by Stephanie Davis

Created on: May 24, 2010   Last Updated: May 25, 2010

The message to any pregnant or new mother is the "breast is best " mantra. Nobody will dispute that breast milk is the best for babies ideally. However, when to stop breastfeeding is a heated issue in the general society.  The America Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 monthes and to continue at least for the first year if possible.

For the past year it is reccommended for as long as is mutual for mom and child.  It is the however long as mutually desired that sparks often a very heated debate.

When one thinks of a mom nursing a child in America most often the picture that comes to mind is that of a  newborn or young infant under a year old at their mother's breast.

Their formula fed counter parts are often pressured to be weaned around the time of their first birthday for fear of baby bottle mouth decay, even if the child themselves are not ready and find it a comfort.

This is indeed a double standard given that comfort and a child not being ready are two reasons to promote extending breastfeeding and does not give an age when extended breastfeeding becomes inappropriate and borders on being sexual abusive. 

Many advocates of extended nursing would be offended by the notion of considering breastfeeding a form of child molestation even if that child is preschool or kindergarten age.

There is a British made documentary of a woman who is breastfeeding her daughters ages 5 and 8 respectfully. Dr. Phil a few years back had featured a lady that was nursing her school aged child who would come off the soccer field and be nursed. 

Even for some of the most passionate breastfeeding advocates this is extreme and inappropriate. I have talked to women online and in real life that are still nursing their 3 and 4 year olds.

When they talk about the reasons, it's not the nutritional value of breast milk at that age, but more the emotional and attachement issues of either the mom or child. Often these kids are eating table food mostly but use breastfeeding as a security blanket.

Some children may be ready to finally wean but it is the mother who has issues and wants to continue with nursing. Let's face it's easier to wean a baby from the bottle than the breast.

So when is a child too old to be breastfed? I think a good number of people would agree that a child should be weaned from breast or bottle around the time they turn 2 years old.

By this age they should begin to learn some independence and self-reliance

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