Thomas: Breastfeeding Advocate at Age 7

This story is much more amusing if you read it first and then look at the picture, so resist the urge to scroll down and see it before you get done reading.

We all know that breastfeeding is best.  We also know that as a culture, a lot of kids don’t get exposed to the idea of breastfeeding until they hit the age where they have some sort of formalized sex education.  By then it sounds as weird and private as sex does.

Not so with my Thomas.  Having two younger siblings back to back that were attached to me during an age when he can remember and talk about it has completely normalized breasts as a feeding mechanism for him.  While he understands that they aren’t something to be paraded around exposed, he also doesn’t run (or get run) from the room when mine are being utilized in their most functional manner either.  In fact he’s recently had to be taught that unless he owns the breasts, he doesn’t get to offer them up as an option to little Daniel.

Now on to the cute story. 

So Thomas and his friend we drive to school every morning were in the back of the van looking at a National Geographic magazine making up silly songs about it. I’m listening and I hear:

Friend: Oh oh oh. I’m naked. With my bootay.

Thomas: (interrupting) That’s not a butt. It’s a breast.

Friend: What’s he doing with a boobie?

Thomas: (sighs) It’s called nursing. (said nice and slowly and clearly and it sounded like there was an eye roll involved) It’s completely normal. Babies drink milk from their mommies. Lots of babies nurse. Daniel (my 18mo) nurses. It’s not something to make fun of.

Friend: Um. Ok….Oh oh oh. I’m snuggling. With my boobie. Drinking my milk.

I’m not sure if he got the message or not, but I have to give Thomas points for trying! 

And for your viewing pleasure and amusement, here is the picture they were discussing:

Nope.  It wasn’t one of those tribal pictures at all!