Mother Breast Feeding 6 Year Old

When should a mother stop nursing her child?  Is 6 years old beyond the appropriate age limit? Amanda Hurst in the UK doesn’t see a problem with her 6 year old breast feeding.  As a matter of fact, she’s breast feeding both her 6 year old and her 5 five month old. Amanda said, she nurses both of the children in the morning because it’s cold and she doesn’t want to get up.   I find that to be a rather odd reason for nursing a six year old.  Most people would find that statement to be an indication of laziness. 

 

Furthermore, does it warm up as the day goes on inside her home or does she have to get up eventually and turn up the heat?  If she has to eventually get up to turn up the heat, why doesn’t she do it and feed the child a bowl of cereal, oatmeal or pancakes?  Better yet, why doesn’t she have her husband turn up the heat before he leaves for work.  The house would be warm by the time she gets up with the children.

We all know that breast feeding has been proven to be better for babies, but this post is about a 6 year old.  In addition to still nursing her 6 year old because it’s cold, Amanda said she just couldn’t turn her son away when she tried to wean him at 3 years old.  When her second son, William, was born and she decided to nurse him too.  However, Jonathan wanted to continue as well. It’s rare that she nurses both of them at once because of the difficulty, but yes on occasion she does.

Now Jonathan has a 7 year old girlfriend.  He goes to school, tap dances, swims and attends Beaver Scouts.  He’s your typical 6 year old.  If so, than why in the hell isn’t he drinking milk at the table in the morning?  I never breast feed my daughter.  I developed a relationship with Similac.  But, my daughter turned out just fine.

Additionally, I don’t buy breast feed children are more intelligent.  She’s highly educated.  She graduated with honors from both high school and college.  As a matter of fact, I will be hosting a party for her next month to celebrate her new Masters Degree.  She will be moving on to her Ph.D.   She was quite healthy as well.  Typical colds, ear infections that most kids experience growing up.  Now my grandson was breast feed, and he has had more colds than I care to count.  I don’t knock breastfeeding, I believe it’s a mother’s choice and neither is better or the worst for their decision.

Amanda says, “I do question the decisions I make and wonder whether I’m right or wrong. But it’s parenting, there is no manual, I don’t think there is a “right way”.  I beg to differ on this decision.  From one mother to another, parenting is difficult.  There is no manual, but at times common sense comes into play.  Amanda admits she’s lazy, “I think I’m quite lazy,’ she says. ‘I’d have gone crazy having to sterilize all those bottles. Breast milk is always the right temperature, right consistency and it’s always there, on tap”.

Laziness is not an option in my house.  At 5 months, an infant is still dependent on their mother for nourishment, but a 6 year old is old enough to get nutrients and vitamins from appropriate table foods.  Get with it mom, remove your 6 year old from your breast.  “Lellow”, Jonathan’s made up word for breast milk, is no longer cute.

Do you think it’s appropriate to nurse a 6 year old?  Please leave us a comment, we would love to hear from you.

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Comments

  1. In my opinion, it's a bit too long. A 6 year old boy needs to start to be more independent, not by his moms breast all the time. On the other hand I'm sure he'll grow out of it by the teenage years, lol. It's also every mother's a personal choice, if she feels comfortable with that then it shouldn't concern others. I don't think it's right or wrong to be breastfeeding that long. I personally could never commit for that long.

  2. The National breast feeding association says it is best to nurse til the age of 7 and not everyone can turn up the heat and have food, Breast milk is free and why would you feed your children milk from a cow instead of a human? unless your children are cows

  3. Well if the mother and the "baby" are happy, I don't see why breastfeeding at 6 or 7 or more is a problem. Not for me, but good for them.
    Of course we live in a society that sets certain standards and who doesn't fit within them has to support the consequences.
    For example, if the "baby" gets to 7 or more, still breastfeeding, and his mates start teasing him for that…well he has to make a choice…give up breastmilk
    or be the laughing stock of the village.
    On the other hand, I do believe a person should be allowed to do as he pleases, as long as he doesn't do any harm to others.
    Society should shut-up for a bit, apreciate diversity, learn tolerance and accept that there isn't only one proper way of doing things like raising a child. 
    I stopped breastfeeding my daughter at 6 months old,("too early" other mothers told me) for the silliest reason of all: I felt like a cow. Silly or not, my self esteem was low, I was depressed. I stopped giving my baby breastmilk, I started giving her a happy mummy instead.
    The other mums in my society carried on with their own ways, I've got back into shape and into my pre-baby self before I could get used with my new post baby little identity issue…mooo mooo
    The end.
    And all my respect for other people's ways of life.

  4. Anonymous says

    For anyone that think formula is in anyway just as good as breast milk congratulations you have been brain washed by the formula company's propaganda! How sad! Formula doesn't even come close to the same nutritional benefits of breast milk. As a mother who breast feeds my children self wean when they are ready. I personally would not still be nursing at 6 years old but if this mother and child are happy with it then there is nothing wrong with it. There is certainly no "sexual enjoyment" involved!

  5. Anonymous says

    Chris Mattatall- i breastfeed all three of my children and am still breastfeeding my 3rd at 21 months and wouldnt change it for the world. Personally I believe it is better than formula and could never understand why our society ever thought anything other than mothers milk was best for baby. It is the way it was intended to be hence why we are made that way. I have to disagree about the childhood illness's too because none of my children suffered from earaches and if they did catch the odd cold which might have been once in a blue moon they all recovered within a couple of days. I was bottle fed myself and suffered from horrible ear infections and actually had to have tubes in my ears not once but twice. As far as a 6 yr old nursing though I believe that is a bit extreme. i personally would not feel comfortable with any of my children being that old and suckling on my breasts. Kudos to all the mamas that extend breastfeeding though because as long as the children are eating a balanced diet than extended breastfeeding IS THE BEST THING!!!

  6. ok, so heres what i think. i think it is amazing that she still chooses to give him breast milk, BUT, if she wants to give him the nutrients of the milk, id suggest expressing it and giving it to him into a cup or with a bowl of cereal… 6 years old on the nipple, i think, is just to old for direct contact, definitaly if he already has a girlfriend, i think he will think it is ok to just touch a female in that way if still nursing directly. there needs to be a limit. i have 3 children, 8, 5, and 4 months. i nursed my oldest only a month, never nursed my middle child, and plan on nursing my daughter until she is 1 but no longer than 2. my boys have been both very interested in nursing now that i have had the baby, i let them know that nursing direct is for babies, but allow them (if they want) a cup of they milk…it isnt going to hurt them. so again, im not for it, nor am i against it, im all for breast milk being the best milk, but once a child behind school i think its crazy to have them on you like that.

  7. Anonymous says

    i think this is one of the nastiest things i have read ! 6 years old is FAR too old to have a kid attactched to your breast

  8. For all of you that think formula provides the same nutrients as breastfeeding…your so wrong. Do whatever you want but i think its selfish and lazy to not breastfeed your child.

  9. Concerns about breastfeeding. breastfeeding is important as well as the most healthiest benefit for a baby, however companies make formulas that provides the same nutrients for that same purpose for baby. If any child is hanging on to their mother breast for that long it is not to benefit the child, but to benefit the mothers sexual enjoyment. (TRUTH (Z) )

  10. Not so sure that "I" think it's necessary to breastfeed for "that" long, however to each his own.  I do though believe in extended breastfeeding to go beyond that first year.  Kudos to moms who dare to take it beyond the first 12 months!

  11. I believe everyone has a right to choose when to stop breastfeeding or even whether to breastfeed at all. But I do not feel a child should be doing it at 6 years old AT ALL. That is gross!  I think nursing until they are old enough to walk is the longest one should nurse. Again, just my opinion!

  12. He's your typical 6 year old.  If so, than why in the hell isn't he drinking milk at the table in the morning

    I know how crazy that he still has milk of his own species when he could be having the milk from a cow. 

    Darn that mother for ignoring social norms and going with what she thinks.  I too have nothing against breastfeeding, as long as it fits with what society deems appropriate of course.

    http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detwean.html

    • Anonymous says

      Anyone who has nursed (especially a toddler) would never say its sexual! I now see boobs for what they are…food! I don't think I'll ever see boobs as being sexual ever again. They are doing what nature/god intended.