he was a little over three. But he's my last. Won't be no more babies roun' here. lol

In our culture, it really isn't "needed" for survival now because lots of children are never breastfed- they just go straight to formula. For some that is the right choice!

I nursed my second child until he was 15 months old. I was more than ready for him to be done by then but it took him a little while to agree with me...

[lmcconne]

As a bystander only, I always consider it strange still doing it if the child can talk.

[nascar20fan2]

Wow! 8 years old! I stopped breastfeeding my son when he was about 1 year old. He's 10 now, (but 8 wasn't that long ago) and he thinks its gross when he accidentally sees me in my bra! LOL I can't imagine him walking up and latching on. I definitely think if a child is old enough to ask you to whip out a breast for a midday snack that is a little much to say the least! Some people amaze me.

[MrsPinecone]

I am all for breastfeeding for as long as is mutually acceptable, but when your kids can name the boobs and draw pictures of them, I think that the time has come to wean.

If the mom still wants her to have breastmilk, pump and put it in a cup.

I nursed the Pinenut until 14 months. That's all he was interested in. This new one will be nursed at least that long.