Need help explaining nursing to older children

[Sister]

My four year old stepdaughter is a little TOO interested in what's going on when I breastfeed the baby. I've explained to her that mommies make milk to feed their babies and whatnot, but whenever she spies me nursing she runs over, rips off the blanket, and makes to inspect the goings on.

This makes me REALLY uncomfortable. I try to nurse in the bedroom with the door shut, but I just can't always do that. What can I tell her to get her to give me some privacy without having her think that nursing is something to be "hidden" and shameful? Any tips?

[kelkat]

My sons are 9 and 7, and I have a homeschool group get together once a week with kids ranging in age from newborn to 14. I think the curiosity is natural. My boys were intrigued, in the beginning. Now it's old hat for them. They don't even really notice. I started out making them leave the room, atleast until the baby was latched on. Now, I don't even do that and they don't really pay attention.

I did notice that one of the little girls in our group was extremely intrigued by my breastfeeding. She stopped playing to come over and watch. For me, personally, it was no big deal. She wasn't staring at my breast, but she was watching the process of me feeding the baby - if that makes since.

Since that first time, she hasn't paid much attention. Maybe if you don't try to get away from your stepdaughter then she might not be as interested. (some people always seem to want what they can't have).

[Melos]

A tough one - four year olds don't really understand the concept of privacy. Maybe you could explain to her that she is being rude by ripping the blanket off of you and disrupting the baby's meal. Compare it to her eating her lunch and someone ... oh I don't know... taking away her chair suddenly or something.

[Sister]

Thanks. It helps to undestand that she's not neccessarily peeking at my breasts, and I could definetly use the "lunchtime" analogy. Good tips!