Older dd's pretending to breastfeed

[gardengirls]

I am asking for some advice on how to handle this from other breastfeeding moms with older DD's. My girls of course see me nursing my infant all the time. They have always pretended to breastfeed their dolls and I look on proudly that I am teaching them that breastfeeding is natural. Anyway recently they have started playing baby where one of them is the baby. I noticed today they are breastfeeding each other. I am not sure how to handle this and I am a little uncomfortable with it, they are actually sucking on each other's nubs. I told them to just pretend, but they don't understand because breastfeeding is pretty much all they know, and again proud mom, it's completely natural to them. So advice time....am I over-reacting and should just let them play uninteruppted or should I be consistent with making them pretend when breastfeeding each other. Thanks....

[smom050811]

Hmm... that's tough. Maybe tell them that it's ok to pretend, but that only babies actually suckle? I mean, I want my daughter to know that breastfeeding is ok! In fact I hope she remembers and breastfeeds her babies! She "nurses" her dolls all the time (which her father is a real meanie about, btw) but that's a little different. Maybe they just need a few more doll babies to nurse? I don't know... but I hope you can figure it out!

[adavieau]

Hmmm, I know its innocent but that would make me a little uncomfortable too. I think if it were me I'd just emphasize that its great to pretend with dolls but not to do it on each other and not really go into any more detail than that unless they asked why and then I'd mention that their "breasts" are private parts and only for them (or their babies when they grow up) to touch.

[carolineb]

My boys 4 and 6 have done this too! I actually laughed the first time I saw them do it because I totally didn't expect it. But they were playing baby too. I think it's pretty innocent and we just talked about how only mommies can do that and that if they ever get married and have children to support their wives with nursing. Mine didn't actually do any suckling they just pretended. They really don't do it much anymore. I guess the novelty has worn off and I don't react to it anymore.

[My Sweet Blessings]

My oldest would pretend to nurse his babies when he saw me nursing his brother. he never actually did it with anyone, just his babies. Him doing that with another person would make me uncomfortable. I would do as pp suggested and say that only real babies actually suckle, but pretend is ok.

[crunchymomof3]

Originally Posted by adavieau Hmmm, I know its innocent but that would make me a little uncomfortable too. I think if it were me I'd just emphasize that its great to pretend with dolls but not to do it on each other and not really go into any more detail than that unless they asked why and then I'd mention that their "breasts" are private parts and only for them (or their babies when they grow up) to touch.

Originally Posted by My Sweet Blessings My oldest would pretend to nurse his babies when he saw me nursing his brother. he never actually did it with anyone, just his babies. Him doing that with another person would make me uncomfortable. I would do as pp suggested and say that only real babies actually suckle, but pretend is ok.

ITA with both PP

[gardengirls]

Thanks for the advice. I am going to go with the private parts talk and tell them it's ok to pretend, but actually touching other's privates is not ok.

[susannah]

My DS and DD have done this with each other. (And DD is still a nursling) It made me uncomfortable, too. We just kept repeating that it was okay to pretend but that they shouldn't actually suck on each other. They just think it's hilarious to pretend to be the baby (or mommy) though. I know it's probably harmless, but it still wierds me out.

[hippieintraining]

I agree with the PPs!! I'd maybe even add that it's a special thing they'll get to do when they're moms but can pretend with their dolls in the meantime.

[MissyMia]

I have only experienced my dd pretending with a baby, and I think it is cute when she switches sides. It would make me uncomfortable if I saw her and someone else acting out the real thing though. I would maybe just emphasize pretending with a baby doll and not another person. Like give each girl a baby doll and tell them to feed their babies together. I have tried the private parts talk with my dd who is 3.5 years old (advised by our pedi) and it goes right over her head.