Boy, did I worry about kindergarten!!  My youngest was still nursing when he started kindergarten and this was about the same time a woman on the east coast lost custody of her 5 year old nursing child when she called a hotline to ask questions about nursing.

My friends, DH and I discussed whether to talk to him about  it or not.  I sure didn't want him to think it was 'bad' to still be nursing, however, as an LLL Leader myself, he was around breastfeeding babies and kids all the time and he did talk about it.  The day he realized his best friend Ruthe was no longer nursing was so sad for him!  He was so worried about her!!!

At any rate, we finally decided to say nothing about it to him and assume it was normal!  First grade wouldn't have been a problem as his 1st grade teacher was a former LLL Leader.  However, he weaned 6 weeks before his 6th birthday although requested saving one for later in case he needed it.  He turned 21 last July and I did inform him I was recinding that emergency nursing! to which he responded with a expressive "M-o-o-o-m!"

He was just discovered to have a 'near' allergy to soy and gluten.  I suggested we take his sister up on her offer of pumped breastmilk (she is nursing her 2nd who is 8 mo.) and got the "Mom" again---

Michele Crockett, IBCLC, LLLL, PCPA
Washington the State, USA
Breastfeeding is a health decision, not a lifestyle choice!...unless you want it to be...

Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:54:51 +1000 
From: Karleen Gribble 
Subject: Re: extended breastfeeding 

Hi Laurie, 
Yes, when I *started* breastfeeding my little one at nearly 4 (adopted at 
nearly 3.5) I was worried. Having now written a lot on the subject of 
adoptive breastfeeding and just why breastfeeding can be so beneficial to 
children with a history of relational trauma I would not be circumspect 
again. Our social worker now tells all the applicants attending the 
mandatory adoption education classes that they should consider adoptive 
breastfeeding. 
We breastfed in public for about 2.5 years. Got some interesting looks but 
no one ever said anything. 
Karleen Gribble 
Australia 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "laurie wheeler" 
To: 
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2007 1:42 PM 
Subject: extended breastfeeding 


> Just to chime in that I breastfed my daughter, now 13, for 5 or 6 yrs. For 
> those unfamiliar with older nurslings, often they nurse very briefly prior 
> to naps or bedtime, and sometimes skipping a day or two, and for me even 
on 
> a "dry" breast - I really did not feel I had any milk the last several 
> months. 
> I concur with all the benefits, physiological and psychological. What I do 
> want to mention is that I was actually quite fearful, as she got older, 
that 
> someone would be quite aghast about it, report it, and have my child taken 
> away from me. We basically went "closet nursing" as she got older, as many 
> mothers unfortunately do. Living in the "Deep South" USA attitudes about 
> even bf a newborn are not favorable. 
> Did any others have this fear? 
> 
> Laurie Wheeler 
> Louisiana at that time, now Mississippi 
> 
> *********************************************** 
> 
> 

             ***********************************************

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