Breastfeeding Older Children (maternity, custody, legally, divorce)

[Taboo2]

Originally Posted by beanandpumpkin

Yeah... if you'd actually read what I wrote and did not stop at the first sentence, you'd see that my point was that EVEN THOUGH I've seen lots and lots of women nurse, fairly up close, I've only seen ONE areola that was not my own. Since I, a friend of these women, have never seen their nipples, and I've been at very close range while they were breastfeeding their children, I find it rather unbelievable that people are claiming that they see the "embarrassing parts" of strangers' breasts all the time when out and about.

Yeah i read it. I just didn't feel like quoting it. I quoted what was relevant to what i was replying to.

And yes i find it hard to believe that boobs are a flying out there in public like people say they are. I just have never seen anything i find unneccesary.

[cr1039]

I dont think, in my opinion, it is about nipple or sexiness at all.

It is just a very personal, vulnerable position to see a stranger in.

I have seen women nurse very openly - granted no nipple - but shirt up, bra over, holding her breast to her baby's mouth - which is fine in privacy.

However, to the general public, it is an uncomfortable position to see someone in.

Especially if I am out for pleasure, at say a restaurant.

All I expect is a bit of discretion and tact.

It is kind of like make up - the trick is to look like you are not wearing a ton.

As with breastfeeding - the trick is to look like you are perhaps just embracing your baby close - instead of making very obvious movements with your body - putting the breast in and out of a top.

But again, from a young woman who does not have any experience in this per say.

[yodi]

Originally Posted by Peach_Fla

I'm amazed .....I work in a welfare office....Ladies....there are laws out there about how old a child can be....If you are nursing a child in public past the age of 2...an onlooker can pick up the cell phone and turn you in now -a-days....It's based on the act of a child tolerating solid foods...and common sense and public behavior.What you choose to do in your home is one thing.....But if the word gets out at the school your child is attending......you can be reported for abuse.You know, there's mental abuse as well as physical....and yes I'm a mother who breast fed...but for a very short time.AS I felt some was better than none at all.

There are no such laws. It is NOT abuse!!!!! Please see the following statements from the WHO, AAP, AAFP and the Surgeon General on breastfeeding.

kellymom.com :: Extended Breastfeeding Fact Sheet

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... 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." (AAP 2005)
The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that breastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that "Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired." They also note that "If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2001) A US Surgeon General has stated that it is a lucky baby who continues to nurse until age two. (Novello 1990)
The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond (WHO 1992, WHO 2002).
Scientific research by Katherine A. Dettwyler, PhD shows that 2.5 to 7.0 years of nursing is what our children have been designed to expect (Dettwyler 1995).

[miasmommy]

Originally Posted by Peach_Fla

I'm amazed .....I work in a welfare office....Ladies....there are laws out there about how old a child can be....If you are nursing a child in public past the age of 2...an onlooker can pick up the cell phone and turn you in now -a-days....It's based on the act of a child tolerating solid foods...and common sense and public behavior.What you choose to do in your home is one thing.....But if the word gets out at the school your child is attending......you can be reported for abuse.You know, there's mental abuse as well as physical....and yes I'm a mother who breast fed...but for a very short time.AS I felt some was better than none at all.

Wow wow wow wow. I have NEVER heard something so wrong in my life. I hope you NEVER tell someone that in your office! There are NO such laws! That is the craziest thing I have EVER heard.

I do recall I was at the store (Burlington) and i mentioned I would be using the dressing room(cleaner than a bathroom) to nurse my baby. She told me it was against the law.

I laughed at the lady and her ignorance. That is all you can do. Laugh it off and continue the beautiful job those who are nursing are doing as mothers.

[miasmommy]

Originally Posted by yodi

There are no such laws. It is NOT abuse!!!!! Please see the following statements from the WHO, AAP, AAFP and the Surgeon General on breastfeeding.

kellymom.com :: Extended Breastfeeding Fact Sheet

Thank you thank you thank you.

Actually, I think that your post is the perfect way to END this thread.

Anyone who can not see the obvious and only true answer above can keep going, but it's useless.

[gtrgrl]

Years ago a woman came into the office. A hippie straight out of the 60's in the 1980's. She brought her son with her - he appeared to be four or five. While the mother conducted business that kid went nuts all over the office; climbing on desks, picking up and playing with objects on desks, running and yelling. I suppose she thought it was my job as receptionist to entertain her son.

Receptionists, secretaries and general admin support are not baby sitters. Please do not be confused. Control your own kid when you take it in public and make sure it keeps quiet and sits down - my parents made sure I did it - you make sure sure yours does it. Don't mistake people's politeness as honesty. It's our job to remark about how cute the kid is and how cute his annoying antics are when in reality we just wish you hadn't brought it. It's a part of diplomacy and charm that attracts and keeps customers. That's business. Far too many people take advantage of it and don't even realize it because they only think of themselves.

Anyway this kid got hungry and right in front of God and everybody he starts grabbing for his mom's boob and whined that he was hungry. That woman had no sense of embarrassment; obviously no sense of discipline. As she was speaking with a representative the kid just kept trying to grab for it and whining. Everyone was relieved when she left.

I bet that kid is a junkie and in jail today. Parents would rather be a friend and do nothing to quell the kid's creativity and freedom. That's why punk gangs have been on the prowl in greater numbers since the second big baby boom that occurred in the 80's.

[yodi]

Originally Posted by gtrgrl

Years ago a woman came into the office. A hippie straight out of the 60's in the 1980's. She brought her son with her - he appeared to be four or five. While the mother conducted business that kid went nuts all over the office; climbing on desks, picking up and playing with objects on desks, running and yelling. I suppose she thought it was my job as receptionist to entertain her son.

Receptionists, secretaries and general admin support are not baby sitters. Please do not be confused. Control your own kid when you take it in public and make sure it keeps quiet and sits down - my parents made sure I did it - you make sure sure yours does it. Don't mistake people's politeness as honesty. It's our job to remark about how cute the kid is and how cute his annoying antics are when in reality we just wish you hadn't brought it. It's a part of diplomacy and charm that attracts and keeps customers. That's business. Far too many people take advantage of it and don't even realize it because they only think of themselves.

Anyway this kid got hungry and right in front of God and everybody he starts grabbing for his mom's boob and whined that he was hungry. That woman had no sense of embarrassment; obviously no sense of discipline. As she was speaking with a representative the kid just kept trying to grab for it and whining. Everyone was relieved when she left.

I bet that kid is a junkie and in jail today. Parents would rather be a friend and do nothing to quell the kid's creativity and freedom. That's why punk gangs have been on the prowl in greater numbers since the second big baby boom that occurred in the 80's.

I have seen lots of bad behavior from kids out in public. I"d bet that it has much more to do with a lack of discipline and Mom not teaching manners then it does with breastfeeding.

[gtrgrl]

Originally Posted by yodi

I have seen lots of bad behavior from kids out in public. I"d bet that it has much more to do with a lack of discipline and Mom not teaching manners then it does with breastfeeding.

Of course, but the the child demanding breast feeding was the topper.
The child was four or five as I mentioned. IMO that is too old. Also, the discipline thing - the whole package in fact, was just too crazy for a public place.

[yodi]

Originally Posted by gtrgrl

Of course, but the the child demanding breast feeding was the topper.
The child was four or five as I mentioned. IMO that is too old. Also, the discipline thing - the whole package in fact, was just too crazy for a public place.

Exactly, the mother never taught her child manners which would include among other things, nursing manners. I taught my daughter prior to her second birthday to stop asking if we were not at home. This was partly due to my own discomfort nursing her out in public. I also wanted to set more limits with nursing which is a part of the weaning process. She never asks me unless we are at home and only a few people close to me are even aware that she is still nursing. For what it's worth, I know at least three 4 year olds who are still nursing. They are all smart, funny, well mannered kids. I guess that has much more to do with the fact that their parents also smart, funny well mannered adults then it does with breastfeeding.

[Peach_Fla]

well...forgive me...but there are laws...and they are different in many states...so before you go pullin' out your boobs in public you might want to check out what the laws are....In the state you are in...You might try the welfare/family services hotline.