Its awkward but from a health point of view the longer the baby is breastfed the better for him but at 5 years old he/she isn't a baby anymore.

I really don't think that people who do extended breast feeding are sick or demented . I think it's a very innocent thing for them, a time for bonding just like it was when their children were babies. There is nothing sexual about it.

Breast feeding can't continue forever, but some parents are very hesitant to cut those ties. Breast feeding is a good thing. Extended breast feeding isn't the end of the world. Do I find it odd when I see older children nursing? Usually... it's not the normal around here. The only reason it isn't normal to nurse older toddlers and young children is for social and culteral reasons, not mental or physical ones. DO you think in countries where it is very common to practice extended breast feeding that there is something horribley wrong going on? I don't. But, it's awefully easy to judge someone who isn't doing things just like you , isn't it?

I think the only way it would be considered illegal is if a mom was breastfeeding her teenager.

ok thats just weird.
sorry but once there are teeth in my baby's mouth thats it.
I cant figure out how it can be comfortable for anyone to breastfeed after that.

my friend is still brestfeeding her baby she is 4 years old and i am still bathing with my son and he is also 4 years old there is nothing wrong about it if your child sees you tits you carried him for 9 months so he is yours. and i dont think milk dries up my son whas 3 years old stoped breastfeeding at 6 months and i still had milk i just had another baby aswell he is 11 months old stopped breastfeeding at 6 months and i still have milk. dont get me wrong everybody can say what they think but i dont think its wrong to still breastfeed if your child is 5 years old

I saw this the other night as a part of a 20/20 segment. One thing one psychologist brought up was a concern for developmental issues. He mentioned how a child needs to reach a point where they can learn to sooth themselves and tolerate frustration.

I personally knew a family where a daughter was breastfed late, and she was completely dependent to a fault on her mother for years. She was behind when it came to other children her age. Her mother actually experienced frustration because her daughter was not comfortable sleeping in her own room even at 10 years old. Today the girl is 17 and she's always had insecurity problems. I was really close to this family and my personal opinion is that she wasn't given the chance to learn how to be independent - it seems to line up with what this psychologist said.

Now on the other hand, I don't think it's right to call people who chose extended breastfeeding sick or demented. In our culture it might come as a shock because it's different, but these people are not doing this as some sick twisted thing. I personally wouldn't want to remember breastfeeding now as a grown woman, but I don't think these kids fall into the category of abuse of any kind.


You can watch that 20/20 segment here (you'll have to click "more" to the left of the navigation to see the breastfeeding segment):

ABC News: Watch '20/20' Friday Nights at 10 p.m.