Posted on 01/02/2009 6:45:46 PM PST by NCjim
Robyn Paul, her husband and their three children look like the classic American family -- until you find out that Tiernan, their kindergartner, is still breast-feeding.
Many people are shocked by the idea of nursing a child who is nearly 6 years old, but Paul remains determined to do what she says is best for her child.
"In this culture, breasts are viewed as sexual," Paul said. "We use breasts to sell everything from beer to motorcycles, then a toddler is in mom's arms nursing for what they're supposed to be used for and everybody freaks out."
...
Paul said she usually breast-feeds Tiernan at home when he needs comforting.
"They're running around and playing," she said. "Once they get beyond 3 years old they're not nursing but a couple of times a day."
Although some might consider a pacifier a more socially acceptable way to comfort their child, Paul said she would prefer that her child receive comfort at her breast.
When Tiernan needs comforting, he will ask his mother for "nummies," his word for breast-feeding, Paul said. "We've had conversations about what it tastes like and he says it's very sweet," like vanilla ice cream, Paul said.
She is happy with the choice she made, she said, but she would never force it on somebody else.
"All I'm trying to do is let people know that it does happen, that it is perfectly normal," she said.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Seems very weird to me but not sure why it’s the business of anybody but the family.
I would tend to agree with you up to the point where she decided to broadcast it nationwide via ABC news.
No stache with those cute, handy, containers!
Six years! I couldn’t even make it three months.
Reminds me of that girl on her first trip to the Gynecologist...
How long can she produce milk?
Velcro shoes don't make a stinking mess in the booth next to mine at the restaurant...
As long as there is someone nursing/pumping.. it’s supply and demand.
She WANTS public approval...
LOL
Put it on tap Mom.
Breast milk with a frothy header or she could freeze it for when he hits adult hood and give it to him for his birthday with that frappacino maker.
I observed woman in a 3rd world country (hut living) and they clearly weaned at an age of what I believe most American woman also wean at.
I think it’s unwise and just plain stupid to breastfeed a 6 year old in modern Western society. At some point mom (and it’s mom, not the kid, who is keeping this thing going) is going to have to stop.
Hopefully, peer pressure will cause the boy to give this up, and I have a feeling it’s mom’s feelings who are going to be hurt.
There’s something weird about this phenomenon, especially since I don’t think I’ve ever heard about a mom breastfeeding her 6 year old daughter........
I think they used to call someone who breast-fed too long a leche-er. But I think they have shortened that word since. Made it more palate able, but not more palatable...
I've always been amazed that anyone ever started drinking cows milk in the first place. How would you like to be the first one to say, "I'm gonna squeeze me one of them critters, and drink whatever comes out!" And did they learn to pick the cows over the bulls by trial and error?
I also long wondered about the first person to ever eat a lobster or a crab...
Mark
LOL And if Mom is French is it French Vanilla?
The average is more than 4 years, worldwide. Western societies are the abnormal examples. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that “there is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychological or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer.”
Pet peeves?
My son learned to tell time big/little hand.
Refused to go digital.
now 30yrs later....
I think they distinguished between cows and bulls the same way they distinguished between men and women. I mean, DUH!
Always wondered where Braille came from.
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