What does your nursing toddler call your boobs?

[Anonymous]

So, the breastfed kids are the smartest?

Statistically, yes.

Argh. I am a big propoent of breastfeeding, and feel is has many benefits, but it just isn't true that it makes babies smarter. In the largest study ever to address the issue, researchers found a positive impact for breastfeeding on intelligence only when other potential contributors -- such as the mother's IQ and the parents' educational and economic status -- were not taken into account. When these variables were considered, breastfeeding was found to have little impact on a child's IQ.

There are many wonderful and valid reasons to breastfeed, but making genius babies isn't one of them.

[Anonymous]

I think everyone knows it's not the societal norm to nurse beyond 18-24 months. There is no real health or nutritional benefit to it, in this day and age, and in this already-developed country. We are not living in Haiti! End of story.

Like anything else, there are plenty of other behaviors that are outside of this norm, too, and we call these "deviant" behaviors. It doesn't matter if it's for whatever well intentioned reason. These moms need to admit that their behavior is deviant, whether they want to classify it as such or not. What goes on in their home is no one else's business, fine.

These extended nursers can try to find all the "statistics" they want, pointing to WHO studies on impoverished nations (which is laughable, BTW). But it all comes down to their own psychological need to continue to breastfeed and nurture and not allow their child to grow up and communicate his or her needs. A 2-3 year old is old enough to be calmed or settled with other methods of communication, e.g., using words, feelings, etc., and not simply by sticking a breast in his/her mouth. So, yes, I agree with the posters who say it's a somewhat lazy approach by Mom because it's an easy way out.

Get defensive all you want, extended nursers, but what you're doing is deviant, and makes others uncomfortable. Whether it's right for you, is up to you, but stop trying to wear it like a badge of courage or something, when it could also be viewed as an emotional crutch! Most of the kids I know and went to school with in my age group were not BF at all, and they are Ivy League grads with multiple professional degrees.

Even pop culture jokes about extended nursing because it IS uncomfortable to see a 3 year old standing and suckling....I mean, the kid cannot even fit on your lap past a certain point!

[Anonymous]

Does anyone still care about the original Q in the title of the thread? Well, if so, we called the process of breastfeeding and pretty much everything associated with it 'nuk'. Pronounced like "nook". I think because it's the sound she made when eating, as in 'nuk nuk nuk nuk.'

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

So, the breastfed kids are the smartest?

Statistically, yes.

Argh. I am a big propoent of breastfeeding, and feel is has many benefits, but it just isn't true that it makes babies smarter. In the largest study ever to address the issue, researchers found a positive impact for breastfeeding on intelligence only when other potential contributors -- such as the mother's IQ and the parents' educational and economic status -- were not taken into account. When these variables were considered, breastfeeding was found to have little impact on a child's IQ.

There are many wonderful and valid reasons to breastfeed, but making genius babies isn't one of them.

so the smart moms with smart kids are doing it? can't be all that bad...or "deviant"...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone knows it's not the societal norm to nurse beyond 18-24 months. There is no real health or nutritional benefit to it, in this day and age, and in this already-developed country. We are not living in Haiti! End of story.

Like anything else, there are plenty of other behaviors that are outside of this norm, too, and we call these "deviant" behaviors. It doesn't matter if it's for whatever well intentioned reason. These moms need to admit that their behavior is deviant, whether they want to classify it as such or not. What goes on in their home is no one else's business, fine.

These extended nursers can try to find all the "statistics" they want, pointing to WHO studies on impoverished nations (which is laughable, BTW). But it all comes down to their own psychological need to continue to breastfeed and nurture and not allow their child to grow up and communicate his or her needs. A 2-3 year old is old enough to be calmed or settled with other methods of communication, e.g., using words, feelings, etc., and not simply by sticking a breast in his/her mouth. So, yes, I agree with the posters who say it's a somewhat lazy approach by Mom because it's an easy way out.

Get defensive all you want, extended nursers, but what you're doing is deviant, and makes others uncomfortable. Whether it's right for you, is up to you, but stop trying to wear it like a badge of courage or something, when it could also be viewed as an emotional crutch! Most of the kids I know and went to school with in my age group were not BF at all, and they are Ivy League grads with multiple professional degrees.

Even pop culture jokes about extended nursing because it IS uncomfortable to see a 3 year old standing and suckling....I mean, the kid cannot even fit on your lap past a certain point!

LMAO, aren't you perfect? There is no "end of story." There are LOTS of studies about the benefits of extended BFing (see previous cites), and the WHO recommendations cover developed countries as well as developing ones. Citing Haiti is irrelevant.

End of story.

[Anonymous]

You provide no evidence for any of your "points".

What evidence do you have that mothers who breastfeed older babies and toddlers are using it as an "emotional crutch"? What evidence do you have that mothers who continue to breastfeed past a year are doing it for their own psychological need? What evidence do you have that extended breastfeeding has any negative impact on either children or mothers?

Have you talked to any mothers who do this about their feelings about why they do what they do? Have you read any research studies on this topic? It seems like you are very misinformed and ignorant.

There are lots of ways people kids can be soothed -- just because they can talk, does that mean we stop hugging them or being physically close to them?

I feel sorry for you that you feel the need to be so judgmental of other women who are just doing what works for them and their babies. No one I know who breastfeeds their older baby or toddler flaunts it or uses it as a "badge of courage" whatever the hell that means. You seem to be attacking these mothers to feel better about yourself. Shame on you.

Anonymous wrote:I think everyone knows it's not the societal norm to nurse beyond 18-24 months. There is no real health or nutritional benefit to it, in this day and age, and in this already-developed country. We are not living in Haiti! End of story.

Like anything else, there are plenty of other behaviors that are outside of this norm, too, and we call these "deviant" behaviors. It doesn't matter if it's for whatever well intentioned reason. These moms need to admit that their behavior is deviant, whether they want to classify it as such or not. What goes on in their home is no one else's business, fine.

These extended nursers can try to find all the "statistics" they want, pointing to WHO studies on impoverished nations (which is laughable, BTW). But it all comes down to their own psychological need to continue to breastfeed and nurture and not allow their child to grow up and communicate his or her needs. A 2-3 year old is old enough to be calmed or settled with other methods of communication, e.g., using words, feelings, etc., and not simply by sticking a breast in his/her mouth. So, yes, I agree with the posters who say it's a somewhat lazy approach by Mom because it's an easy way out.

Get defensive all you want, extended nursers, but what you're doing is deviant, and makes others uncomfortable. Whether it's right for you, is up to you, but stop trying to wear it like a badge of courage or something, when it could also be viewed as an emotional crutch! Most of the kids I know and went to school with in my age group were not BF at all, and they are Ivy League grads with multiple professional degrees.

Even pop culture jokes about extended nursing because it IS uncomfortable to see a 3 year old standing and suckling....I mean, the kid cannot even fit on your lap past a certain point!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Get defensive all you want, extended nursers, but what you're doing is deviant, and makes others uncomfortable. Whether it's right for you, is up to you, but stop trying to wear it like a badge of courage or something, when it could also be viewed as an emotional crutch! Most of the kids I know and went to school with in my age group were not BF at all, and they are Ivy League grads with multiple professional degrees.!

Oh my gosh....this whole post smacks of your insecurity. I wanted to quote it all but it was too freakin long. How dare you accuse a mother of being deviant for nursing a toddler. I know that you don't care in the least so I won't make an effort to actually educate you on the topic but for others that care or find the topic of interest (in a positive way) there is tons of scienced backed information on the benefits (see links on the other thread, "Breastfeed a toddler...why on earth?). I'm not saying it's for everyone but for those who choose it it certaily benefits the child and mother.

You know that length of nursing has a direct statistical correlation on a lower incidence of breast, endometrial, & ovarian cancer? Why.... because that's what our bodies are designed for and it's good for us too!

Most of the people defending this choice aren't saying anything negative about others choices. The sad thing is that attidutes like this ultimately hurt children. I'm sure there are quite a few mothers who stopped nursing prematurely or choose not too at all because of this general attitude and those babies lost out.

It's fine if you don't want to do it but why shame people and try to spread this terrible point of view?

[Anonymous]

hmmm

So how to do explain my peers - who were mainly fed formula from a can - who are doctors, lawyers, creative techies, successful business owners, financial advisers, PhD college professors - and the list goes on and on???????

anomalies?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, the breastfed kids are the smartest?

Statistically, yes.

[Anonymous]

Sure - point it out for the 500th time . . .

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe I am entering this debate because it is just stupid (I don't give a rat's %&*$ if you think my nursing my 13 month-old is disgusting), but I have to correct a misconception. It simply is not true that there is no nutritional value to nursing a toddler beyond a year. Ladies who find nursing a toddler gross: the reason you give whole (cow's) milk is because toddlers need sufficient fats and proteins for brain growth and development. Because you are not nursing, you need a substitute. Breastmilk has lots of fat and proteins for the toddler. Sure, you don't have to breast feed to ensure your toddler gets his nutritional needs met, but by the same token, you don't "need" to when they are infants either (because there is formula). (I'm not saying cow's milk or dairy is bad or evil - I give it to my son - but I also think you should realize why it is recommended you give cow's milk when you wean.)

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html

May I also point out that the AAP recommends breastfeeding for AT LEAST one year?

[Anonymous]

Well, it just goes to show you what the mother's priorities were. . . .

really - To see a husband have to go to THAT extreme is pathetic.

Anonymous wrote:A good friend BF'd her child till she was 3 and her husband practically pried them apart. DD is 20 now, a pre med student at an ivy league school. She has lots of friends, she's an athlete, and an editor of the school paper.

She called her mother's breasts "Nursie nursies."

Back off ladies. Who cares?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:hmmm

So how to do explain my peers - who were mainly fed formula from a can - who are doctors, lawyers, creative techies, successful business owners, financial advisers, PhD college professors - and the list goes on and on???????

anomalies?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, the breastfed kids are the smartest?

Statistically, yes.

Imagine what they could have done if breastfed. We'd probably have the cure to cancer already.

Just kidding. But I don't get your point. I think the difference (if there is one) would be a few IQ points - certainly not a big enough disadvantage to prevent someone from going into a certain profession or being successful. Not to mention that there are certainly quite a lot of successful people who aren't the brightest bulb on the tree.

[Anonymous]

i don't think it honestly matters if breastfeed kids are smarter or better in any other way. i was formula fed and i think i turned out okay. i have breastfed my two girls because evidence seemed to suggest it was beneficial, and luckily i got the support i needed to do it and everything worked out. what matters to me is individual mothers being able to make the choices best for themselves and their babies, free of judgment and harassment, especially from other mothers! mothers who use formula should not be berated for that choice, nor should mothers who are breastfeeding babies or toddlers.

what a waste of time all of us sitting around attacking each other's choices! there's no right way to do things, only what's right for each person.

[Anonymous]

Who knew that this thread would get so heated!!! I think that breast feeding is awesome...but there comes a point in time when breast feeding is no longer nurtritionally neccessary. I worked at a daycare where one of the children whose mother would nurse her when she picked her up at the end of the day. She would just sit down on the floor and her daughter would lay her head on her mom's lap and nurse. The little girl was 4 years old! Go ahead...flame on. That is much too old for a child to nurse if there are other food sources available. This child ate solid food and drank milk from cups, so why is there a need to nurse at that age?

Sometimes moms need to find other ways to bond with their children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who knew that this thread would get so heated!!! I think that breast feeding is awesome...but there comes a point in time when breast feeding is no longer nurtritionally neccessary. I worked at a daycare where one of the children whose mother would nurse her when she picked her up at the end of the day. She would just sit down on the floor and her daughter would lay her head on her mom's lap and nurse. The little girl was 4 years old! Go ahead...flame on. That is much too old for a child to nurse if there are other food sources available. This child ate solid food and drank milk from cups, so why is there a need to nurse at that age?

Sometimes moms need to find other ways to bond with their children.

she was 4 years old and NOT in a preschool already?!? she has worse problems than nursing...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who knew that this thread would get so heated!!! I think that breast feeding is awesome...but there comes a point in time when breast feeding is no longer nurtritionally neccessary. I worked at a daycare where one of the children whose mother would nurse her when she picked her up at the end of the day. She would just sit down on the floor and her daughter would lay her head on her mom's lap and nurse. The little girl was 4 years old! Go ahead...flame on. That is much too old for a child to nurse if there are other food sources available. This child ate solid food and drank milk from cups, so why is there a need to nurse at that age?

Sometimes moms need to find other ways to bond with their children.

she was 4 years old and NOT in a preschool already?!? she has worse problems than nursing...

Actually, the daycare was one that had a pre-school program and a head start program (which it lost not long after starting it) as well as daycare for other age groups. The nursing 4 year old was in the pre-kindergarten class.