Any Mamas Out There Who Were Extended Breastfed Themselves? - Page 2

[laohaire]

I knew a guy who had nursed until 4. He didn't remember anything except being held by his mom. I can't comment in great detail about his psychology, he was just an acquaintance, but he seemed perfectly normal to me. His memories were pleasant and not disturbing to him.

My DD nursed until age 5 and I'm darn sure she's very psychologically sound :)

Fact is, weaning at 6 or 12 months is a very American (or maybe Western) thing - in other places it's unthinkable.

And if you think about it, the species is just not meant to wean so early. We can do it in our modern society because we have things to replace it with, but without blenders, cows, packaged "baby" and "toddler foods" - it would put a baby at a survival disadvantage to be cut off from their' mother's milk so young. And it doesn't seem to flow to me that something that our species was designed to do, could be psychologically damaging. Not unless it was twisted or something.

[SubliminalDarkness]

I don't know how long my DH nursed for, but it was a long time. He also cross-nursed with his aunts, and while he's aware that it happened(because it happened with his brothers and cousins as well) he doesn't actually remember it.

His youngest brother nursed until he was 4. He's definitely not "normal" but I think it unlikely that any of it had to do with how long he was breastfed.

My younger son is 4 and still nursing. He's entirely normal, and I doubt anyone would ever even guess he's still breastfeeding.