In contrast, my younger daughter has never seen anyone nurse a baby, though I have mentioned once or twice, when a neighbor cat had kittens, or when we see a nursing animal at the zoo, etc, that some moms (including me) feed their babies this way. I can tell that it is a foreign concept to her, and don't think that it's important for her to understand now. But I would prefer that she learn about it before she becomes a mom.

Maybe it is nothing to worry about. I'm probably oversensitive because when I had my kids, I caught a lot of static from my inlaws, none of whom nursed their children. My mother in law even bought my first baby some baby vitamins, "just in case", I guess because she didn't think that she would be getting the nutrients she needed. And if my mom hadn't breastfed me and my siblings, I may have doubted it, too. So I don't want it too seem too odd, and just wonder, for those of you with older children, if this is something you ever discuss with your daughters? Maybe it is OK to just wait until they are ready to have their own children? And just so no one flames me, I'm not knocking formula, just want all options to seem acceptable.

iammommy, 3 or 4 years old? I also find it odd to say the least. i wouldn't think fo breast feed children who can walk and talk and have teeth. So would they actually say" i am hungry" and mom would get breasts out to feed? Ouch

I breasfed both of my daughters until they could drink from a cup at about a year old, and I nursed my oldest at bedtime (even though I'm quite certain that I had no more milk) until she was two. She just liked the bonding and it helped her go to sleep.

I'll admit that it hurts like H--- for the first few weeks. I would even bleed. But if you can get past that, it's great...at least for me it was. It's really a personal decision.

Freeztag, I see nothing wrong with playing dolls with your daughter and showing her how you fed her and expaining that babies can eat that way too. I believe I've actually done this with my youngest daughter. When my youngest was a baby, I didn't do much "covering up" when at home nursing, and my older daughter would often sit with us while I breastfed and sometimes she watched, so she always knew about it, like your older daughter.

My mother said that when I was born doctors really promoted bottle feeding, but things have changed a lot since then, and I feel my OBs promoted breastfeeding if at all possible. You can even rent a breast pump from the hospital and insurance will usually pay for it.

So I wouldn't worry about it too much now, but if you want her to know about it, then by all means, let her know. At the very least she won't stare or make alarming comments if she ever does see a breastfeeding mother:)

Anyway. Too early to explain, no. To "promote" I think yes. Actually, I don't know that I'd ever actively promote breastfeeding to my daughter, or sons and their wives. My kids all understand the mechanics on their own age level, from "mommies make or milk babies" to "women lactate after pregnancy." But the decision of how to nurish their own children will be theirs, they can explore the options when it's their turn to be parents. I will answer questions if asked, certainly, provide support if asked. But I'll mind my own business about what they decide. I was not breastfed, was completely unfamilar, but still learned what to do and why all on my own. I was neither encouraged nor discouraged by my mother or other family. I was supported, as I was with all the parenting choices I've made.

When I was pregnant with my oldest, I took childbirth classes from a nurse who stressed to us that breastfeeding shouldn't hurt. When my son was born, this instructor wasn't available, the hospital lactation consultant was on vacation, and the breastfeeding did indeed hurt like h&%! It was way worse than the pain from my incision (c-section).

Every single nurse, doctor, etc. who came in my room, except for one, assured me that breastfeeding hurt. My friends assured me that breastfeeding hurt.

After 3 weeks, I had to bite my hand or arm to keep from screaming when I nursed. By this time the hospital lactation consultant returned, I called her and went to see her. She stuck her finger in my baby's mouth, tears came to her eyes, and she told me she knew how much it hurt. She gently pressed my wrist, and told me that's how it should feel. I was hurting so much, just the pressure of my shirt hurt, but she was able to latch my baby onto me so gently that it didn't hurt at all. It felt like an absolute miracle, and it didn't hurt at all.

Anyway, by the time I had my second baby, I knew that breast feeding shouldn't hurt. She was delivered in a different hospital, breastfeeding hurt with her, too (for a different reason it turns out), and when those nurses and the lactation consultant told me, "honey, it just hurts", I thanked them and called a private consultant. The private consultant was able to help tremendously. It didn't hurt at all.

So anyway, this is all probably TMI, but I do like to encourage young mothers-to-be to get help if they need it. I got so much wrong information I was aghast. Breastfeeding shouldn't hurt.

My oldest DD (when age 2) used to "breast-feed" her dolls due to me nursing her baby sister. She doesn't even remember doing it now.

Nothing wrong with explaining but don't need to encourage her now.