FEATURES
6A
Teen wants to breastfeed, too
Dear Annie: My wife and I
are expecting our fourth child.
She is a irm believer in breast-
feeding and plans to do so when
our baby arrives. Our oldest
child, “Travis,” was 3 years old
when his irst sibling was born.
My wife continued to breast-
feed him along with the baby,
and continued to do so through
the birth of our third child, born
when Travis was 5. I thought
it was a little odd, but I did not
object.
Travis is now 13 years old.
A few weeks ago, he asked his
mom if he could breastfeed like
he did when he was little. He
told her he remembers it and
loved how safe he felt. He said
he wants to feel that closeness
with her again.
When she told me, I thought
she was joking. But she was dead
serious and had already told him
“yes.” I do not agree with this
and have expressed my con-
cerns. Travis is a boy in the mid-
dle of puberty who has suddenly
become girl crazy. I cannot help
but feel there is a sexual com-
ponent to this. I had hoped her
obstetrician would side with me,
but we asked about it, the doctor
replied, “I admit it is unusual to
Annie’s
Mailbox
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
Kathy
Mitchell and
Marcy Sugar
breastfeed a child at that age, but
it is not likely it will harm him.”
Am I unreasonable to think a
teenage boy doesn’t belong any-
where near his mom’s breasts?
Please help me learn to accept
this or to get my wife to rethink
it. She has agreed to listen to
your advice. — An Unreason-
able Husband
Dear Husband: The obstetri-
cian was undoubtedly respond-
ing solely to the nutritional ben-
eits of breastfeeding. No, the
milk will not harm him. But
emotionally and psychologi-
cally, your wife is setting Travis
up for years of psychotherapy.
It’s not like your wife has been
breastfeeding Travis for the past
13 years. This is a recent request.
Yes, of course, there is a sexual
component, even if it’s subcon-
scious and unintentional. The
boy is 13. Girls are on his mind.
We guarantee female breasts are
on his mind. Mom should not let
him practice on her. It can cre-
ate all kinds of physical sensa-
tions and attachments, not only
for him, but also for Mom, none
of which is emotionally healthy.
Mom - if you’re listening, please
put your child irst. Indulging
this request doesn’t do either of
you any good. It’s OK to say
“no.” Simply tell Travis that he’s
too old to do what babies do.
Surely, you can help him feel
safe and loved in a more age-ap-
propriate way. You also can dis-
cuss this with Travis’ pediatri-
cian, who might have a better
handle on a teenage boy’s emo-
tional health.
Dear Annie: When I eat out,
am I supposed to cut a ham-
burger in half before eating? I
have done this, but it makes it so
messy to eat. — M.
Dear M.: Sandwiches (espe-
cially hamburgers) can be eaten
whole, unless doing so would
require a bib or a larger mouth.
Most folks would cut a grilled
cheese sandwich, for example,
but if cutting a hamburger makes
it too sloppy, then by all means,
don’t do it.
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2016
Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Your imag-
ination will stretch into visual and musical
directions. You’ll explain the world in artis-
tic, interesting and colorful ways — even
the mundane parts.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Write the
goal that is in your heart down on paper.
It’s better if your destination is committed
in this way. Without a set destination and
estimated time of arrival, there is no flight
plan.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Maybe there
are no stupid questions, but there are
smart ones. Ask the question that wants to
be asked and the answer will ring out like a
marvelous celebration of church bells.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You could
face and overcome your opposition, but it
would take an awful lot of energy. It’s prob-
able that this battle is not important in the
scheme of things. Conserve your personal
power.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). The opinion you
voice may turn out to be wildly unpopular.
In fact, you may stand alone in your views.
But what if you’re the only one who’s right?
Time will tell, but until then you’ll certainly
make the others think differently.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Today, when
someone tells you the truth, but not the
whole truth, it’s a test to see how well
you’re listening. If you listen well enough,
you can, and really should, tease the
whole truth out.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). It takes some-
one special to appreciate the beauty in
and/or take advantage of today’s precious
opportunity. You are aesthetically in tune
and in a position to touch a one-of-a-kind
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
item or gain access to a rare commodity.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Join the
group. What’s good for others will be good
for you. You’ll love the feeling of belonging
and be very pleased with what you’re able
to accomplish by contributing to the larger
picture.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You’ll
radiate warmth and charisma, though in a
quiet way that will most suit today’s con-
servative surroundings. The size of your
gesture may be subliminally small and ev-
eryone will feel it anyway.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). If the
first answer doesn’t satisfy you, get anoth-
er without hesitation ... and another still.
You’ll be rewarded for your persistence
and your high standards.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Speak up
about your preferences. Let yourself have
one of the indulgences you so enjoy. Take
your leisure time more seriously and it will
reward you more richly.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). You’ll make
your way around the obstacles by applying
what you’re so good at. You’ve a talent for
finding easy compromises and executing
fast adjustments.
TUESDAY’S BIRTHDAY (JUNE 7). You’ll
attract big love and appreciate the care of
one who watches over you this year. Your
gentle lifestyle changes will stick. Little by
little, you’ll find your way to a better level of
vitality. A new teacher will come into your
life in August — someone younger. Octo-
ber offers the means to travel in style. Jan-
uary is your lucky break. Libra and Pisces
adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 4, 25,
44, 39 and 16.