How to talk to children about breastfeeding

It started with a conversation about a zombie apocalypse, because what good conversation about breastfeeding doesn’t bring up zombies?  The following exchange happened on the way to school yesterday and I took it as a good opportunity to explain to my two elementary-school aged boys what to expect when the new baby comes and mommy breastfeeds:
 
John: “You know, in a zombie apocalypse, the biggest danger is running out of food to eat. And babies cry too much so I think this new baby wouldn’t do too well.”
Mom: “But at least we wouldn’t have to worry about getting groceries for the baby—Baby will get all the food he or she needs from mommy’s milk.”
Conner: “What?! That’s crazy! Is the baby a cow?”
Mom: “No, but all mammals can drink milk from their mommies.  Don’t you remember seeing the goats at the zoo drink from their mommy’s teats?  And puppies drink from mommies.  And all the animals do, just like humans.”
Conner: “So, do you just pee out the milk??”
Mom: “No, it comes from my boobies.  Why do you think girls have breasts? Just for decoration?”
John: “Yes.”
Mom: “Well they don’t.  It’s to feed their babies, and that’s how your baby brother or sister will be fed too.”
Conner: “That’s cool.”
John: “But that doesn’t solve the baby crying and giving away our location to the zombies.”
 
Talking to kids about breastfeeding can be an uncomfortable subject for some parents, but why?  For most, at least subconsciously, it is because breasts have been sexualized, and we project our own feelings about that onto the subject of something as natural as breastfeeding.  But there are a few tips to help your older children understand breastfeeding.

• Start the conversation before the baby arrives.
• Use language that is simple and straight forward.
• Keep the older kids from feeling left out during the frequent and time-consuming breastfeeding sessions—this may involve reading a story to them while you are nursing, or letting them play for a quiet toy nearby.
• If applicable, tell them stories about how they were breastfed as a baby too.
• Relate breastfeeding back to something more tangible that they may have seen before, like animals feeding their babies.
• Several childrens’ books have been written on the subject.  One of these might help you approach the subject.

Have you had to explain breastfeeding to an older child, whether to prepare them for a new sibling, or to explain a mom nursing in public?  What techniques have you used?  In most cases, kids are unfazed by breastfeeding once they understand what is going on.  And then they’ll go back to more important topics, like how to survive a zombie apocalypse. 

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