How Do You Explain Nursing to Someone Else's Children?

I would tell her the truth. They learn early on that cows and other mammals feed their young. Why can't we?

I wonder the same thing with my baby. I explained it (as basically as possible) to my 4 year old on the day we came home from the hospital, but when other kids ask... I don't know what to say!
I try to just change the subject - most kids can be easily distracted!

I have answered this question a few times to curious children. This is what I say--depending on age of course. " I am feeding my baby. How? Its called nursing and the baby eats a special kind of milk that I make in my body. Oh ok. is usually sufficient. Or they say---I want some! Then it becomes---no, only little babies that belong to thier mamas get this special milk. :)
I just answer honestly and if the other parent is mad or offended, too bad! They should have explained that to their child.
Hope this helps!

M

"My breasts make milk for the baby to eat. Some moms feed that way and some moms feed from a bottle." That's what I have said every time I have been asked....and it seems like I get asked a LOT!
L.

Tell the truth. There's nothing shameful about it. There's nothing sexual about it. There's nothing socially unacceptable about it. You simply tell the truth. It's always your "place" to tell a simple, basic truth. I don't get the idea that it's not. Is it because the milk comes from breasts?

I had this conversation many times with other people's children without any problems.

"What is the baby doing/Why is the baby doing that?"
"The baby is eating."
"I don't see a bottle/that's weird/why would the baby suck on you that way?"
"That's because my body makes milk to feed the baby. Some moms feed their babies milk this way. Other moms use bottles."

I see no harm, ever, in sticking with the truth.

I would have told any age that asks, that the baby was nursing. And if they continued to show curiosity, I would give age appropriate answers.

Parents cannot and do not teach everything to their children, unless they are with them 24/7 and monitoring their every experience.

I would hope that when my child asks another parent a plain and simple question, that they will receive an honest and straight response.

I wonder if you are a little shy and therefore uncomfortable telling others, even 4 yr olds, the facts? Nursing is a completely normal part of the human development cycle, the bonding process, the nurturing between mother/infant. I can't imagine a grandparent or parent being 'furious' about learning. And IF that were ever to be the case, then, this is clearly THEIR problem and issue, not yours to deal with. You have enough on your plate with 3 kids, one being a newborn.

Congratulations on your sweet, growing family!!

Three little words, "Ask your Mom"

I really think that breastfeeding is normal and natural. I had to explain to some of my son's friends about nursing our baby - he had 4 and 5 year old friends when I brought my newborn home. I always covered up - and when I was asked what the baby was doing I said either nursing or eatting. If asked further, I explained that mommies make milk for new babies because new babies can't eat big kid food since they don't have teeth yet. No one ever asked to try nursing. I did have a few ask me if they had nursed as babies and for the most part I had to tell them to ask their own parents. If the parents are mad at you for telling the truth - these are not people you need in your life anyway!

I like Cara K's response. I would probably say it like that. "i am feeding my baby like the momma cow's feed their babies" and leave it at that.....
but your response was good too. I would never ever go into detail about nursing, religion or sex to someone else's child. That happened to me. My daughter was about 8 years old and my best friend took it upon herself to explain to my daughter how cats mated... I WAS FURIOUS!! Not her place to say that to my kid, best friend or not!

I said exactly what Laura said.

hi,

I nursed all my kids up to age two or three ,so i did get asked a lot.If the mom is near by i let the mom handled it.If not,I will say the baby is drinking milk...? Kids: Can she not have normal food or a bottle or something ......Me: Well, this is normal food for her(the baby)...when mommy have their baby in their tummy ,the mommy body works really hard to produce milk to feed her baby when he is here....I usually get oh Ok from the youger kids or can i see or can i taste it?
For the see part i would ask them to ask mom if it was ok and most of the time they don't come back or they will with the mom that is usually very apologatic like the kid has done something bad or something (kids are curious and there is nothing wrong with it) .And if the kids still wants to see and it's ok with the mom ,i do not mind.Breastfeeding is a normal ,not sexual act that needs to be seen as a normal activity.Breastmilk IS normal food for a baby or even a toddler.LOL.
And if they want a taste I explain that each mommy has milk for their own babies only....
Breastfeeding needs to be more common .LOL.
N. ,mom of 4 ,8 and under ,all nursed well into toddlerhood and even tandem nursed sometimes...

Depends. If the child is enthralled with the question, then sure, go ahead and explain the reality. As generally as you can, or let the grandma take over.

If, as it seems in this case, the child really isn't THAT curious, just was asking a question and was ready to move on to something else after getting "an answer"... then let it go. What you did is fine.

I would have simply told her that a mommy's body makes food for the baby.

Hi C., I think you handled the situation beautifully. Sort of letting them take the lead.
Anyhow, kids are naturally curious and there's nothing shameful about breastfeeding :) FWIW, I can't imagine anyone being 'furious' with you if you had briefly explained what you were doing.
Something to consider regarding the 'sleeping' answer is that they might make a dangerous association of 'sleeping baby' with 'cover face with blanket'... For example, they might see a baby sleeping some other time and decide 'oh, I need to cover the baby! That's what they do when they sleep' and then the baby won't be able to breathe :( It may seem like a long shot but that's how accidents happen. Just my two cents. I have known too many families who've lost babies to SIDS and other causes of infant death, so I guess I am always thinking in those terms, assessing risks, etc. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best with your precious family and your curious neighbors ;)

Put a sign on your front door, saying "baby sleeping/eating. No visitors."

i probably would have told them very simply, but maybe you could tell the grandmother what happened and ask what she would have wanted you to say.

Not your place to explain to the children of others.
"Sleeping" would be the polite response for next time.

i would say she is drinking milk from her mommy. and leave it at that. and then I would tell the grandmother what you said. I had a neighbor kid that did that, and I told her mom in case there were questions at home, turns out her kids were nursed, but they haven't been around babies, so they had no idea.

I go through this with my neighbor's kids EVERY SINGLE TIME I nurse. It's starting to drive me nuts. Lol. That said, the first time it happened, the mom was right next to me. She told her 5 year old that she would explain it to her when she got older, so now that gets to be my standard answer to her. "Your mom will explain it to you when you're older."

When I was breastfeeding my daughter I remember my neighbours being over one day and I had to take my daughter inside to feed her. Well my neighbours little girl (she was 5-6 at the time) said she wanted to come. Well I just looked at her Dad and said I dont think its such a good idea - wink wink and he said no no dont worry about she has to learn sometime right. Well now how do you say no to a kid at this point. So I was forced into teaching this little girl about what breastfeeding is all about. I am a serious prude and private person and I cant even remember what I said to her but I totally get where you are coming from. It was a very uncomfortable feeling and I chewed out my neighbour for putting me in such a position Grrrr