Thoughts about this??

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-23-2003
Thoughts about this??
3946
Tue, 03-27-2007 - 11:53am

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-12-2006
Sat, 03-31-2007 - 5:33pm

"Oh right it was chimps and gorillas."

Nope, no mention of chimps or gorillas here. (See below)

Humans, yes. Chimps or gorillas, no.

"Dettwyler writes that nursing a four year old, or even a six year old, is both "normal and natural for humans."

"Small provides evidence for this claim from data from both ancient and contemporary human cultures. Analysis of the remains of American Indian bones from a site near the Missouri River shows definitive evidence that infants were breastfed exclusively for the first year of life and then gradually weaned when they were approximately five years old."

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2006
Sat, 03-31-2007 - 5:57pm

"What we HAVE claimed is that you cannot speak for all people, which you have by saying it is not necessary to nurse a school-aged child. To say that with any certainty you would have to know EVERY school aged child, and something tells me you don't."

To both you and Mary,

I assure you Iam not speaking for all ppl when i make my opinion. Iam NOT speaking for anyone but myself, Iam representing myself and MY family.

I have been very clear that your way works beautifually for you but it woudl not for me.

In my opinion, it is neither appropriate or necessary to breastfeed a child in elementary school b/c they want to or you want to. It it not benificial to them or does it promote anything positive.

It may be natural and normal...Iam not arguing that.

My point from the very start has not been to slam or insiult any mother who prolongs to 8< if they are confident in their choose they would see Iam not speaking for them. That they know what is best for them no matter others views.

my stance is that it is not necessary or appropriate for childhood development. I use the word appropriate very loosley, b/c it does not gross me out.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2006
Sat, 03-31-2007 - 6:01pm
Didnt say there.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2006
Sat, 03-31-2007 - 6:15pm

Imo your evidence has not suppported your opinion, that is my point. I have not failed to i dont want to, i may present my opinion as that and leave it there you look it up if you dont believe me and prove me wrong, if that is what your so interested in doing.. If you go to one unbias parentning site no where does it promote or list breastfeeding for proper nutrition, growth and development independence, security, comfort. In fact when you go to many parenting book/sites about raising elementary aged childre breastfeeding is not even mentioned. Iam all for differenace and pushing the envelope.

Iam all for choice, It is a choice i would not make for the wellbeing of myself and my child.

BTW, I have been very straight forward that this is my opinion, nothing more. IAM not speaking for anyone BUT MYSELF!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2006
Sat, 03-31-2007 - 6:19pm
I know huh, giggle! :) The beauty of debate.



Edited 3/31/2007 6:26 pm ET by xenozany
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2001
Sat, 03-31-2007 - 6:27pm

As an engineer I like to look at the results of scientific research, preferably without bias.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-21-2001
Sat, 03-31-2007 - 6:35pm

For crying out loud I don't make this stuff up.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
Sat, 03-31-2007 - 6:44pm

Isnt it true though that, in America at least, typically those who breastfeed and/or do extended breastfeeding are more highly educated than those who use formula?

Im sure no one would argue that, as a group, children of highly educated adults are going to outscore the children of the uneducated. IQ tests are really no true measuure of actual intelligence. So many other factors go into what people score besides raw brain power.

I really dont see how that could be "corrected" for in a study.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
Sat, 03-31-2007 - 7:05pm

Ok. But how can you say definitively that it is NOT harmful, when there have been no studies (to my knowledge) done on children nursing at the age of 8 or beyond. Extended breastfeeding of toddlers and small children has known benefits but it does not follow that those benefits extend indefinately.

Until you, or Aquariusmama or anyone else can point me to a study that supports YOUR pov, I dont see why I am required to have any to support mine.

And this has nothing to do with "typical" American beliefs about nursing. I dont think nursing itself is gross or sexual. I dont think nursing a child up to the age of 5ish is gross or sexual.

However, I do think that the point where a child's own sexuality is beginning to develop is the time when nursing needs to be over. Breasts ARE sexual organs. By 8-9-10 a lot of little girls are beginning to develop breast buds, if not breasts. Most children begin masturbating with the intent of orgasm (as opposed to the general squeezing/rubbing they do as young children) at the onset of adolescence, which is around 10-11. I dont think its healthy at all, or fair, for that 8 year old who in just a few short years will be exploring her own breasts for sexual purposes to be suckling on her mom's during the day. (and from that video it is evident that she might still be nursing at 10 or later)

Maybe Im totally wrong. Maybe its not harmful at all. But it is my gut instinct and until someone can give me a study that proves otherwise, it is my opinion.

And as to the "our biology hasnt changed no matter what society thinks" argument...it doesnt take into account that puberty happens much earlier now than it did at one time.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-15-2007
Sat, 03-31-2007 - 7:31pm
I have trouble believing this is a causal relationship, because all three of these things could just as easily be affected by SES. And more people with higher SES breastfeed.

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