Attachment Parenting: At What Age Is a Child Too Old to Breastfeed?
ABC News U.S.
2012/03/06 00:42:18
- 3,394 votes
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Top Opinion
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NurseMom 2012/03/06 04:59:23 (edited)3.5 years and older
+4The very wording of this "poll" betrays the disapproval of the pollster. "By what age do you think a child should wean from the breast?" would be a less leading way of wording it. The research is very clear that the longer the duration of breastfeeding, the more medical benefits to both the child and the mother--long-term and even lifelong benefits--not just during the nursing period. Children deserve their mother's milk for a *minimum* of two years. The US would save billions in medical care costs if we encouraged, not discouraged, women to breastfeed. The longer the better!
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- Terra 2012/04/10 01:27:493.5 years and older
These results are ridiculous. Our breasts produce exactly what our babies/toddlers/children need. I think it's bizarre that people wean their babies from their breast and introduce them to ANOTHER MAMMAL'S BREAST MILK. How weird is our society?!!reply - CookiiC... Terra 2012/04/12 07:46:00I totally agree with you.reply
- hari 2012/03/08 11:50:042 years oldtwo years is okayreply
- BIBmama 2012/03/07 02:25:523.5 years and older+2The societal belief that breastfeeding should cease at an arbitrarily assigned age is not only detrimental to children, but it is not supported by any research. Breastfeeding is not just a "feeding" concern, it is a public health issue. The research continues to prove that breastfeeding continues to provide antibodies and immune support to children for however long they nurse. The benefits don't end until the child weans.reply
- CookiiCutter 2012/03/06 09:17:333.5 years and older+2I cannot believe how many people think 1yr is long enough. The benefits kick into full swing at 2yrs, and it has benefits until the age of 7 believe it or now. Once you lose your milk teeth is when the body says 'hey it's time to move on'. Breast milk however never loses it's benefits.reply
- Beat Magnum True Hero 2012/03/06 08:49:551 year old+1If they're old enough to walk up to you and ask for your breast, they're too old.reply
- Terra Beat Ma... 2012/04/10 01:29:51+1But if they can ask for a glass of cow's breast milk you'll give it to them?!reply
- AustinBarcaFan 2012/03/06 05:51:141 year old+2Generally, I think kids should be drinking from a cup by 1 year old whether breast or bottle. However, it is really up to the mother. I am not sure there are many benefits above 1 year old that would indicate a need to continue. To each their own though.reply
- NurseMom AustinB... 2012/03/06 05:59:46+3Actually, there *are* medical benefits (to both mother and child) that extend beyond a year. For example, the protective factor against breast cancer is dose related. So the longer a woman nurses, the lower her risk. That's just one example. :-)reply
- AustinB... NurseMom 2012/03/06 06:02:46That is interesting.reply
- Jane NurseMom 2012/03/06 14:44:05I don't believe everything I read and preventing breast cancer would not be a good reason to make a child emotionally crippled by breast feeding till they are 3 years old. Also I breast feed 3 children till around a year old and I had breast cancer at 58. That being said the benefits of breast feeding are many.reply
- NurseMom Jane 2012/03/06 20:09:32+3First, it's good that you don't believe everything you read, and you certainly shouldn't take a stranger's word for it! But the medical research is very clear that breastfeeding reduces the *risk* of some types of breast cancer, not only in the mother, but in daughters who were breastfed. You are a good example and reminder that it is not a GUARANTEE. It reduces the RISK. And according to the research, it reduces it enough to actually negate the risk factor of having a mother with breast cancer. So having a mother who died of breast cancer puts me in a higher risk category, but my years of breastfeeding cancelled that.reply
- Jane NurseMom 2012/03/07 15:13:01+1hope soreply
- NurseMom Jane 2012/03/06 20:14:16+3Second, there is ZERO research to back up your assertion that breastfeeding till 3 makes a child "emotionally crippled". Quite the opposite, in fact. The research is overflowing with not only the emotional and developmental benefits, but the short-term and long-term physical benefits of nursing till 3 (or older). While I applaud your tendency to not believe everything you read, you might want to apply that same skepticism to the sweeping statements made by yourself and others that have no basis in fact. Of course you have the right to think nursing past a year is weird or even wrong, but it's just that...an opinion. One which is not backed by the research.reply
- Jane NurseMom 2012/03/07 15:13:56I read thisreply
- NurseMom 2012/03/06 04:59:23 (edited)3.5 years and older+4The very wording of this "poll" betrays the disapproval of the pollster. "By what age do you think a child should wean from the breast?" would be a less leading way of wording it. The research is very clear that the longer the duration of breastfeeding, the more medical benefits to both the child and the mother--long-term and even lifelong benefits--not just during the nursing period. Children deserve their mother's milk for a *minimum* of two years. The US would save billions in medical care costs if we encouraged, not discouraged, women to breastfeed. The longer the better!reply
- Lady Whitewolf 2012/03/06 01:42:201 year oldOne year is long enough.reply
- Alvin 2012/03/06 01:22:593 years old+2Actually it is a decision between the Mother and the Child. The time varies from person to person. Mother's milk is the perfect food for the growing infant. Once they start eating other food (real food not formula or crap along those lines) then the child is getting ready to be weaned.reply
- baby shaker 2012/03/06 01:10:173.5 years and older+1You're never too old to stop sucking boobiesreply
- ken 2012/03/06 00:50:231 year old+4When their teeth break through their gums sounds about right. What age is that?reply
- Cassond... ken 2012/03/06 05:36:19+3Teething generally starts around 4 months - some kids are a little older, some are also younger. Some babies are even born with teeth. So your suggestion that teething is an indication that breastfeeding should stop is a little ridiculous. Not to mention, breastfeeding offers comfort to a teething baby in pain. The WHO recommends children be breastfed for 2 years. I just don't understand what it is about breastfeeding that people don't get/like.reply
- ken Cassond... 2012/03/06 05:46:25+1Whatever. It's not gonna be my teats getting chewed off. I've got nothing whatsoever against breastfeeding. Just pain. If you can stand it, go for it.reply
- CookiiC... ken 2012/03/06 09:18:58+3Wow, you know children only bite the first couple of times until they are used too it.reply
- Beat Ma... Cassond... 2012/03/06 08:51:022? Sorry, the kid is too big.reply
- Linnster 2012/03/06 00:46:173.5 years and older+3When your kindergartener has milk and cookies at school and you have to be there because you're the "milk," you should consider weaning your child.reply
