Why would anyone think that it is okay to breastfeed an 8 year old child?

Question

I thought my sister was breastfeeding her baby too long (she is 2) which the doctor did tell her to stop giving her the breast.

Anyhow i came across a very disturbing video on Youtube about this and i think it is so sick and i see it as like molesting and would she still do this if her kids were boys? What do you think? (I have nothing against breastfeeding but this is just plain sickening) Your thoughts??

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxv6R9fUO74

Answer 1

I have seen that before in a womens magazine and it still makes me want to vomit.  I am all for breastfeeding but this women is a sicko!  They have names for them, they draw pictures of them - how are these children going to cope as adults in society!  I think I am going to have nightmares tonight!  P.S.  Im sure people in the remotist parts of Africa still don't breast feed their 8 year olds!!

Answer 2

That seems pretty weird to me, but I'm an American.

Hubby watched that video with me and he was disturbed too.

I don't even know what else to say to that. I know in other countries they breast feed for longer and stuff, but I guess I'm used to America where people breastfeed MAYBE a year, if that.

Answer 3

First let me say that I support a mother's choice to breast feed or bottle feed their child.However it seems to be somewhat excessive to still be breastfeeding a child of 8.What if the child decided she wanted to breastfeed while out in public?I'm sure more than a few eyebrows would be risen,I would like to ask this mother at what age she believes her child should stop nursing.If her child needs to feel safe and secure why not just snuggle up together.Teaching our children to feel secure in an uncertaain world requires more effort than to breastfeed.We need to let them experience living in the real world, make real choices  and be exposed to new experiences.We can not keep the umbilical cord attached forever we must allow our children the opportunity to grow and develop .I don't really know why this mother would feel the need to put this on You Tube which is tantamount to a video "National Tattler" or "Enquirer". ( However I do enjoy their music videos) I always thought nursing mothers said it was a time of intimate bonding for mother and child, so once again, why put the video on You Tube? How does this type of exposure benifit her child in any way ? How does it make her child feel secure knowing that strangers are watching this? I'm just a grandma not a child expert but I just don't get it.

Answer 4

That is very disturbing!

Answer 5

When I was pregnant with my first I went to a meeting about breastfeeding to see if it would be something I would want to do and at the leader of the meeting had her two boys there they were 6 and 8 and halfway through the meeting I was feeling like I might be really interested in breastfeeding.....right up until the point where the woman's 6 yr old son crawled into her lap, lifted her shirt and began breasfeeding while she continued to speak. It totally turned me off and sadly she did the opposite of what she was trying to do. She was trying to get people to breastfeed but instead I think she turned people sour to the idea.

I just think that is way too old. I have no problem with people breastfeeding their babies even until they are 2 or 3 but I think 3 would have to be the over all limit for me to feel comfortable seeing.

Answer 6

i think that in a time where kids are scared of everything, and ppl in the world are mean, its ok to do it to provide a sense of comfort to your child.

will I , no. my son weaned himself off at 7months.

Answer 7

Can women produce milk that long?  I heard you sorta "run dry" if your not constantly pumping or breast feeding, and even then some women run out before they're ready....

I try to keep an open mind on what other people do.  The breast feeding doesn't seem sexual in anyway, but from my up bringing it is very odd....

I see your point, for the average kid...drawing b***s would have them seeing the school consoler, or cps.  

Hmm...intersting video.  But I don't think I care to see another one.

Answer 8

they were in a freak accident and got hit in the head really hard?

Answer 9

Well.. I was breastfed till I was about 8-9 years and yea i see your point but as long as the mom doesn't like force them or gets turned on then really I don't there is a problem but hey that's just my opinion

I'm American By The Way

Answer 10

Its only sick if s*x is implied

However if it is only for purposes of nutrition, then it might be healthier as less polutants enter the childs bloodstream then if they were fed from a plastic bottle.

Truly, i dont know. I lack b*****s..

Answer 11

Well they are in a different country, maybe it's different..

Answer 12

What business is it of yours how long a person nurses?  Nursing past 2 is quite normal and both you and the Dr. need to get out and see the world a bit.  It is QUITE normal in other parts of the world to nurse past 2.

And it sounds as if to me that people in the US generally think that b*****s are sexual, which they are not.  They are put on us first and foremost to feed our children..not as s*x toys.

EDIT:  You stated: "Anyhow i came across a very disturbing video on Youtube about this and i think it is so sick and i see it as like molesting and would she still do this if her kids were boys? What do you think?"

And people can't see how others are sexualized the b*****s when NURSING is obviously non-sexual?

Answer 13

While I agree that it's normal in other parts of the world, it is not the norm here. If you are living in an underdeveloped country where food is scarce, then you will feed your children whatever you can. However, in countries where there are sooooooo many  healthy alternatives, there is no reason to keep a CHILD on the breast that long. Is it sexual? I don't think so. But I wouldn't want my kids to grow up and have clear memories of hanging off my breast at 8 years old. If she really wanted to do it for health reasons, why not express and put it in a cup? It sounds like the mother just doesn't want to let go and realize her CHILDREN are growing up.

Answer 14

Sounds like that mom has a separation issue.

Answer 15

I think you should respect everyone's views,no matter how odd they may be.

Answer 16

It is common for kids to breastfeed that long in some countries, but I think that the age limit should honestly be a year

Answer 17

I actually watched this documentary when it was on. I would just like to point out that not everyone in the UK is like this crazy woman!!! at the end of the documentary the girl had stopped breastfeeding but only because she lost her suckle reflex and he mother was the one who was the most upset about it. It is my opinion that it was the mother pushing breastfeeding onto her daughter after seeing her reaction when she had to stop. She actually suggested pumping it so her daughter could still have the milk!

I am currently breastfeeding my 4 week old daughter and will stop at the latest by 1 year. Breast is for babies not children.

Answer 18

ew.

that is just disgusting.

eww!!

Answer 19

"breast milk is still best for baby up to 2 years" as written in all commercialized milk formulas.... up to two years only...

8 years and you sister produces milk on her b*****s??? are you sure?...

it's really sickening!!!

Answer 20

diso

Answer 21

Personally I find it ridiculous.

Answer 22

I think that children should be weaned by the time they are toddlers. no exceptions.

Answer 23

That's just....weird. Wow.

Answer 24

Ew i know, i cant believe that people actually do that! In the New Zealand Womans Weekly, there was an article on a lady that does it to bond with her children 12 and 10. For there birthdays they want to spend the day sucking on there mothers b*****s, They all share a big family bed (two double matresses. Gross.

Answer 25

its not that bad, my mom stopped breastfeeding me when I was 10!

Answer 26

OMG! i won't agree to that.. your right it's sickening... 8 yr. old, breastfeeding? hello?..... disgusting.......(",

Answer 27

my husband lived in africa (very remote parts of mozambique) for 2 years, and the oldest kids he saw breastfeeding were 4 or 5.  They were old enough to say (direct translation) "give me your boob!"  I'm sure it was entirely non-sexual for these children and their mothers, but i personally would feel uncomfortable breastfeeding my child this long.  Once they can ask for it... they are probably too old to breastfeed in my opinion.  Also, to those who had questions- women can continue breastfeeding, normally as long as their child keeps sucking.  Your milk will dry up if no one is sucking, but if an 8 year old has been taking your milk since birth, you will continue to produce milk until he/she stops.  Personally i'm not sure why you would want to continue breastfeeding once your child has a full set of teeth...

Answer 28

i think i child should stop breastfeeding by 3 years old but 8 no some kids actually start puberty then. So imagine your sucking on your moms breast and you getting your own h**l no thats wrong. I can't see the video so i can't base my judgment off of it

Answer 29

SICK

Answer 30

TH E PERSON IS SICK. THAT IS CRAZY TO FEED A EIGHT YEAR OLD CHID