Breastfeeding infront of older children - New Moms

amandalaine · 12-31-2006, 01:42 PM

I was just wanting other's thoughts on this...I'm nursing Preston while also having to entertain my stepdaughter(she's 6), but I personally don't feel comfortable nursing infront of her, so I'll usually tell her I'm going to feed the baby and will go do it in our room. She knows what I'm doing because she'll ask if I'm feeding him "the special way" and will point to the area on her....not really sure where she got that from but that's beside the point

I think I mainly don't feel comfortable with it because she's not mine by blood and because of the fact that my in-laws are freaks and the first time she says "I saw mommy's boob" they'll flip out and that's NOT something I need to deal with right now. If she was younger or actually mine I probably would feel differently. So what about ya'll...do you nurse infront of your children that are older? If yes, would there be a cut off age for you at all?

Laurie119 · 12-31-2006, 01:47 PM

My daughter was only 2 and a half when I had DS, and I had friends who had kids a little older than that and I had no issues with breastfeeding in front of them. But then, I didn't have a problem breastfeeding anywhere.....LOL. Don't get me wrong, I was discreet, and none of my friends had a problem with it. (until the day DS popped off and the blanket fell and my best friends husband got a good shot......LOL. I thought he was going to pass out.....LMAO.)

Veronica · 12-31-2006, 01:48 PM

I nursed Val as in infant in front of a friends older daughter...I think she's about 8-9, she asked what I was doing...I looked at my friend and got the okay to be honest so I told her. She asked if that is how she HAD TO feed her babies too, and I told her not if she doesnt want to...I told her that God made us this way, which was a great explanation for her since she had just started CCD (early catholic studies)...I can understand your not wanting to though Amanda...especially with the grandparents being the way they are.

Ellen · 12-31-2006, 01:57 PM

I wouldn't have a problem breastfeeding infront of older children. It's a natural thing. Maybe you will become more comfortable as time goes on. It's not like you will just pull out your boob and be fully exposed - you can be discreet about it in front of her.

Kat · 12-31-2006, 02:02 PM

I wouldnt have a problem with it, as long as I felt I was covered enough. LOL.
I dont know if I would let them call it a "special way" though

Sounds really creepy. Its natural not special.

Brandi · 12-31-2006, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Kat

I wouldnt have a problem with it, as long as I felt I was covered enough. LOL.
I dont know if I would let them call it a "special way" though

Sounds really creepy. Its natural not special.

I nursed in front of everyone... I had no choice. He nursed for 40+ minutes ata time and only took about 60-90 minute breaks in between the 40+ minute sessions

trevsnavywife · 12-31-2006, 02:44 PM

I nurse where ever and when ever (as long as it's safe ie: not in the car!) I feel that it's natural and if people feel wierd about it, and I don't that's their issue. I nursed refused to lock myself away...Would you want to eat with a blanket over your head??? Locked in a bathroom?? Sorry almost climbed up on my soapbox.

amandalaine · 12-31-2006, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by Kat

I dont know if I would let them call it a "special way" though

Sounds really creepy. Its natural not special.

Yea I agree with you on that...I have no idea where she got it from, she just asked DH one time "Is mommy feeding him the special way?" and he asked what she meant and she pointed to her chest and he was like "uhhh yea"

Then after that when I said I was going to feed him she'd go "the special way?" like every time....It was definately starting to creep me out, but I told her it was the way you do it naturally and she's not asking as much. But yea...has a creepiness factor to it!

Kaymara · 12-31-2006, 03:21 PM

In all the books I have read it states to not do it "secretly" when there is a sibling. They state that it can cause the sibling to not only feel ashamed of their body but feel pushed away and such. Now granted I dont have older children but I fully plan on nursing in front of Ethan. Yeah he is younger but I will explain what mommy is doing and have a special book or video or something for him to do in the same room while I nurse...

Its a personal preference I suppose

Good luck

trevsnavywife · 12-31-2006, 04:30 PM

Oh I wanted to add...My friend told her daughter when she had her son, "you know how momma gets milk from the fridge for you?" the little girl said, "Yes" "well brother is drinking momma's milk." That is kinda how I intend to address it with Katrina.

12-31-2006, 01:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
amandalaine Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 7,605 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 4% Longevity: 67%	Breastfeeding infront of older children I was just wanting other's thoughts on this...I'm nursing Preston while also having to entertain my stepdaughter(she's 6), but I personally don't feel comfortable nursing infront of her, so I'll usually tell her I'm going to feed the baby and will go do it in our room. She knows what I'm doing because she'll ask if I'm feeding him "the special way" and will point to the area on her....not really sure where she got that from but that's beside the point I think I mainly don't feel comfortable with it because she's not mine by blood and because of the fact that my in-laws are freaks and the first time she says "I saw mommy's boob" they'll flip out and that's NOT something I need to deal with right now. If she was younger or actually mine I probably would feel differently. So what about ya'll...do you nurse infront of your children that are older? If yes, would there be a cut off age for you at all?

12-31-2006, 01:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Laurie119 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,851 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 25% Longevity: 97%	My daughter was only 2 and a half when I had DS, and I had friends who had kids a little older than that and I had no issues with breastfeeding in front of them. But then, I didn't have a problem breastfeeding anywhere.....LOL. Don't get me wrong, I was discreet, and none of my friends had a problem with it. (until the day DS popped off and the blanket fell and my best friends husband got a good shot......LOL. I thought he was going to pass out.....LMAO.) __________________ Don't let the little things bug you, so what if he wants to go out with his friends for a couple of hours, or ** around on the computer, at least he's with you. So what if there's socks on the floor or the toilet seat is left up, at least he was there --Me Love is like a booger. You keep picking at it until you get it, then wonder what to do with it.** --Unknown

12-31-2006, 01:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Veronica Single and Lovin' it! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,003 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 58%	I nursed Val as in infant in front of a friends older daughter...I think she's about 8-9, she asked what I was doing...I looked at my friend and got the okay to be honest so I told her. She asked if that is how she HAD TO feed her babies too, and I told her not if she doesnt want to...I told her that God made us this way, which was a great explanation for her since she had just started CCD (early catholic studies)...I can understand your not wanting to though Amanda...especially with the grandparents being the way they are. __________________ We wont buy, while cats and dogs die. Save a life...get a shelter animal. YUM...

12-31-2006, 01:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ellen Loving Life! Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 21,995 Blog Entries: 4 Classifieds: (2) Activity: 6% Longevity: 64%	I wouldn't have a problem breastfeeding infront of older children. It's a natural thing. Maybe you will become more comfortable as time goes on. It's not like you will just pull out your boob and be fully exposed - you can be discreet about it in front of her. __________________ My Guys!!

12-31-2006, 02:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Kat stand barefooted in my own front yard with a baby on my hip Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 13,627 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 3% Longevity: 98%	I wouldnt have a problem with it, as long as I felt I was covered enough. LOL. I dont know if I would let them call it a "special way" though Sounds really creepy. Its natural not special. __________________

About Us

MilitarySOS Shortcuts

MilitarySOS Help

About MilitarySOS

12-31-2006, 02:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
trevsnavywife Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 4,666 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 95%	I nurse where ever and when ever (as long as it's safe ie: not in the car!) I feel that it's natural and if people feel wierd about it, and I don't that's their issue. I nursed refused to lock myself away...Would you want to eat with a blanket over your head??? Locked in a bathroom?? Sorry almost climbed up on my soapbox. __________________ Marla I HATE HUMIDITY!!!!!

12-31-2006, 03:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Kaymara Behind every keystroke is a real person Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 27,350 Classifieds: (7) Activity: 40% Longevity: 99%	In all the books I have read it states to not do it "secretly" when there is a sibling. They state that it can cause the sibling to not only feel ashamed of their body but feel pushed away and such. Now granted I dont have older children but I fully plan on nursing in front of Ethan. Yeah he is younger but I will explain what mommy is doing and have a special book or video or something for him to do in the same room while I nurse... Its a personal preference I suppose Good luck __________________ Surviving deployment #5

12-31-2006, 04:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
trevsnavywife Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 4,666 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 95%	Oh I wanted to add...My friend told her daughter when she had her son, "you know how momma gets milk from the fridge for you?" the little girl said, "Yes" "well brother is drinking momma's milk." That is kinda how I intend to address it with Katrina. __________________ Marla I HATE HUMIDITY!!!!!