Breast Feeding Ages

[Shell]

ECS~ You are the first breastfeeding mama, I have ever had the pleasure of knowing that doesn't automatically get defensive about nursing/BF'ing issues when they are mentioned.

Just because a provider has an issue with a parent being at her house early or later than they need to be, doesn't automatically mean the provider is anti-breastfeeding.

I FULY support breast feeding moms....I don't care if they do it until the child graduates from college....just don't make it something that affects MY program and/or the needs of the other kids in care.

I am GROUP care, that means I need to do what works best for the group verses one child.

I am a self-employed business owner, that means I need to run my program in a manner that works for ME, verses what works for one parent.

This situation has zero to do with nursing, breast feeding or extended nursing....it is about the time and space the parent is using that belongs to the provider.
It's that simple.

[Sugaree]

The WHO recommendations are in place because in many areas of the world water and food supplies are not up to standard. Better for a mother in Africa to breastfeed her 3 yo so he's getting *something* in his belly...
In addition there have been recent studies on breastfeeding that show its not the panacea motheringdotcom and the like would have you believe in terms of immunity. I am NOT saying that breastfeeding isn't wonderful. It is, I've done it twice but it's no magic wand.
Regardless of the op's personal feelings, there is NO reason for a toddler to be nursed at day care *especially* if the provider is expected to open early and close late for it. Just as I wouldn't allow a mom to come early to bottle feed her 2 year old...

I said that it's her choice to provide an area or not. If she doesn't want to then great. Trust me, after a long day at work I'd much rather hang out at home than in a nursing lounge or at anyone else's house either. What concerns me are some of the statements the OP made like

and I am not sure how I feel about a 2 1/2 year old breast feeding

and

I myself feel it is a comfort thing ...mainly for the mom ...

and

and I asked if the dg was getting any to eat from mom
she said yes
I giggled and said " now that is why she wont eat anything here "

and

I said I might have a problem ...maybe

There's just something about it that rubs me the wrong way. I'm really trying not to be defensive about it, and I recognize that a lot of my reaction is based on the kinds of remarks I get for nursing an 18 month-old in an area where breastfeeding past 6 months is very rare.

[Blackcat31]

Sugaree

Sugaree.... this is directed to you....

Have you considered registering for the forum?

You have had a lot of valuable input and another perspective here is always welcome!

There are also "perks" to being registered such as access to community groups, PM'ing abilities and access to the Off Topic and Private Area (after a set length of time and # of posts) as well as being able to access any of the attachments posted.

Just a thought...since I see you posting regularly.

[Sugaree]

Sugaree.... this is directed to you....

Have you considered registering for the forum?

You have had a lot of valuable input and another perspective here is always welcome!

There are also "perks" to being registered such as access to community groups, PM'ing abilities and access to the Off Topic and Private Area (after a set length of time and # of posts) as well as being able to access any of the attachments posted.

Just a thought...since I see you posting regularly.

You got me. I stumbled on this group when I was researching ways to stop my kid from biting. But I'm finding a lot of good advice on other things, so I stuck around.

[preschoolteacher]

I would welcome any parent at any time to come and breastfeed their baby. Maybe I am weird but I have zero issues with it and would be very supportive and I would not care if others saw it including the kids in my care. I am really not sure what the issue is?! She is providing comfort to her child. Is it because it's a breast and how much we as a society sexualized breasts? If she gave her kid a cookie and sat and let him eat it would that be an issue?

Maybe the mom has a long commute and wants to connect before and after daycare? Maybe she doesn't have a supportive partner at home? Who knows!

I have zero problems with breastfeeding. I personally nursed a toddler. I think it's great! I DO have a problem with extended drop off and pick ups, for whatever reason, because they are si disruptive.

[Blackcat31]

You got me. I stumbled on this group when I was researching ways to stop my kid from biting. But I'm finding a lot of good advice on other things, so I stuck around.

happyface happyface happyface happyface happyface

Glad to have you!!!

[mamamanda]

Boy, the breastfeeding questions always stir up quite a bit of debate. haha Thought I'd add my two cents. I am both a pro-breastfeeding mama and a child care provider and the two can work together, but I agree with several other posters that it doesn't need to take place at someone else's home daycare. I nursed my son until he was 2 and a half and the benefits have been very real for my family. I am now nursing my infant and will continue to do so for quite some time. That being said, I still wouldn't want a breastfeeding mama nursing during drop off or pick up at our home simply because of the disruption to my schedule. It has nothing to do with breastfeeding. I would encourage all mamas to nurse their toddlers, just not during my busy times of day. There has been a lot of research done though that shows some childhood diseases are almost unheard of among children who were exclusively breastfed. That doesn't mean breast fed kids don't get sick. There are so many other factors that come into play, environmental factors, what the mom eats, allergies, hereditary conditions etc. But there is a protection provided through breastmilk that is not found elsewhere. There are some studies in the works that are exploring the anti-cancer properties of human milk and regardless of where you live in the world, that is a wonderful gift to give a baby, toddler, or even a young preschooler. Also, I've found that when the children in my care get sick my children consistently fight it off within about 2 days where as the other kids are often sick 7-10 days so just because a bf child catches something or gets an ear infection doesn't mean the breastmilk didn't help the severity of the condition. So my opinion: Definitely feel free to nurse your 3 year old, just don't interrupt my daily routine. It can wait until you get home.

[Unregistered]

I am back
thank you for all the input
knowledge is power
the more we learn the better we can be as care givers and people

the one thing we must remember when communicating on a forum or texting ex
is that the tones, the meanings and questions are not always taken the way they where meant by the typer ....this I am teaching my 15 yr daughter ....who I nusrsed ..we weaned each other when she was about 1 1/2
and went to a cup .....so I truley did not know how long some people nursed

I do know that some people are not comfortable being around a nursing mother and some mothers will cover themselves even in a room full or woman and children and some will bare all around any one ...in this bussiness we have many types of poeple and we try to blend or centres and homes to accomidate every one and ourselves and the " business "
so yah didnt know if I had a problem or not ...I have men that also pick up their children and well may feel uncomfortable seeing a toddler standing on the floor feeding ...the older feeder may confuse the older children ex...........not all my children are angels
the comfort thing for the mom is remember this is also her first time leaving child with some one not family and first day care experience and I could tell she was not sure of it all
so with that said and being my nature I would never ever try to make her feel uncomfortable or worried about her child or uncertain...... and we have with all your input and my expeirence made some changes fast
yesterday at pick we where out side so they stayed a few mins and left no nursing and this morn ( I mentioned faster drop off last night ) she again just a few mins no sitting or nursing and my little child ate alot this am ...both mother and child doing great !!
thank you every one and PS wheres the spell check ????

[TheGoodLife]

I am back
thank you for all the input
knowledge is power
the more we learn the better we can be as care givers and people

the one thing we must remember when communicating on a forum or texting ex
is that the tones, the meanings and questions are not always taken the way they where meant by the typer ....this I am teaching my 15 yr daughter ....who I nusrsed ..we weaned each other when she was about 1 1/2
and went to a cup .....so I truley did not know how long some people nursed

I do know that some people are not comfortable being around a nursing mother and some mothers will cover themselves even in a room full or woman and children and some will bare all around any one ...in this bussiness we have many types of poeple and we try to blend or centres and homes to accomidate every one and ourselves and the " business "
so yah didnt know if I had a problem or not ...I have men that also pick up their children and well may feel uncomfortable seeing a toddler standing on the floor feeding ...the older feeder may confuse the older children ex...........not all my children are angels
the comfort thing for the mom is remember this is also her first time leaving child with some one not family and first day care experience and I could tell she was not sure of it all
so with that said and being my nature I would never ever try to make her feel uncomfortable or worried about her child or uncertain...... and we have with all your input and my expeirence made some changes fast
yesterday at pick we where out side so they stayed a few mins and left no nursing and this morn ( I mentioned faster drop off last night ) she again just a few mins no sitting or nursing and my little child ate alot this am ...both mother and child doing great !!
thank you every one and PS wheres the spell check ????

happyface Good for you! And yes, written word is often taken/read wrong. I'm glad you had a good day and I hope it continues smoothly for you all

[wonderfullisa]

regarding that particular position

Someone asked if the child standing while the mom sat was a normal position.

First, I would say that there is no 'normal', per se.
However, for me, it would not be. A child who is standing is in a prime position to take a step away, or turn, or twist, and I REALLY try to limit that. My nipples only stretch so far.

Also wanted to throw a little more pro-breastfeeding but anti people hanging out at my house off of the clock. I breastfed til 33m and then a couple weeks shy of 4 years. And the four year old was only cut off because I'm pregnant and it was starting to really hurt me.

I will also fully admit that I skimmed towards the bottom, but wanted to say that when/if you talk to the mom about it (or other people who read this later), focus on the hours issue, not the breastfeeding. As we have already covered, some people can easily get defensive about breastfeeding. Be clear that the root of the issue is the time she's spending there outside of her contracted hours.

[Crazy8]

I wouldn't care if the mom was breastfeeding, bottle feeding, spoon feeding a bowl of cereal or sitting to watch them eat a cookie…. none of that needs to happen at my house on MY time. Especially if its before my opening and after my closing times!!! I'd be charging by the minute for a parent to be in my house after closing for ANY reason.

Even an infant's feedings can be scheduled outside the daycare hours, a 2 year old absolutely can wait to get home for their "feeding".

I would let them mom know you 100% support her extended breastfeeding but you are not able to accommodate the time she is doing it in your home any longer and she will need to do it at home before arriving and after she gets home in the evenings.

[Leigh]

Even an infant's feedings can be scheduled outside the daycare hours, a 2 year old absolutely can wait to get home for their "feeding".

Exactly. Would you let a formula feeding mom stay and give her child a bottle? ANY child can wait until they get home. I know that **I** make sure that formula or BF kids are fed shortly before pickup so that they can make it home.