What age to stop breast feeding

There is absolutely no need for a child to be breast fed at that age if she wanted to continue express it and give it in a cup

Obviously you can’t change the past but many parents have a bond even if they aren’t breastfeeding. Do you have an issue with the feeding? I’d like to point out that breastfeeding at any age is beneficial to a child and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with extended breastfeeding.

You haven’t said much about the bigger picture with your daughters mother or how well you get on, but it does sound a little like it could be a control situation to prevent you spending too much time with her? She doesn’t need to be breast fed at her age and agree, growing a relationship with you and her half siblings is much more important now. Have you tried having this conversation with her mother?

I have to admit I find that very crazy. Yes, breastfeeding is very good for children but at 6 yrs old it seems excessive. Especially if it’s preventing her from being away from her mom overnight. I agree with other person that maybe it’s some issues with the mom.

Studies on extended breastfeeding rarely go past age 3. I can certainly see there are benefits should someone want to breastfeed up to that age but age 6 is detrimental in my opinion. One woman I read about was still breastfeeding her 10 and 12 year old girls and refused to send them to school because she couldn't come and feed them. There comes a point where it becomes for the mothers benefit not the child.

‘m sorry but anyone that’s breastfeeding their child till 6, 10 or 12 then that’s sick . She should go and get her self a man and stop molesting children by letting them suck her breast. Sick

Elaine you sound kinda sick

My instincts tell me that 6 years old is too old to be breastfed and it should definitely be stopped before starting reception class how often is it done ? and does it affect them actually eating solid food because they are getting everything they need from the milk and being full !! If Breast milk has its benefits at this age then I agree with someone else who said express the milk and put it in a cup because actually would anyone still be giving a bottle at this age either ? I’m sure children don’t want to be going to school talking about having mummies booby !!

100% agree, it’s probably an excuse so she doesn’t have to let her daughter stay at dads overnight

I would love to know the qualifications for all the people slating extended breastfeeding as the scientific research suggests there are continued benefits for as long as children are fed. Also, other mammals nurse children up to and past the equivalent of age 6 in nature suggesting we are built to do the same. Most adults drink breast milk albeit it from a cow so i’d question who are really the weird ones here. And to sexualise breastfeeding as one poster has done, that suggests they have serious issues themselves. I do however agree that both the child’s bond with its other parent and siblings and the breastfeeding relationship with the mother are important. I would suggest you take breastfeeding out the equation altogether. Can you discuss ways in which you can spend more time with your child whilst facilitating the breastfeeding relationship she has. I dare say this will come to a natural end sooner rather than later anyway so maybe start trying to build up as much contact as the situation currently allows in the knowledge that it won’t be forever and you’ll both be ready when the time comes to step up contact further.

Try mediation maybe to try and come to a compromise from an unbiased source?

I can see how lovely the bond of breastfeeding is but realistically extended breastfeeding (to this extent- age 6 is excessive) would have been more important back in the cavemen days when humans had short periods of fasting and limited food supply and babies could easily become malnourished. There are still benefits of course nutritionally however long you do it for, but really it can lead to more issues than benefits in this day and age. Bullying for one. It can also be used as a way to control contact with a child, sounds like this could be the case here. I think most people would agree that building a bond with a father and siblings is far more important than breastfeeding age 6, she isn’t an infant. Mum can express into a cup and give her a multivitamin. An equal relationship with both parents outweighs any nutritional benefit in my opinion.

*babies and children could become more easily malnourished.

Thankyou all for your replies.

My personal feeling is that she wants to be able to say to my daughter , thats your dad, however she doesn't actually want her to have any kind of constructive relationship with me. She wants me almost insignificant in my daughters mind. Shes covering bases.

I understand the benefits of breastfeeding. In her case though Shes not breast feeding my daughter for my daughters benefit. There is a subtle element of parental alienation involved. That is child abuse.

Shes doing it for her self,(not sexual but definatly selfish needs). Breast feeding has been the excuse for not having sleepovers however I dont feel it is the real reason. 18 months ago I told her she needs to stop breast feeding so that my daughter can stay over at my house (like she does her grand parents). She has not spoken to me since. She has made comunication with my daughter virtually impossible. The only way to communicate is though email and it is a long drawn out process to get any kind of responce out her. Last year I saw my daughter 7 times but was allowed to talk to her on zoom a handful of other times also. She will not allow whatsap or messenge. even an old fashion telephone call with my daughter is a no no.

I have tried to get her in to mediation 4 times. One time I succeeded however she manipulated the session by saying virtually nothing and we got nowhere.

I have recently started to get my daughter fortnightly. I've told the mother in an email that i want to see my daughter every week with a sleepover every other weekend.

The response as per usual SILENCE

The few times I've seen my daughter since Christmas I noticed that at around 3 or 4 pm she gets really cranky and wants her mum. Last week I asked her is she still getting ocky, she told me she was

breasts aren’t sexual they are for feeding our children and it’s totally normal to breastfeed a child until they self wean which is usually around 7 years old. and it’s certainly not sick, or perverted