Grandpa said, "don't wean him too soon."

[MarcyC]

My grandpa is 93 years old. He's always done volunteer work in the hospital. He used to volunteer in the ER, but when he got into his 80's he found it too fast-paced so he decided to rock babies in the NICU. He "retired" from volunteering just about a year ago. Anyhow, because of the time he spent volunteering in the NICU he learned a lot about babies.

So I was talking to him last night and he asked me if Jacob was eating solids yet. I told him he wasn't that into them. He asked if I was still nursing. I said yes, but I would probably wean soon. I told him about the tongue tie, shallow latch, high palate, etc. He said he'd actually talk to some peds he knew out there (CA) and see if they knew any peds or ENT's in the Raleigh area who could help me. GO GRANDPA! Then he asked, "remind me again how old he is." I said, "just over 5 mos." He said, "well, don't wean him too soon!"

My Grandpa is so smart!!

[littlecityfarmer]

My grandfather is a lactivist, too! Surprised me, for sure!

Best wishes for continuing your nursing relationship! Have you posted in BF Challenges? Those mammas are really knowledable, and many have BTDT!

[forthebest]

What a cool grandpa!

[MarcyC]

The remainder of the conversation went like this:

Me: I won't wean him too soon. We're having struggles, but I don't feel like I've done all I can...just yet...I'll know for me and him when the time is right.

Grandpa: Yes...you will. Formula isn't terrible, but 5 1/2 mos. is too young. His frenulum may stretch on it's own. Give him a few more weeks at least...at least make to 6 months before you even think about quitting.

Me: I will. Don't worry...I like nursing, when the latch is good and I'm not being bitten, clamped on and torn apart...remember I nursed Megan until she was 2."


Grandpa: Yes, well that's TOO LONG!!! Don't nurse him that long!!!

LOL!!! I guess at 93 years old he thinks there should be some compromise in the middle - sometime between 5 1/2 months and 2 years.

[Meiri]

Grandpa: Yes, well that's TOO LONG!!! Don't nurse him that long!!!

I think Grandpa has a few more things to learn!

That's sweet that he's going to try to get some help for you from where he lives. How wonderful to have such a support grandparent.

[jessjgh1]

Cool grampa. My g-pa calls bottles and pacifiers nipples-- which i find hilarious. BTW, he's very pro-breastfeeding. I guess he gets that pacifiers and bottles are artificial nipples. It just makes me giggle when he calls them nipples.

Very cool that he's been such a great volunteer- what an inspiration. I hope he knows someone that can help. My friends son had tongue tie that wasn't diagnosed till he was a year or more. It didn't effect b-feeding, but she was given some excersises (she did them and he mimicked her) and nutritional supplements (I think flaxseed oil?). Some of that stuff may be not age appropriate for your ds....

Jessica

[hannybanany]

Originally Posted by MarcyC

Grandpa: Yes, well that's TOO LONG!!! Don't nurse him that long!!!

How sweet that he was encouraging you!

[mamaesq]

My Grandfather is a lactivist too, much to my surprise. He "won't let me wean before two under any circumstances!" He was nursed until he was over 2 years old and thinks it is so important. I was floored when he first said that to me!

[mysticmomma]

awww... wonderful

[wahoowhippets]

What an awesome Grandpa! My Grandma once told me that she liked to nurse her babies laying on the couch because she was lazy LOL!

[MaryJaneLouise]

:

[jennybean0722]

I think alot of older people from this generation are "lactivists" in general My grandparents and great-aunts and great-uncles thought it was great that I was still nursing and talked about the "good ol days" where that was all they had, no bottles with formula and quite honestly, they didn't want 'em. They also talked about how wierd it was to not see older children nursing!!!!!! They said they would get together at night with friends and play cards, and their kids (age 5!) would come and get a little nip from mom and turn in. How awesome!

Of course my brother freaked out and they just laughed at him. They told him how ridiculous our generation has become with freaking out so much about boobies.

[dflanag2]

The rule in my grandfather's family was that you nursed the baby until the second summer. Since Grandpa was born in October, he nursed until he was almost 2 years old. No one remembers the reasoning for weaning in the summer. Does anyone know? If it helps, this was occurring in Alabama 80 years ago... I'm glad that my grandparents support my bfing, but Grandpa is still somewhat alarmed that I do it right in front of everyone!

-dflanag2

[purple_kangaroo]

Originally Posted by dflanag2

The rule in my grandfather's family was that you nursed the baby until the second summer. Since Grandpa was born in October, he nursed until he was almost 2 years old. No one remembers the reasoning for weaning in the summer. Does anyone know? If it helps, this was occurring in Alabama 80 years ago... I'm glad that my grandparents support my bfing, but Grandpa is still somewhat alarmed that I do it right in front of everyone!

-dflanag2

Maybe because kids tend to catch more viruses after being weaned, and summer is the lowest cold and flu season?

[star*mora]

very wise, and good advice

[HappyFox05]

What a cool Grandpa!

[mntnmom]

Originally Posted by dflanag2

The rule in my grandfather's family was that you nursed the baby until the second summer. Since Grandpa was born in October, he nursed until he was almost 2 years old. No one remembers the reasoning for weaning in the summer. Does anyone know? If it helps, this was occurring in Alabama 80 years ago... I'm glad that my grandparents support my bfing, but Grandpa is still somewhat alarmed that I do it right in front of everyone!

-dflanag2

I would imagine switching to cows milk in the summer would be especially dangerous, especially in someplace as warm as Alabama. I've gotten the impression that water born illnesses are more of a problem then too.
Maybe a case of observation becoming good old folk-wisdom.