Older children and breastfeeding

[Sarahdawn1990]

Hi everyone. I have 2 questions. I posted this in the breastfeeding forum too but since it doesn't get a lot of traffic, i thought id try here too. Ok so for question one, I am exclusively pumping and on top of feeding my youngest daughter, i have about 2000 oz in the freezer. I also have a 3.5 year old daughter who i stopped breastfeeding (also only pumped) at 1 year. She's very interested in my milk and im wondering if it would hurt to give her a little every day since i make almost triple what my youngest eats. She has had it before and loved it. Have any of you mama's given breastmilk to your older children? Secondly, when im put pumping, i don't try to hide it from my oldest. I don't flaunt it of course but she's asked me what im doing before and ill just tell her im making milk for her baby sister. She's very aware that milk comes from boobs and that's how babies eat. Do you believe that is inappropriate for a 3.5 year old to know? She doesn't talk about it in public or anything, just when she occasionally asks, i tell her. Any suggestions?

[kennimae]

Human milk is better than cows milk at any age in my opinion. It has so many benefits. I was joking with my dad about how I am going to mix breastmilk with his tea and in his milk because it has cancer fighting cells in it (he has been diagnosed since I was in high school and I am 21 now). I dont see any harm in it at all.

I would also rather have my daughter know what breasts are used for now and have her know that its normal. People raise heir children how they want to but it really gets on my nerves when someone says to go do it somewhere else or cover up because I shouldnt have to explain to my kids how your baby eats. Therefore I hink it is acceptable for a 3.5 year old to know and I dont think it causes any harm to know.

[Sarahdawn1990]

^^^ Thank you! I plan on asking her pediatrician but her appt isn't for another couple months so thought id try here. I googled it but got mixed answers. Lol. And you are very right! I don't really care what others think, i just find it rude but it doesn't stop me :)

[Treksy]

I asked my sons dr about breastmilk for older kids. He said at that point its not exactly beneficial or harmful. But lots of moms do it!
I breastfed right infront of my daughter. She was the same age. She would often "breastfeed" her baby dolls then. Lol Not a bad practice. It means she's more likely to breastfeed when she has kids because it'll be so natural to her! Nothing about breastfeeding is innapropriate. If others can't detatch sexual association with breasts for the sake of feeding a baby and they judge you for it... consider the source and move on. Head held high!

[Sarahdawn1990]

@YoungLady yes! Thank you so much! My family kind of looked at me weird when i mentioned giving the excess to my 3 year old but those were my thoughts exactly! I am also glad to hear your open with your daughter as well, i was a tad worried it may be inappropriate at her age but i want her to grow up knowing that breastfeeding is a normal thing because i get rude comments all the time. Clearly done people did not grow up with it being normal.

@Nelly, my oldest takes it better with chocolate in it and she will only take 2-3 oz but some is better than none i guess.

Thank you ladies! :)

[NellyStar5]

You can. I tried it with my 3 year old but she didn't like the taste lol

[YoungLadyDay14]

Question one Im really not sure on. Call me crazy, but I think it would make more sense 2 give ur 3 yr old human milk than a cow's milk. I kinda think it's wierd we are the only mammals that drink another mammals milk. I breastfed my daughter until she was 18months I did not. She weaned herself & my milk dried up. Back in the day it was common to breastfeed til the child was 4 or 5.

Second question I completely agree. My daughter is now 4 & told me mommy remember when I use to drink milk out ur boobs? It caught me off guard, but after I explained it she was fine. I believe in being open communication with children with answers that are age appropriate. Hope that helps.