Is it alright to breast feed a 10 year old child?
Dr Vidya Gupta
Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist,
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital,
New Delhi
Consultant Paediatrician & Neonatologist,
Indraprastha Apollo Hospital,
New Delhi
Q: I recently visited my native place and was surprised to find out that my sister-in-law, a housewife, who also works in the fields is still breast feeding. Her two sons aged 10 and 8 years old were both in their mothers lap, nursing as she sat and rested. On telling her to stop breast feeding as the boys are grown up and need solid foods more, she said no problem 'I find it easier to breast feed and the kids love it as they can feed anytime anywhere'. Also, how to take care of the breasts in the event where there is excess milk in the breast which begins to drip.
A:At the age of 8 or 10 years a child should not be breast feeding at all. If there is milk dripping it is a natural phenomenon and nothing needs to be done as such about it.