To the woman breastfeefing her 4 year old at the table at Wild Tomato...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree about nursing in public but I find it astounding that people actually think that women have ISSUES or EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS if they nurse toddlers in the privacy of their own homes. Really? How does it bother you exactly?

It seems like a kind of emotionally creepy to me. The mother is taking physical pleasure from an activity that keeps a child at the baby level. It encourages dependence. You need to learn to let that kid go.

Do what you're gong to do, but I judge you for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree about nursing in public but I find it astounding that people actually think that women have ISSUES or EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS if they nurse toddlers in the privacy of their own homes. Really? How does it bother you exactly?

It seems like a kind of emotionally creepy to me. The mother is taking physical pleasure from an activity that keeps a child at the baby level. It encourages dependence. You need to learn to let that kid go.

Do what you're gong to do, but I judge you for it.

The first sentence should say "It seems emotionally creepy to me."

[Anonymous]

Wait, are you actually saying you think women get off on nursing their toddlers? Have you ever nursed a child? It's about the most unsexual, unexciting activity ever. Give me a break.

[Anonymous]

People who think breastfeeding is sensual and sexually pleasurable in any way creep me out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, are you actually saying you think women get off on nursing their toddlers? Have you ever nursed a child? It's about the most unsexual, unexciting activity ever. Give me a break.

There is no other reason to do it. The rest of the excuses and explanations are pure bull. Yes, you are being judged as someone with issues.

[Anonymous]

No other reason? Wow, you're more narrow minded than I thought.

[Anonymous]

So what is the cut off age to breast feed in public? Could I really breast feed my 13 year old in public? Obviously I wouldn't as I never breast fed him as a child but just saying, could I?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People who think breastfeeding is sensual and sexually pleasurable in any way creep me out.

My four year old son, who self-weaned at 6 months, gets food from the refrigerator, dresses himself as best as he can, articulates his needs, is fully potty trained (day and night), and knows how to use a mouse and trackpad.

Are you saying to me that it's perfectly normal to pull out my breast to feed him - at home or in public?

At this point, it's no longer for the child; it's purely for the mother.

Yes, it is indeed sick and creepy.

[Anonymous]

A FOUR YEAR OLD IS NOT A TODDLER!!

[Anonymous]

All of you judgmental women are going to make great MILs

[Anonymous]

If a child is old enough to order off a menu or fix a sandwich then yes, s/he is too old.

And yes, when I see someone engaging in "extending breast feeding" it screams BAGGAGE. It may be judgmental, but I would truly not be able to be around who did that. Stunting a child's emotional growth and hampering the natural separation process is just this side of abuse in my mind. It is the glorious preamble to helicopter parenting. Somehow in the past 10 years some fringe people have taken the practices of poverty stricken 3rd world countries and turned it around to justify being "needed" by a child. I agree with the PPs who said that it is 100% for the mother's benefit. That makes it sickening.

[Anonymous]

OP Did she have any other kids with her? If not, it might be she is still using nursing as birth control. Either that or her husband is so grossed out at seeing her nurse a 4 year old that they don't have sex.......

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If a child is old enough to order off a menu or fix a sandwich then yes, s/he is too old.

And yes, when I see someone engaging in "extending breast feeding" it screams BAGGAGE. It may be judgmental, but I would truly not be able to be around who did that. Stunting a child's emotional growth and hampering the natural separation process is just this side of abuse in my mind. It is the glorious preamble to helicopter parenting. Somehow in the past 10 years some fringe people have taken the practices of poverty stricken 3rd world countries and turned it around to justify being "needed" by a child. I agree with the PPs who said that it is 100% for the mother's benefit. That makes it sickening.

Lucky for my my two year old cannot order food or fix himself a sandwich. Guess I'm okay by your standards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I nurse my 2.5 yo, but taught him early on that we don't do this outside the home, unless I tell him otherwise (plane rides and napping not at home, so not too often).
I don't see the point of doing it in public?

Just curious, what is the point at all at 2 1/2?

Comfort, health, bonding.

Hate to tell you, momma, but at 2.5, he should be getting his "comfort, health and bonding" from you in a different way. You need to give it up. Why don't you at least admit that it's for you at this point, and not him?

exactly. pretending like this is anything but emotionally harmful to a child (physically probably doesn't matter one way or another) is just naive. mom needs a therapist.

and to the pp who said it's possible the kid was like, 6 months and looked 4 - come on. what are the chances?

You must be joking. Emotionally harmful? I'd like to see one respected literature citation or expert opinion on that. Give me a freaking break!

And to the other PP who asked about girls, I know women who nursed their daughters past two.

It's definitely emotionally harmful to infantilize a child who should be learning independence. It is for the mom, and pretending otherwise isn't fooling anyone.

[Anonymous]

Are you a doctor or scientist? Because the American Academy of Pediatrics disagrees with you, as does the American Academy of Family Physicians.

There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer.