Explaining Breastfeeding to Kids

Did they see it somewhere and asked what's going on? Otherwise it seems a little early to have to.
Explain in terms that are age appropriate. Mommys have everything a baby needs. Or....that's how a baby eats dinner, but it's only for babies, not big kids.
To be fair, explain also that some moms feed babies with a bottle.

Make it a mini science lesson. Tell them we are mammals and mammals feed milk to their young. Calves, lambs, kids (baby goats), kittens, puppies, baby horses, bear cubs, even baby whales all drink their mothers milk. Then go visit a farm park or a zoo in the spring sometime.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3DWRhfNm4c

This ^ is a cute skit on sesame street from 1977.

There is a 6 year gap between my younger brother and I. I'm not sure how my mom explained breastfeeding to me, but I know I never thought twice about it. I wanted to share a story though from one of my college roommates. When her youngest brother was born she was about 5 or 6 years old and she wanted to know what her little brother was doing. Her mom explained by showing her how the milk came out of her breast. According to my roommate, this was a little too much information for her. She was curious at the time, but looking back it freaked her out a little. So, I would agree with previous posters, a simple explanation will probably be good enough.

There's an almost 5 year gap between my children and I too wondered if this would be an issue. But I went the earthy route and simply said, "All moms can feed their babies this way. Your mom, cat moms, pig moms, gorilla moms. And cow moms. And did you know the milk in the refrigerator that you drink is cow mom milk?" He seemed amused and content.

I've always felt the easiest way is the best. If it were me I'd say,"Some babies get their food from mommies breasts."
There are several good books for children about babies and animal babies. I wouldn't get too technical. That might just be confusing.

Matter-of-fact and simple is best. They will ask more if they want more information. Be ready for imitation though - my daughter would sometimes try to nurse her dolls.

if you are a open family i don't see why not... Give them credit if you nursed all of them they already have an idea. I have a 9,7,5, and 2 and that has been a big subject almost my whole pregnancy and they understand what I need to do when the baby comes. How the baby will get feed. The two little ones think its fascinating.

I am pregnant and have a 6 and 4 year old. I told them that when the baby comes he will feed off mommys breasts because mommy makes milk and thats where it comes from. I told them I did it for them and its healthy for the baby and for mommy. I also told them thats why mommies have breasts and daddies dont. They looked at me and said cool, can we help give him a bath!

I nursed too and was always open and honest with my older kids that this is how babies get milk the same as puppies, kittens, etc. They never thought twice about it.

Good luck!

My stepson was turning 6 when my daughter was born. We just told him that i was feeding his sister, and left it at that. He wasn't allowed in he room when I nursed her and that was more of we didn't want to hear things from his mom at all, about me nursing. Didn't want her to say that it was sexual in any nature so we took that precaution. (and yes that would be something she would have tried)

My daughter is now 2 and will be 2 1/2 when the next baby is born and I plan on telling her that this is how mommy's feed babies. i do pump so my husband can give the baby a bottle as well, but she will see that mommies and daddies do things differently.

Just be simple and only give the info they want to know. The 5 and 6 year old may ask more questions than the 3 year old, but i dont' think they really will ask too much.

I tell my kids 8, 5, and 2 that the baby drinks special mommy milk... Thats how God made it. But some babys don't, they drink formula out of bottles. The important thing is that baby is getting special food (mommy milk or formula) to help them grow strong until they are old enough to eat food like they do.
Keep it simple. If they want more info they will ask when they are ready.

Tell them God made mommies so that their bodies make their own milk for their babies. You could get a simple book about having a new baby sibling that includes nursing in it. Dr. Sears makes a great one called "What Baby Needs". It has very decent, simple pictures (drawings) and reads like a story book. I shows a mother breastfeeding her baby. I read it to my 2 year old and she asked questions as we read. I used those questions as my cues for how much to tell her. She totally understood what breastfeeding was by the time her brother was born, and she was quite prepared for it. She also thought I was very talented, because one day when I was nursing, she pointed to me and said, "That one milk, that one juice." Ok, she may have had a LITTLE confusion!

Let them see animals do it - in person would be best, but maybe you can find a video or I'm sure you can find something online, on You Tube or something. I've learned that equating things to what animals do makes it seems very natural - a dog nursing her new litter of puppies (awwww). All mammals make milk for their babies!!!!

Just keep your answer as matter of fact as possible. Something along the lines of, "Mommies make milk for their babies. This is how you feed a baby." etc. They won't think anything of it. If it's normal to you, it's normal to them. Don't hide in another room, cover the breast etc. It's not something to hide or be shameful or embarrassed about. It really is quite normal. Congratulations on your new little one.

You simply say that God created alot of mommies to make milk and that is how we are supposed to feed our babies. Tell them it is the best food for the baby. They are innocent and will take it at that. It is not a big deal. It is human nature and I would never think about hiding in a room to nurse, that is plain ridiculous. That is what is wrong with society today. Don't take what God gave us and make it anything that it's not. It is a beautiful thing. Good for you!

They probably won't even question it. My older son freaked out when he seen someone at a restaurant giving a baby a bottle. He thought she was putting sand into the bottle for the baby when he seen her dump formula into hte water. LOL

If its an everyday thing, which it should be, they won't even question it. If they ask, just say that your body makes the perfect food for the baby, thats why mommies have breasts.

I saw my mom nurse my younger siblings many times while growing up and never thought anything of it..."Mom was just feeding the new baby" Just be honest and natural about it.

I answered questions as they came up while I was feeding my daughter.

I find that kids don't want a long dragged out, technical, explanation. Just say that mommy makes milk especially for baby, and this is how he gets it. Chances are, this will suffice.