Are Weaning Parties Going Too Far?

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Are Weaning Parties Going Too Far?

Posted on 04 13, 2007 under Master Debaters by foodad | Comments

breastfeedgold I recently read an article on Boston.com about a parent who decided to breast feed her kid until she was around 5 years old. Aside from the obvious arguments for and against:

For:

Amazing Nutrional Value!
Very nurturing
Saves money
It's a natural thing

Against:

Socially Awkward
The kid is almost 5!
The kid is going to have crazy emotional attachment issues and heavy heavy heavy emotional anxiety when the mother leaves him/her alone for 2 minutes.

This isn't even the part that sent me to my soap box. There are several
things that got me up here. Read this direct quote from the article:

"Just before I cut the cake, I said, 'We are here to celebrate Gwen's
important decision.' Everybody already knew what it was, so that was
pretty much it," The decision? The decision was to ween from breast feeding. And no, Gwen is not the mother, Gwen is the kid!

What is with all of the ridiculous parties these days?

A WEANING PARTY!?!!? Noodad, bring your brood over on Sunday. We're having a my-son-just-crapped-on-the-potty party. We'll be serving brownies. I understand encouraging your kids, but this sets unrealistic expectations. Mom! I can tie my shoes now! Rent out the club. We're having a party!

Why are we letting our kids make so many decisions?

Noodads and Noomoms YOU are running the show. Your kids depends on you to guide them through life to a certain age. You should not be letting your kids make decisions about things like dinnertime, bedtime, bathtime let alone weaning. I cannot tell you how many times I hear things like "Jilly does not want to go to bed at 8:00PM. How do you get your kids in bed by 7:00 Foodad?" If a baby decides to wean at an early age, then there isn't much you can do about that, but you are in command of a toddler. I ASSURE YOU.

the answer: MY WIFE AND I MAKE THEM GO TO BED! WE ARE THE BOSSES!

As this is supposed to be debate, rant over: Your turn noodads.

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Viewing 8 Comments

Phoenix 2 years ago 1 point
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5 years is way too long. When the kid can ask for it themselves, it is time to hang up the ol\' milk bags and rely on solid foods.

I have also heard of women who keep breastfeeding to keep their breasts huge. I would be all for that if they werent so damn sensitive!

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BigDaddy 2 years ago 1 point
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For the record I think it\'s weird as hell. I had a neighbor that did this, but I never had to see it. I am wondering, if you don\'t have to see it , then what\'s the big deal?

Foo, I agree with you. I have been on that same soapbox several times. Unfortunately it has become more okay and acceptable everyday for kids to blur that line.

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Steph 2 years ago 1 point
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Why would it be any of your business what other parents do? If WE (the child and I) decide we are OK with nursing till the kid is 10, so be it! You decide what is best for your family and I will do the same for mine.

Oh, and Phoenix, I fogot the reason God gave women the ability to breastfeed our children was so they would get \"huge\" for YOU to ogle. They are good enough for you to lust after but GOD FORBID we use them for what they were intended for! Pig!

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Phoenix 2 years ago 1 point
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A woman on noodad! Me go hunt and make fire now. You stay in cave and feed kid until kid is 30 years old! Oink oink.

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Ladydragonflagg 2 years ago 1 point
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I find it halarious how women get so offended. I as a woman I breasfed my child... For 6 months. Even I think breastfeeding for 5 years is creepy and I am sure will create some kind of complex for the kid later in life.

Breast are indeed intended to feed children, but they are intended to feed BABIES, not preteens.

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foodad 2 years ago 1 point
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The topic of this blogthing is fatherhood. I make all of this stuff my business.

If you read the article, I do not actually pass judgment on these frea.. I mean people. I simply say that parents need to take charge.

Phoenix, this is noodad.com, not TalkLikeANoob.com. If you want to oink, go get a job at Piggly Wiggly.

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Steph 2 years ago 1 point
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Foo, I love the fact that you talk about great issues (ie breastfeeding and circing!) I know you are not trying to pass judgment. I think the media lately has made it a little bit of a \"ouch\" for some of us nursing Mom\'s out here. Extended breastfeeding is a very personal choice and I would like to see it get more positive press I guess!

Ladydragonflagg... While I applaud you for nursing for 6 months, I think equating a 5 year old with a preteen is a bit far of a stretch! I hardly think 5 is pre teen (well, anymore then a 6 month old is a pre teen!)

AAP guidelines say EXCLUSIVELY breastfeed for the first 6 months. One year is BETTER (with the introduction of solids around 6 months). The rest of the world follows WHO guidelines. They suggest 2 years of breastfeeding.

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Kira 2 years ago 1 point
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[I]MYTH: Extended breastfeeding makes a child overly dependent and can cause psychological harm.

FACT: On the contrary, meeting a childs need for breastfeeding fosters independence on the childs own developmental timetable. Both research and the experiences of mothers worldwide indicate that children who nurse past a year have excellent social adjustment. Per the American Academy of Pediatrics, There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer.[/I]

- from Kellymom.com (a nice resource site, btw)

The notion that breastfeeding must end when the baby can ask for it is illogical. Newborns communicate their need to nurse for food or comfort by rooting for the breast, sucking on hands/fingers, and then crying (a late sign of hunger or distress). If we all stopped nursing as soon as they could communicate a need for it, we wouldn\'t be breastfeeding at all really.

Overall, I highly recommend taking a few minutes to peruse Katherine Dettwyler\'s research on the natural duration of breastfeeding for humans:

http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detwean.html

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http://www.lactivistintactivist.com

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