Breastfeeding Around My Three Yr Old Son

What works for you? That is the bottom line. My five and three year old boys have both modeled my nursing (to my husbands entertainment and horror) with dolls, stuffed animals, even a Buzz Lightyear (that *was* entertaining). I don't cover up at home. They poke at me every so often, and we pull out the conversation on respect - but it really is a non-issue. It is normal in our house. And it is a normal, natural behavior that I hope (demand?) they encourage their future wives to engage in with their own children. When they see animals nursing their young, they get really excited (Mom! How cute! The baby's nursing!) - and the same goes for human babies. (Mom, that baby sure is hungry!) I love it!

I think if your uncomfortable you can cover up, otherwise explain what is going on, and what breasts are for. Hopefully he will grow up with a healthy image and appreciation of what a women's body can do. I hope my son has a better appreciation of the woman's body than what some society is currently portraying. I would not worry too much, his interest will probably fade quickly.
T.

I know that I am going to get a lot of negative coments on this one but did what i thought was best and i am standing by my decision. My first son did not take to breast feeding. he would gag . that was pretty convenient because i was too busy going to school and working anyway. he did just fine on formula he was 11lbs 8 oz at birth. after five miscarriages in between my tow boys, they are 13 yrs apart. i thought i would never have another child and started the adoption process. we got a little girl, Megan when she was born. her mom changed her mind 2 wks later and took her away. it was then that i found out i was pregnant again. i didnt think i would carry this baby either but he stuck around for 31 weeks and was premature but a healthy 4lbs. i breast fed him and he took right to it. he was never sick, like my oldest and did well . i continued to breast feed him until he was three. it wanst a matter ofnutrition because he was eating food. it was more of a comfort thing. i never left this baby with anyone, i was afraid somethign woauld happen. very overprotective of him until he went to school. my mother did not beleive in breast feeding and told me many times that i didnt need to be a milk cow to the boy becasue this was modern age and thee were things to replace my beast milk that were better for the baby. she said my body would be ruined even more etc. she also told me that my son was going to take me to the prom and leave me outside and come out for a sip in between dances. i have never regretted breast feedin him until age 3. today he is the healthiest boy ever. and we have bonded even more than i did with my older sone. we didnt have the teenage problems i had with the oldest because we talk all the time. i dont think you should start breastfeedin your son at this point. notif he is already weaned. but maybe if you explain to him that he is a big boy now and that brest milk is just for babies. have him help you with other things like bringing things to you or helping set up when you sit to breast fed. that is a big boys job.

I have breastfed all four of my children- am currently bfing my four month old and I do not use a blanket most of the time, unless we are in public. My son and daughter were curious and watched what I was doing and asked lots of questions about the why's and how's of feeding a baby. We talked it over quite a bit the first month- not 'are you comfortable' etc, but like Mommy is feeding the baby' Mommy fed you when you were a baby' etc. They don't seem to notice much now that I have been feeding the baby for four months. I am not uncomfortable with it and I think at this age isn't the same as say, a teenager. My son used to get a doll and try to 'feed' her too, LOL, along with my daughter and her dolly, on the couch next to me. If my son expressed discomfort with me feeding the baby I would cover up just like I would anyone else out of respect. He has only been curious so far and since four months have gone by accepts it as perfectly normal, which I would want him to. I hope that helps:)

I'd just cover up with a blanket or something. I breastfed all four of mine and I had some curious ones. :) Good luck to you and Congratulations!

Jaimee

I say keep feeding your daughter like you are. Your son's interest is very natural and innocent. My niece had the same interest if it makes you feel any better. My son was 2 when I had my daughter and he was curious at first, but that has since faded. He really wanted some milk so I pumped some and let him drink it. He really liked it and I would pump some for him occasionally. It's way healthier for them than cow's milk anyways. I don't do this, but there are plenty of women, especially in other countries, who still nurse their children at age 3 so I wouldn't worry about it. My son is 3 and I still nurse in front of him. Sometimes while I'm nursing he'll make a comment very matter-of-factly, "Those are your boobies to make milk for baby Kylynn." And I just tell him he's correct and that they made milk for him too when he was a baby.

Nursing is a beautiful part of life and not sexual whatsoever. It's adorable and fascinating to watch animals nurse, so I completely understand his interest. I have to admit that before I had my own children I was very fascinated by the whole process (I still think it's the coolest thing ever and I love the human body and how it functions). My SIL was pumping in front of me once and I tried to be discreet about my fascination but I was simply amazed. It's a wonderful science lesson, and I think it's important for children to see the human body in a natural, healthy, nonsexual way.