Giving cups of BM to an older weaned child?

[shishkeberry]

I've been thinking that if I'm able to pump milk this time around I would offer some to my 5yo DS in a cup and if he liked it, and I'm able to pump enough for him as well as the new babe, I'd let him have a cup of it now and then. I mentioned this to my DP and he thought it was gross and weird. Honestly, it's not like I'm going to let my DS get it from the tap (not that *I* think that nursing a 5yo is weird for other people, but I don't want to go down that road myself).

Has anyone else done this? Honestly, it might not even be an issue. I was never a good pumper with my DS and even if I am this time around he might not even like my milk anymore.

[averlee]

I don't think it's weird or gross at all. Cow's milk is seen as very normal, but that's kinda weird and gross, right? Even at age 5, your son would get benefit from your milk- antibodies, feel-good hormones, etc.

[luv-my-boys]

well I have an awesome experience giving BM to an older weaned chid.

At the time my son (who had been weaned at least 2 yrs) became very ill with pneumonia and ended up in the ICU. He ended up with some gi issues due to the meds he was on which caused him to lose weight. It was my pediatrician that asked me if my younger son was still nursing, which he was, she told me to go home and express milk for him. Within a couple days he was doing much better and I really do believe its from all the anitbodies and noursihment he got from the BM that the IVs couldnt do. so yes I think giving BM to an older chid is ok.

[shishkeberry]

Originally Posted by averlee

I don't think it's weird or gross at all. Cow's milk is seen as very normal, but that's kinda weird and gross, right? Even at age 5, your son would get benefit from your milk- antibodies, feel-good hormones, etc.

That's what I was thinking. I'm not sure why my DP is just writing it off as weird..well, he says that breastmilk is for babies. I can't get him to realize how weird it is that most of us drink the breastmilk from a cow. Well, I don't need his permission to do it

Originally Posted by luv-my-boys

well I have an awesome experience giving BM to an older weaned chid.

At the time my son (who had been weaned at least 2 yrs) became very ill with pneumonia and ended up in the ICU. He ended up with some gi issues due to the meds he was on which caused him to lose weight. It was my pediatrician that asked me if my younger son was still nursing, which he was, she told me to go home and express milk for him. Within a couple days he was doing much better and I really do believe its from all the anitbodies and noursihment he got from the BM that the IVs couldnt do. so yes I think giving BM to an older chid is ok.

While I hope my DS doesn't get pneumonia, that is an awesome story! I'm glad your son got better.

Another reason that is making me want to do it is that my son weaned from BM at ten months. I always had supply issues and when he went on a nursing strike my supply never recovered. I've always mourned the end of our nursing relationship. I wanted to do it for at least two years and to have it cut off like that hurt a lot (and still does). And though I'm not comfortable with starting up regular nursing again (and I don't think my DS would be either), I think it might be healing for me if he was willing to drink cups of my BM. I hope he likes it! It has been a long time since he's had it.

[Katie T]

I don't think it is weird at all, my oldest loves breast milk.

DS drinks it but doesn't beg for it like his oldest sister, but sometimes he will still get it from the tap, and DD2 is still a frequent booby flier lol

[equilibrium]

I would absolutely do it. Why not? It is much better than any milk you could buy in a store!