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Milk Meg shares how she coped when her four year old “who “still” breastfeeds to sleep” headed off to Kindergarten.

You may remember a recent story on “Milk Meg” who works closely with women to help them reach their breastfeeding goals. She is a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

We shared the cute image of her comfort feeding her nephew after it sparked a bit of controversy.

Meg shares with her followers how she coped when her four year old “who “still” breastfeeds to sleep” headed off to Kindergarten.

“Still” waking early for his “sun up” boobie. The first day he started at school, he woke like every morning. Looking for me. He found me at the computer, in the middle of a breastfeeding consultation with someone across the world. He didn’t bat an eyelid, just hopped up and breastfed as if  we were still in bed.”

Just 2 hours later he was at preschool for his first day without me.

“He didn’t want to go home. Every time I peeked into his classroom or went in to say hi he was happy as could be. This child who has been attached at the hip and boob only away from me for long periods a handful of times in his whole life…completely at ease and happy.  The child who “still” breastfeeds to sleep. Yes, he is breastfeeding. And he is also independent. The two are not mutually exclusive.”

“Mothering through breastfeeding facilitates the growth of a baby, into a toddler, into a small child heading off to preschool. It creates a bond, a relationship that is unlike any other because all of their needs are met at the breast.”

“Don’t worry about your little attached child. Don’t fret that your baby will never leave you. Because they will. Cuddle those babies of yours. They might head off to school still breastfeeding like my little one. And you know what? I’m so happy he is. This morning before he got dressed for pre-school he hopped into my bed and breastfed (on both sides of course) for about 20 minutes. That will be his only breastfeed today until he heads off to sleep tonight. He still finds comfort, he still find security, he still looks up at me with his big blue eyes while breastfeeding and is content. And so am I.”

Read the full post and get tips from Meg on –  What it’s like sending my breastfeeding, “attached” little boy off to preschool…

Share your comments below.

Image via The Milk Meg

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  • wow well done, as long as your both happy

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  • I have no theoretical problem with this, although it’s not for me.

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  • It works particularly well for little ones who are lactose intolerant. Not all little ones adapt to lactose free formula. A friend of mine breastfed until her son was about 2 y.o. then he slowly self weaned. before the end he looked for one good long feed every few days. He seemed to realise that her milk supply was gradually dwindling.

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  • I do miss feeding my little ones. I fed my youngest for 17 months and stopped because I had to have surgery. She still doesn’t sleep in my bed though.

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  • I fed my eldest two until they were around the 1 year old mark….the eldest about 14mths the middle child right about 1 year. My third child weaned herself at 9mths. She just decided one day that she was done. No warning…nothing…omg…I was a bit sore for a a couple of days but we got there in the end.

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  • I have to admit, this kinda creeps me out, it’s not something I considered for my kids. Not that I’m anti those who do it, each to their own as long as it’s not hurting anyone. Now he’s at school, I would be thinking of the possibility of him being bullied for this. Maybe time to think who it’s really benefitting now, mum or child

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  • I am envious of her. I wish I could have breastfed my two girls, but unfortunately I had no supply. So good on her.

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  • raising children is such an individual way of life isn’t it – everyone does exactly what works for them because that is what we need to do – we shouldn’t condemn or judge people who may still breastfeed for a lengthy period of time, or co-sleep, or bottle feed, or use formula – as long as well all produce happy healthy children – the same end goal :)

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  • My 3yo has been in childcare 2 days per week since 14mo. we still breastfeed and cosleep. He feeds to every sleep when with me but has no problems sleeping in childcare. He’s fine without it when away from me. But when with me he still feeds numerous times during day and night.

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  • That’s great that it worked out do well

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  • My boy breastfed as well until he was 6 years old, last 2 years only before bed. I only talked about this with some very close friends as in general I found it’s not really accepted to breastfeed a bit older child. He stopped breastfeeding when he was ready and I agree that there’s independence in making this choice himself.

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  • The main thing is the child and mother are happy with what is going on. He knows what he wants and his mother is willing to do so for him. Wish i had been able to do this with some of my children who did not have younger siblings. Or age that has worn me down. For young mums it should be what suits.

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