Is it inappropriate to nurse an older child everywhere? - Page 2

[kdescalzi]

I nurse my 18mo dd in public all the time because she wants to nurse ALL THE TIME!! I hadn't thought about limiting NIP until this moment, reading this post. My dd is a nursaholic and I think not NIP would be impossible. I hope people don't mind because I have never even thought about it being inappropriate at a certain age. It sucks when she starts shouting I WANNA BOOP, I WANNA BOOP ...gets pretty embarassing, especially because people think she is saying boob!!! I usually try to nurse her before we get to that point. As long as your comfortable with it, then go for it!

[Mulvah]

I'm pretty conservative (on this board) where NIP and age limits are concerned and I wouldn't limit nursing at 16 MO for the comfort of other people.  If I wanted to, for my own comfort, that's different.

[cyclamen]

DD 17mo signs for milk instead of yelling, and I set boundaries on her nursing when we are out for my own comfort.  But if we are out all day, she is tired, etc... heck yeah, I will nurse her where ever.  I do use a scarf now, also for my own comfort, and she likes it too.  But if she or I didn't want it, I wouldn't use it either. 

Honestly, many people probably can't even tell how old a baby is.  Pre-baby, I sure couldn't.  I had no idea how tiny newborns were, and probably would have assumed a 2 year old was a baby if I didn't see him or her talking.

[OrangeMoon]

16 months is still a baby! :-) Go for it! 

[Koalamom]

Thanks everyone for the comments.  This all really helped me to be more confident nursing my baby out!

[MamieCole]

I never limited NIP with DS1. If he asked to nurse, it didn't matter where we were. Of course there were times where I told him he had to wait a few minutes or until we got to a certain location, etc. But if I could find a place to sit, I'd nurse him. He weaned at 34 months because I was pregnant and there was no more milk. 

I do not plan to avoid NIP with DS2, no matter how long he nurses.

I have never felt like I needed to hide or keep it at home. 

[mamatoElias]

I don't necessarily think 16 months is "really young" to set limits on nursing.  I started setting limits with my boys starting at about a year and that was the right choice for myself and my family.  I needed to be able to set limits for my own comfort/ sanity and I also felt my sons were ready at that age to briefly postpone nursing until we had some privacy.  This was something my sons accepted easily.  I might have felt differently if their needs had been different.  

That said, it wouldn't bother me one bit to see a 16 month old NIP.  In fact, it would probably make me smile.  

[ElliesMomma]

nm

Edited by ElliesMomma - 5/28/11 at 11:54pm

[halomancer]

My DS started solids late and was still almost exclusively breastfed at that age, so I nursed whenever and wherever just like an older infant.  He was always huge, so I am sure people thought I was nursing a preschooler.  (He also nursed in shopping carts)  Now,at 3.5, he only nurses at home.

[myk]

i stopped NIP when DD1 turned 2. she had reached the point where she didn't need to nurse all the time, and we restricted it to before/after sleep times. it seemed the natural thing to do, especially since she was able to drink water on the go and was eating everything else a 2 year old would. i'm sure she would have liked to nurse everywhere at that point, but i didn't like it, personally.

[averlee]

I think the WHO encourages nursing on demand until age 2, and I know the folks at WIC have drilled that into me. My daughter at 16 months could still fit in some front/side style carriers, which might be good for grocery store nursing. 

[Brendalee]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1 

I guess I think about when I was at church the other sunday, and he was in the sling (hanging out of course since he is way big) and nursing.  I had 2 ladies comment, "he is nursing isn't he".  I just said yes.  They both went EWWW, and commented saying "he has to do tht right here right now.  We were in line for a special church potluck.  It is then that it occured to me that he is getting older, and not that tiny baby snuggled down in the sling. 

Still I need some limits for me.  For maybe the last month, I have been feeling weird feelings to push my babt away from nursing.  At night especially, I in my sleep turn ds away from milk.  It is only when dh says something or I wake up more concionsly that I realize what I do.  I am feling like I need my boob space back, and still havent got my cycle back.  (yeah I must be crazy wanting my cycle, but I enjoy it) 

Wait...so, 2 ladies felt the need to comment that they thought it was inappropriate for your son to eat HIS dinner at...dinnertime??!  Seems a little strange to me; I mean, it's dinnertime, so my son's eating dinner, 'nuff said.

HOWEVER, if YOU'RE feeling uncomfortable, that's a different situation. Screw other people if THEY'RE uncomfortable that your child is eating!  *sheesh*  No, 16 months is still a "baby" and completely appropriate. But I feel that if he's old enough to tell you with words that he wants some boobalage, he's old enough to start learning about "wait a minute" - using the shopping cart example, to tell him he can eat as soon as you can get a comfy place to sit.  Then find a place to go, or go to the car maybe & then finish shopping after (depending on how much shopping was left to be done, I suppose).  As he gets used to "wait a sec", you can extend the time that might need to be waited - like, now we have to wait until we're done shopping, then after we pay & get comfy we'll nurse, etc.  But definitely under the age of 2 years...no one should bat an eyelash to see a baby under 2 years old nursing.  *shakes head*

I do wonder if you aren't subconsciously pulling away because he's nursing more than he used to & perhaps you're just feeling a little overwhelmed by it?  I hope you two have figured out something that works well for the both of you!!  :)

[Koalamom]

Some changes have gone on since I last started this thread. I am less worried about hat others think and am still nursing my ds. I am now trying to emnrace the nursing time we have together and he nurses more than ever.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1 

Some changes have gone on since I last started this thread. I am less worried about hat others think and am still nursing my ds. I am now trying to emnrace the nursing time we have together and he nurses more than ever.

Glad to hear you are both doing well!

[Brendalee]

Originally Posted by bluebirdmama1 

Some changes have gone on since I last started this thread. I am less worried about hat others think and am still nursing my ds. I am now trying to emnrace the nursing time we have together and he nurses more than ever.

That's totally wicked awesome to hear. :)  I wish you much success in embracing the nursing time!!  So lovely to hear that he's finally nursing a "normal" amount - it must be very comforting to you to know that he's now getting a good amount of nutrition!  Congratulations to both of you.  :)