I saw this on Good Morning America, there is a woman on trial for this, personally I think it's weird and will probably give the kid problems later.
11-01-02, 05:09 PM LVLF It's not abuse, nor is it Okay, it's bizarre. I saw a woman on T.V., spewing on and on about how normal this was, and the way she spoke reminded me of that movie, "The Stepford Wives" They sound like some extreme off-shoot of the La Lache League, only with a surreal cultish essence.
11-02-02, 12:06 AM honilov This sound like incest to me. Anyone with commonsense should know better than to breast fed an 8 year old. She should be thrown in jail or maybe a mental institution will do. There is no milk in the breast that long, so it must be for some other reason. I wonder where are all the men? LOL
11-02-02, 12:26 AM Sherasi A child should be weaned when he/she starts to get teeth. Psychologically children need to develop independence and autonomy and breast feeding too long can damage a child's self-perception.
11-02-02, 12:32 AM jejelale Oh, this poor child, I am sure he knows it just isn't right, but mommy say's its okay. I see many trips to the shrink for this kid. Abuse-incest?? Absolutely!!
11-02-02, 06:44 AM Jelp01 It's at the least very bizarre, and at the most, abuse. The kid should have been weaned, like others have pointed out, as soon as they got teeth. I think this mother has a kink in her slinky.
11-02-02, 06:35 PM Wildflower63 That sounds a little third world country where there is nothing to eat to me. It does seem a bit bizarre. I feel bad for the kid. How will mommy ever cut the apron strings on that kid to have an independent life. That doesn't sound too healthy for either mom or child. They need therapy!
11-05-02, 12:55 AM mahal I've heard of other cultures continuing breast feeding several years, and in the US, some women continue to 18 months (teeth come in long before the 1-year mark).
Teeth seem to be the natural incentive to quit, not to mention the fact that the appetite of an 8-year-old is much larger than that of a 15-pound baby! Even productive breasts wouldn't give much more than a snack. Makes you wonder about the real motive??
Seriously, I don't think the kid will be harmed by this, since it's not really physically damaging (like over-zealous spanking). An 8-year-old hasn't began puberty, and has just as much chance at a new, fresh appetite for all the right things as anyone else. The late breast feeding would only be a subtle influence from the past over the more obvious tight-bluejeaned-teens all around in the present.
The mother is the one who seems to be emotionally attached and the one less able to face being weaned. 11-05-02, 11:51 AM Beth000376 Yes, I agree that eight years old is way to big to be breast feeding. But I will have to disagree with what most said on when to wean a baby. For your baby to really benefit from breast milk they should stay on it for at least a year and even better two years. America is one of the only country where there is a big rush to wean an infant from the breast most all other countries don't even start to wean until the child is 18 months old. It's a shame that we look at breast as such a sexually thing that most mom's here feel awkward or even sexually abusive if they nurse their child past the age of six month's. I had a friend who's child was nine months and still nursing she felt so bad about the comments people said to her that she would hide to feed her son. What a shame. I personally breast feed all my children until they were a year old. Beth wink
11-05-02, 02:42 PM honilov There's a big difference between 18 months and 8 years. Some 8 year old boys have already started thinking about girl friends. There is no milk in the breast that long so what is the boy getting? The mom is the only one getting anything. She should be jailed until she get her priorities straight.
11-05-02, 03:18 PM Beth000376 As I stated before I agree that eight years old is way to old to be breast feeding without a doubt I do not argue that. You are wrong though on one thing breast milk only dries up when there is a lack of demand for it, meaning once the baby start's to suck less you make less milk. You only supply how much your baby is drinking. I nursed for a year with my last child and I never stopped making milk until I weaned my baby and she is three now and I still have a small amount of milk. Beth
11-05-02, 04:03 PM honilov Sorry Beth, I didn't know that milk lasted that long. I've had 2 kids and both times, I had my milk dried up by my doctor at childbirth, so I didn't have a clue. I was a working mother, so it would have been too inconvenient for me to breast-feed. I do believe that breast milk is better for the child. But by 2 years, I think cow milk would be appropriate.
11-05-02, 05:07 PM kittypal Right, breast milk in a lot of women will last until the child stops feeding. In this case the mother said yes, of course the child eats other foods, he nurses at bedtime, upon waking and at times of stress and said she will continue to feed him until he stops asking for it! I say when the kid has a beer in one hand and a ciggy dangling from his mouth even if he is BEGGING for it she should draw the line, lol! Seriously, 8 is just too old and with all the publicity this case is getting he will most likely be teased in school. If the kid wants to be close and have comfort let him cuddle with mommy while she reads him a story....
11-05-02, 07:33 PM twinhearts I think eight is way way too old to be breastfeeding. I stopped when my twins were a year and a half.
11-05-02, 10:12 PM Beth000376 No need for an apology Honilov we are all friends here wink LMAO at kitty yes you should most certainly stop breast feeding your child before they get married! big grin Beth
11-06-02, 12:16 AM esencia this is just totally disgusting. How could a mother be sp cruel? This lady apparently has no morals. The sad part is, is that the little boy probably thinks it is OK because his mommy told him it is.
As Mahal said, 8 years old, this kid hasn't even reached puberty yet so I don't think he is doing it for himself. His mother may even force him to do so, but is saying he asks for it. Or, perhaps he does ask for it but only because his mother said it was normal. HELLO!! This is not normal.
Somebody oughta knock her upside the head and get some sense flowing back into her brain.
It's scarry, and it's sad, and it's just plain WRONG frown . If she is breast feeding her 8 year old son, it makes you wonder what else she is making him do... mad
11-07-02, 02:46 PM kitty1182 this sounds pretty sick to me.... verysick!!!! eek
11-15-02, 08:03 AM samantha Well, this not only sounds sick it is sick...geeze eight years old! When is he planning on stopping? When he gets his drivers license? The mother needs help badly and now Im sure the child does too.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,
the more you breast feed the more milk is produced i think there nothing wrong with it my sister was breast fed til she was 5 and i know someone who was breast fed til his mother died when he was 18
If the child is old enough to walk up to the mother and ask, then the child is too old for nursing.
Can I ask on what basis you form your opinion? It is not uncommon for children to be able to walk and talk before a year of age. Most infants are able to communicate their needs through means, other than language, before that time.
Few children walk reliably before a year and when I said "ask" I meant in actual, verbalised words. I was referring to BOTH factors being established- walking AND talking. I firmly believe that weaning a child too late does as much damage to emotional and social development as doing so too early and it's well established that suckling too long, be it on a breast or a bottle, can cause malformation of developing tooth and jaw structure.
Posts: 2257 | Location: Western United States | Registered: 06-03-02
I firmly believe that weaning a child too late does as much damage to emotional and social development as doing so too early and it's well established that suckling too long, be it on a breast or a bottle, can cause malformation of developing tooth and jaw structure.
I'm sure it does. And some of the examples here seem, to me, to be ridiculous. However, as I said, there are many children that can walk and talk quite competently before a year, and as a mother, I can attest to that. On what medical evidence do you base your opinion, that a child should NOT be breastfed, once they can walk up to a parent and ask to be fed?
Depends whether you allow breast-feeding in public places , such as restaurants, over there. Imagine the looks! Especially if the child is 18, not just 8
Fred, Eighteen seems extreme! They have recently started showing the comedy,"Little Britain" over here, and the post reminded me of two particular characters from that show. I don't even want to begin to describe it.
The World Health Organization suggest that children be exclusively breast fed from birth to 4-6 months. Then, from 6 months to 2 years, the child should be fed primarily breast milk while introducing and gradually increasing solid foods. The article stresses that complimentary feeding too soon or too late are both undesirable.
Stopping breastfeeding is called weaning. It is up to you and your baby to decide when the time is right. The World Health Organization recommends that all children be exclusively breastfed for six months, then gradually introduced to appropriate family foods after six months while continuing to breastfeed for two years or beyond.
Some babies decrease the number of breastfeeds as they begin to be able to digest solid food. The first foods are really tastes and not much is digested or able to be used by the baby. It is often not until nine to 12 months or later that babies are able to actually ingest (swallow) and use the solid foods that they eat.
Breast milk in the first year Breast milk contains all the nourishment needed to promote normal healthy growth and development in babies in their first six months of life and remains the most important food during their first year. Babies weaned from breast milk prior to their first birthday will need to be given artificial baby milk. Please consult your Maternal and Child Health Nurse for further information on this.
Infant formulas are generally not necessary after the first 12 months, as the infant should be then receiving a large range of family foods including dairy products.
Breastfeeding benefits Breastfeeding even for a short time is beneficial. In the first few days after your baby’s birth, your breasts produce colostrum. This rich substance contains vital ingredients including immunoglobulin or cells that help build your baby’s immune system. There is ample evidence that babies who are breastfed for the first six months of life do not suffer from as many (or as severe) episodes of common childhood illnesses. These include gastroenteritis, respiratory illnesses and middle ear infections.
Stopping early Sometimes weaning needs to happen earlier or more quickly than planned. It is normal for a mother to feel sad when she weans, especially if it is earlier than expected. Sometimes mothers feel that they have no choice but to wean – however, most breastfeeding difficulties can be overcome with help. An Australian Breastfeeding Association counsellor, lactation consultant or child health nurse can offer you information and support.
Returning to the paid workforce need not mean having to wean. Many women combine breastfeeding with part or full-time work, study and other commitments.
Take your time Depending on your baby’s age and need for sucking, you can wean either onto a cup or bottle. If you decide on a bottle, eventually the baby will need to be weaned from that. Start with the breastfeed of the day your baby seems least interested in. Then cut out another breastfeed every few days or even each week, depending on your comfort and your baby’s willingness to cooperate.
The concentration of antibodies to bacterial and viral diseases is increased as weaning progresses and milk supply reduces. This ensures that your baby is protected as they are being introduced to new foods and exploring new surroundings. Slowly reducing the number of breastfeeds protects your baby during the weaning period. Remember to give your baby plenty of cuddles during the weaning process so that you and your baby still have plenty of close time together.
Weaning your baby slowly will also help you avoid problems such as mastitis. If you need to wean your baby rapidly, talk to a health care professional or a breastfeeding counsellor about caring for your breasts.
When to introduce solid foods Breast milk or artificial baby milk should be your baby’s main source of nutrition for around the first year of life. Health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months, with a gradual introduction of appropriate family foods in the second six months and ongoing breastfeeding for two years or beyond.
Babies indicate they are ready to start solids with signs that include:
* Showing interest when others are eating * Making gestures that seem to say ‘feed me too’ * Disappearance of the tongue-thrust reflex (which causes them to push out any food put in their mouth) * Ability to hold their head up and sit without support.
Most of the sites I read supported the above. I am not going to try to relate the ability to walk and talk to the ability swallow solid food and reach for (and grasp) solid food (This is also regarded as an indication of readiness for solid foods.). Certainly some babies walk at an early age, certainly some talk at an early age. It seems to be the general belief that somewhere around age 2 is the time to stop breast feeding, although there are many who disagree, and each child grows at his own rate.
Posts: 17570 | Location: Lincoln Place, Granite City, IL, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
Originally posted by dance girl: Fred, Eighteen seems extreme!
dg it all depends on the drinking age.The law in England makes it clear that we should always stop breast feeding children by their fifth birthday. That's when they are old enough to go on to solid drinking,five being the lowest age at which a child may be given booze at home.Makes sense: why else would the permitted age be five?
That's all very well, Fred, but what about in pubs? What's the legal drinking age there, these days? I read somewhere that nursing mothers used to be encouraged drink Guinness for the iron. I guess that covers the family lunch at the Red Lion.
Originally posted by dance girl: That's all very well, Fred, but what about in pubs? What's the legal drinking age there, these days? I read somewhere that nursing mothers used to be encouraged drink Guinness for the iron. I guess that covers the family lunch at the Red Lion.
Yes, my own aunt was 'prescribed' Guinness when pregnant and when nursing. That was the way in the 1950s.(May explain a lot about the cousins ). She was to take two pints, I think, a day.
It was, probably still is [our licensing law has been updated: I haven't found any change to this], the law that a child of eight could be given alcohol by an adult provided that the drink was incidental to a table meal in a restaurant or the restaurant section of a pub. Nobody under 18 could be served at the bar.The updated licensing law allows a person of 16 to order drinks with a meal but the age limit is still 18 at a bar.
Children of any age are allowed into a pub if the pub holds a certificate permitting that.Such a pub has a defined 'family area' in which they may be with an accompanying adult. The area is open until 9pm.
). She was to take two pints, I think, a day.
