Its a slightly touchy subject, but I had mentioned in another thread that an acquaintance of mine was telling me that they were breast-fed by their mother till the age of 10. I found it very alarming as I thought the cut-off age is usually 2 and 1/2. However I have heard of children being fed as such till age 5 even. Age ten was just…surprising. Is this common? Is this appropriate?
The person who told me this told me in such a non-chalant manner, as if it was absoluately normal. I just found it peculiar as its the first time I had heard of such a thing. Any thoughts? I dont mean to gross everyone out I am just wondering if I am the only one who would be surprised at such a thing. Thanks.
This can be moved if its more appropriate elsewhere.
The medically recommended age for breast feding is two years, and it is also the teaching of Islam. Its really very rare for a woman to lactate for more than 2.5 to 3 yrs. The person whom u r referring might be feeding from some other lady other than his mother for the reason of becoming MEHRUM ( but i am not sure wether this can happen after the age of 2.5 yrs).
I didn't even think it was biologically possible to breastfeed for ten years, unless the mother had other young children and so would be producing milk anyway. But still, ten years does seem like a very long time to want to breastfeed a child not to mention how inconvenient it must be.
I think this is a subject that is closely linked to culture and tradition. Different cultures have different beliefs about breastfeeding.
Today, many people feel that breastfeeding should stop at about one year, and even that is considered a lot. That’s a reflection of our society and culture, not of our children’s needs, which are the same as they were the last century when breastfeeding was practiced for longer periods. But somehow even breastfeeding is being considered at times as sexually and psycologically harmful. All this in a world where breasts are used to sell anything from cars to beer.
It’s hard to find a rule that applies to all women and children other than the fact that sooner or later all babies stop nursing. We have examples all along the spectrum. There are known health penalties for a child who is not breastfed, not so for a child who is breastfed for a long time.
Muslims generally breastfeed traditionally upto about 2 - 2 1/2 yrs but of course that has changed over the last generation with the availablity of bottles and formula and the problems created in getting breastfeeding off to a good start due to many modern medical practices and advertising from formula companies. It seems to be a rule that is easily dispensed with!
Is it possible to breastfeed beyond 2-3 yrs? I think so, because there are cultures where it is done (traditionally eskimoes for example breastfed well beyond infancy). I know women who have done it. They are perfectly normal women and have perfectly healthy children, in every way.
Women’s lactation works in different ways than cows and can usually maintain milk production for quite a few years. So yes, breastfeeding even 4-5 years without a new pregnancy is possible. Beyond that I don’t know but I wouldn’t be surprised if it were possible.
Actually I think that breastfeeding for so many years is not a new thing, although it is extremely rare today. And when something rare happens it “makes the news”, so to say.
but there are many reports in the anthopological literature of extended length of breastfeeding (not on the internet, however) in the past in some other cultures.
I think it is important to remember however that the nature of breastfeeding itself changes in such cases; solid foods are introduced by about 6-9 months and gradually the contribution of breastmilk to the child’s nutrition diminishes. After a certain point it is really minimal (both frequency and duration) and I would say merely symbolic.
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*Originally posted by Femme Fatale: *
10 years is quite disgusting actually.
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When he first told me that, I will tell you that I thought certain things in my head, but I dismissed them. He made it out like it was so natural, as if the world does it, therefore I didnt think too much about it.
To answer the question, the mother had a younger child as well.
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*Originally posted by funguy: *
10 years of milk supply in a mother has to be some guiness world record.
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FG you would be surprised but I knew this woman who claimed that she was still lactating even though her son was then around 21 yrs old and she had no kids after that. Probably (hopefully) a rare case.