There have been a lot of questions over the last few weeks about how children who breastfed long enough to remember having done so feel about it.  Anna and Simon were happy to share about their breastfeeding experiences, and if you’ve got other questions, please post them in the comments and I’ll ask them!

I was definitely ready when Anna and Simon each stopped breastfeeding, because I was nursing a younger sibling each time (I had my three children in 5 years, almost to the day).  Both of them nursed through their first year of pre-K, which I was thankful for – they were still so young and since I worked full-time, leaving them in a school setting for a full day, 3 days a week was hard for me no matter how well I knew they were being nurtured there. Taking a few minutes to nurse when we all got home gave us the chance to reset and relax.  Could we have done that without breastfeeding?  Sure — but I don’t think we would have.  Breastfeeding sort of guaranteed that pause between the workday and the chaos of being home.  I was also really thankful we had breastfeeding to see us through their first major exposures to a classroom of kids (and germs).  Each of them weaned during the summer between pre-K years, after conversations with me (and with Anna, in Simon’s case!).  Both of them had lost their ability to latch and transfer milk; this was especially obvious in comparison to the younger sibling, who was breastfeeding efficiently.  While they weaned from breastfeeding, in the ensuing days, weeks, and months, we still spent a commensurate amount of time sitting together in our “milk chair,” being close and sharing a few moments when they might otherwise have breastfed.  As they wind down 4^th grade and 2^nd grade, Anna and Simon still enjoy (and, at times, demand!) regular hugs, kisses, and snuggles with me.  I’m happy to be their “home base.”

How old were you when you weaned?

Anna:  I don’t know, around 3-ish?  (She was 3 years, 8 months, and 5 days.  Her weaning was very intentional and definite.)

What do you remember about weaning?

Anna:  I remember not being sure if I was going to, but I finally decided to wean, and I yelled to daddy, “I weaned!”  I felt good that I had done a big-girl thing, but then I felt sad when I saw Simon still nursing and I couldn’t.  I remember telling him that weaning was the worst decision I ever made in my life, but I don’t think that anymore.

What do you remember about breastfeeding?

Anna:  It helped me stay healthy, helped me fall asleep at night.  When I was sad, it cheered me up.

What did you like best about breastfeeding?

Anna:  I still love your smell, and it reminds me of when we used to nurse.  I liked that it was with my mom, and I liked the taste.  I used to say it tasted like macaroni.  I liked how it made me feel – comfy and relaxed.  I super-liked that we did it a lot, and that you were always happy to nurse me, even if it was the middle of the night and you were tired. (Anna really did nurse “a lot.”  I’m glad she was first because I might have been worried about her had she followed one of the less-needy children.)

Do you remember sharing breastfeeding with Simon?

Anna:  Sometimes, but not really.

How do you feel when you see other people breastfeeding?

Anna:  I feel like, “hooray!”  I feel happy because that child must be healthy and happy and that mother wasn’t afraid to do what was best for her child, even in front of strangers.

Will you breastfeed your babies?

Anna:  Of course!  And I’m going to ask you to help me … if I have babies … which I probably will.

What do you want people to know about breastfeeding?

Anna:  That when you breastfeed, it will make you happy and proud.

A few weeks after their tandem nursing days ended: Simon, 2; Anna, almost 4

How old were you when you weaned?

Simon:  Um, around like, 4, I think?  (He was 3 years and 10 months old, but did ask a few other times after that – he didn’t remember how to latch on, though.)

How did you feel about weaning?

Simon:  I felt OK, because I could have other foods, but I missed it sometimes when I saw my little sister nursing.

Anna interrupts: Do you still miss it?

Simon:  Yeah, a little, but I’m older now, and I don’t need to nurse.

What do you remember about breastfeeding?

Simon:  I remember that it really helped me!

How?

Simon:  It helped me when I was having a hard time.

What was your favorite thing about breastfeeding?

It made me feel safe, like I’m at home with my mom.

What’s breastmilk good for?

Simon:  It’s magic milk!  It’s good for pink eye, ear aches, and generally keeping you healthy.

What would you tell other people about breastfeeding?

It makes you healthy, gives you a better future, you know, not as many allergies, that stuff.  And that they should really breastfeed.  I loved nursing.

Do you remember sharing breastfeeding with your sisters?

Simon:  No, not really.  (Anna weaned when Simon was about 6 weeks shy of 2; Simon and Gabriella tandem nursed for about 8 months.)

How do you feel when you see someone breastfeeding?

Simon:  I feel great, like, WOW!  They’re nursing!

For an academic study of older childrens’ perceptions of breastfeeding, check out Dr. Karleen Gribble’s ‘As good as chocolate’ and ‘better than ice cream’: how toddler, and older breastfeeders experience breastfeeding