Vault: Breast Feeding

Summary

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The Bert Show — Vault: Breast Feeding

Episode Date: October 31, 2025
Host: Pionaire Podcasting
Key Cast: Bert, Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy, and the Bert Show Cast
Main Guest: Jill

Overview

This episode dives deep into an unusual and highly debated parenting choice: extended breastfeeding. Sparked by a Good Morning America feature on an 8-year-old still being breastfed, the Bert Show team is surprised to find a local mom, Jill, who breastfeeds her 9-year-old son. The hosts, co-hosts, and listeners engage in a candid and at times heated conversation exploring motivations, cultural perceptions, psychological reasoning, and ethical boundary lines around extended breastfeeding.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Topic: Extended Breastfeeding

• Segment starts as the hosts discuss a Good Morning America segment featuring an 8-year-old boy who is still being breastfed.
• They express surprise that similar cases exist locally, and Jill calls in to share her story.
  [02:15]

2. Jill’s Story: Motivation and Private Practice

• Jill explains she breastfeeds her 9-year-old son mainly for comfort and emotional security, not nourishment:

  "It's definitely a comfort thing... it's very healthy for him and it's always in the privacy of our home." — Jill [02:48]

• She clarifies her son understands it's a private act and wants to continue.
• The hosts question whether this might be holding her son back from independence:

  "Why do you think it's taken him so long to get off your breast?" — Radio Host [03:51]

3. Therapists' Involvement and the Role of Trauma

• Jill reveals past family trauma—her son witnessed abuse before his father left. Multiple therapists, she says, recommended continued breastfeeding to help her son feel safe and recover.

  "It takes me back to a time when he felt completely safe and loved and comforted... It's a way for him to almost return to the womb when he needs to." — Jill [04:09]

• The cast probes whether these were accredited mental health professionals or more alternative providers.

  "Am I talking like new age?...or are you talking to someone...known as Shining Rainbow?" — Ad Expert [05:02]

• Jill says recommendations came from therapists referred by someone she does "energy work" with.

  "They were highly recommended to me by a woman that I do energy work with." — Jill [05:45]

4. Boundaries, Duration, and Future Plans

• Jill reports therapists told her to stop when the child was ready. She speculates he may naturally stop around seventh grade (~high school).

  "When he starts high school in seventh grade...by then I think he'll be ready to stop." — Jill [06:31]

• Hosts and listeners express concern over the lack of a clear boundary.

5. Listener Calls and Community Reaction

• Caller Michelle strongly criticizes Jill’s choice, expressing concern over potential psychological and even sexual confusion for the child:

  "I think it's very perverted for you to do this to your son." — Michelle [07:12]
  "You don't know if this turns him on or not." — Michelle [07:40]

• Jill is visibly shaken and defends her parenting:

  "I think that is a disgusting remark. I mean, this is something very natural." — Jill [07:51]

• The hosts discuss developmental milestones, the evolving understanding of childhood sexuality, and question Jill on why she keeps the practice private if she sees it as healthy.

6. Frequency and Process

• Jill shares it happens about twice a month now and her son initiates the act in a nonverbal way.

  "Probably maybe like two times in a month." — Jill [10:48] "He just comes to me." — Jill [11:00]

7. Medical and Relationship Questions

• Another caller suggests breastfeeding is intended for nourishment, not comfort at older ages.
• The host asks if Jill has consulted more mainstream psychologists; she says no.
• Jill admits she has not told new romantic partners about her breastfeeding practice, confirming it's a private family matter:

  "No. I want to say something that's private between me and my son." — Jill [12:17]

8. Show’s Tone and Closing

• Despite personal biases, hosts thank Jill for her candor and willingness to discuss a taboo subject.

  "We appreciate you sharing your life with us." — Dana [12:20] "It's an unorthodox... practice." — Radio Host [12:38]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Why do you think it's taken him so long to get off your breast?"
  — Radio Host [03:51]
• "When he was much younger...there was abuse in our home...several [therapists] recommended to me to keep him breastfeeding because of that..."
  — Jill [04:09]
• "They were highly recommended to me by a woman that I do energy work with."
  — Jill [05:45]
• "Are you talking about the therapists that sit naked around bonfires and sprinkle salt into cups of water...?"
  — Ad Expert (humorous skepticism) [05:02]
• "If this is so right, then why do you keep it so private?"
  — Radio Host [10:17]
• "He just comes to me."
  — Jill, describing how her son initiates breastfeeding [11:00]
• "No. I want to say something that's private between me and my son."
  — Jill, about telling partners [12:17]

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Key Timestamps

• 02:15 — Hosts introduce breast-feeding topic and Jill calls in
• 02:48 — Jill explains her motives, privacy, and son’s wishes
• 04:09 — Jill discusses trauma and therapy advice
• 05:45 — Questions about qualifications of therapists
• 06:31 — Duration and future plans for breastfeeding
• 07:01 — Michelle, first listener, shares strong opposing opinion
• 07:51 — Jill counters accusations and stresses natural bond
• 10:48 — Jill clarifies frequency of breastfeeding
• 12:17 — Jill on privacy with romantic partners
• 12:20–12:51 — Show thanks Jill, summarizes discussion as "unorthodox"

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Conclusion

The Bert Show’s candid conversation with Jill shines a light on the complicated, emotional, and highly controversial nature of extended breastfeeding. The episode explores boundaries between nurture and independence, effects of trauma, and where cultural norms clash with personal choices. Listeners and hosts alike express strong feelings, but the tone remains one of open (if sometimes incredulous) inquiry, capped by a respectful thank you to Jill for her vulnerability in sharing her story.

Transcript

[Jeff Bridges]

Morning Zoe. Got donuts.

[Dana]

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[Jeff Bridges]

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[Dana]

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[Podcast Host]

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[Dana]

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[Ad Expert]

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[Jeff Bridges]

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[Podcast Host]

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[Jeff Bridges]

The Birch Show.

[Radio Host]

We're all sitting around the studio and we were watching Good Morning America one morning and this woman came on that is breastfeeding her son. Problem here is he's eight years old. So we thought, oh my God, we'd never be able to find anybody like that here in Atlanta. We were wrong. So Jill calls us up and she says, you know, I saw the thing on Good Morning America also, I saw the 8 year old and I have a 9 year old son that is still breastfeeding. Hey, Jill.

[Jill]

Hello.

[Radio Host]

Now, is he still breastfeeding for the same reason why this woman is still. Breastfeeding is a comfort thing.

[Jill]

It's definitely a comfort thing. Yes. I mean, he's. Yeah, and it's, it's. I've been told it's very healthy for him and it's always in the privacy of our home and he understands that this is a private thing and it's. It's great.

[Caller/Co-host]

No, what is that? What he, what does he say about it exactly?

[Jill]

Well, when we talk about it, he says that he wants to continue and I think that's the best thing for him. So.

[Radio Host]

But. So it's not about nourishment anymore. It's simply about him being comfortable on the breast.

[Jill]

Yes. And it's healthy for him. It's a way for him to return to a time when he felt very safe. And that's a good thing.

[Radio Host]

Man, there's gotta be a reason why they say that children should stop breastfeeding by, you know, one.

[Caller/Co-host]

Do you know, does your son have any other. Well, you said it's a private matter, but do you have any friends that still breastfeed their child at that age?

[Jill]

It's not really something I discuss with all of my friends.

[Radio Host]

Well, why do you think it's taken him so long to get off your breast? What? You can't say breast without breast.

[Caller/Co-host]

No, but the way you just said it. And I can't stop thinking of Crash when Crash is making. You know how he does.

Yeah.

[Radio Host]

Why do you think it's taken him so long to get out of that comfort zone? Is it because maybe you keep providing it?

[Jill]

Well, there's a little more to this than. Okay, I guess I should explain everything. When. When he was much younger and his father was still in the picture, there was abuse in our home, and that is no longer the case. But once I ended that Situation. I spoke to numerous therapists. I took him to numerous therapists, and several of them recommended to me to keep him breastfeeding because of that, to help him with that trauma. It takes me back to a time when he felt completely safe and loved and comforted. It's a way for him to almost return to the womb when he needs to. And it's something that he understands is for when he needs it, when he's had a particularly hard day or he's having difficulty. That's something we do.

[Ad Expert]

Now, let me ask you, when you say you took him to therapists, are you talking about therapists that you would find in any HMO directory, or are you talking about the therapists that sit naked around bonfires and sprinkle salt into cups of water to determine what the best way to care for you is?

[Jill]

There was no sprinkling of salt into water, thank you very much.

[Ad Expert]

Am I talking like New Age? Like what defined therapists? Like therapists. Like, you go into a medical center and you go into the, you know, the floor where the therapists are, and you go down, you. You go to Dr. Stewart, or are you talking to someone that you know is known as Shining Rainbow?

[Radio Host]

And an accredited therapist, I guess, is what just you said therapists. So I'm guessing it's more than one that told you that.

[Jill]

Yes, it is. And they were highly recommended to me by a woman that I do energy work with.

[Radio Host]

Ah, okay.

[Ad Expert]

Energy work.

[Jill]

Yeah.

[Caller/Co-host]

Gotcha. How old were you for Georgia Power? How old were you when the. Or how old was the child when the therapist recommended this?

[Jill]

He was just four and a half.

[Caller/Co-host]

Four and a half. Now, did they give you a time span on how long he should remain breastfeeding?

22.

That's crashing.

[Radio Host]

Did they ever tell you, did they ever give you, like, a window?

[Jill]

They said that he. When he was ready to stop, that would be the time to stop.

[Caller/Co-host]

In your eyes, when do you think he'll be ready to stop? I mean, what if he's. Seriously, what if he's like 15 and he doesn't think he's ready to stop? Are you still going to go along with it?

[Radio Host]

Yeah. How late can this go?

[Caller/Co-host]

Yeah.

[Jill]

I think when he starts high school in seventh grade. By then I think he'll be ready to stop.

[Radio Host]

High school or seventh grade?

[Jill]

Well, seventh grade is part of high school at our school, so it is.

[Radio Host]

Oh. Oh, I see what you're saying.

[Ad Expert]

So now let me take a call.

[Radio Host]

On this here real quick. Hey, Michelle.

[Jill]

Hi.

[Radio Host]

Hey. How are you?

[Ad Expert]

Good.

[Michelle]

I Have a comment for Jill?

[Radio Host]

Okay, she's on with you right now.

[Michelle]

Hi, Jill, this is Michelle. I am really sorry about the trip. I had it. I just listened to radio. I think it's.

[Ad Expert]

Hey, Michelle, you got to turn your radio all the way down.

[Jill]

Okay?

[Michelle]

I think that the traumatic issue could be dealt with therapists with talking with your love. At eight years old, I found myself. I found my body. I enjoyed touching myself, and I enjoy sex. I just think it's very perverted for you to do this to your son.

[Jill]

It's.

[Michelle]

We're not in the day of age.

[Ad Expert]

Where you're not touching yourself right now, are you?

[Michelle]

They breastfeed their kids till nine years old. So, Michelle, I think you're hurting him. You're harming him. You don't know if this turns him on or not.

[Radio Host]

He's not here.

[Jill]

I think that is a disgusting remark. I mean, this is something very natural.

[Michelle]

It's very beautiful.

[Jill]

And I really get to a certain.

[Michelle]

Point, Jill, it's not to nine years old. Well, I mean, kids nowadays know that. Kids nowadays know that they're gay at a young age. I discovered my body. I enjoyed it. I played with myself. There's nothing wrong. There's nothing wrong with that.

[Radio Host]

So, Michelle, Michelle, what you're saying to Jill here is that she's doing this out of some kind of sexual. This is a sexual.

[Michelle]

No, no, no, no, no, no. That's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying she's harming her son.

[Podcast Host]

She wouldn't.

[Michelle]

It's really perverted what she's saying. Know if it turns her son on or not.

[Dana]

What she's saying is when she was 8 and 9 years old, she was discovering her sexuality, as we all were saying a lot of people are. And she's saying that the son may be misinterpreting this in his own mind.

[Caller/Co-host]

Because he's starting to develop feelings not only for his own body, physically and emotionally and stuff. And now all of a sudden he's like, attached to his mother's breast, where he's at the point where things he's gonna start feeling for. For other girls his age and whatnot. So it's gotta be very confusing for the child.

[Michelle]

Exactly.

[Radio Host]

You agree with any of that, Jill?

[Michelle]

I'm just shaking. Just because now it's not the Bible ages anymore where it was totally innocent. Nowadays, you know, we mature. Kids mature a lot earlier.

[Radio Host]

Was that Michelle or Jill?

[Caller/Co-host]

Yeah, I can't tell.

[Radio Host]

Was that you, Michelle?

[Michelle]

It was me, Michelle.

[Radio Host]

Hey, Jill. What do you Think about what Michelle was saying there.

[Jill]

I think that is completely disgusting. I mean, this has nothing to do with that. This is a beautiful. It's about our bond as a mother and a son. That is just. That's revolting.

[Caller/Co-host]

Yeah, but where do you draw the lines between mother and son and young adult? That's what we're trying to figure out is, yeah, it's a beautiful bond between you and your child, but now you're getting to the point where it's not just breastfeeding as far as raising an infant, but now it's to the point where your son is going to start discovering his own sexuality. That's what we're trying to figure out here.

[Jill]

Well, it's clear to him that has nothing to do with this.

[Caller/Co-host]

Well, let me ask you something. Why do you keep this so private then? Because when my mom and I talk about breastfeeding, I stopped when I was, I don't know, God, like a baby, A teensy, tiny baby. You know, I was done. But, you know, I would keep it private if I. If my mother breastfed me until I was about six, seven, eight, nine years ago. Because I think as some. It might. It might have some correlation correlate.

[Jill]

I don't understand what. What do you mean by that?

[Radio Host]

She's saying that if this is so right, then why do you keep it so private?

[Jill]

Because, in other words, it's not a con. He understands that not all of his friends are probably doing this. It's not a common thing, and he said it's helpful for him.

[Caller/Co-host]

Yeah, well, his friends are in the clubhouse talking about girls. He's over at your house. I mean, that's his. It's just. It's just not right at all.

[Ad Expert]

Have we discussed how often this happens in, like, let's say, given week or month or whatever?

[Jill]

Probably maybe like two times in a month.

[Radio Host]

She'd still want about the same as a home. About once every two weeks.

[Jill]

I mean, it depends.

[Ad Expert]

And how does he tell you that this is something that he wants to do?

[Jill]

Oh, he doesn't. We don't have to talk about it. He just comes to me.

[Radio Host]

He just curls up and just starts, Good morning. Q100.

[Jill]

Hello.

[Radio Host]

Hello.

[Jill]

Hi.

[Radio Host]

Hi.

[Jill]

I just had a comment for her.

[Michelle]

I just firmly believe that God gave.

[Jill]

You a breath to nourish your child and feed your child and not comfort your child. And there's other ways in comforting your child, you know, by holding his hand, hugging him, saying nice things to him. And I think it's just a little extreme. For a nine year old to be still breastfeeding. I have a child of my own who I breastfed. And the doctors will tell you after one not to breastfeed them because by that time they have teeth and they're usually already eating table foods. And there's no need for you to, you know.

[Caller/Co-host]

Yeah, you can't beat a Big Mac. That's for sure.

[Radio Host]

Hey, Jill, have you gone to more of a mainstream psychologist since all of this?

[Jill]

I don't. I know. I know. I have no desire to.

[Caller/Co-host]

Jill, let me ask you one question. I mean, are you still married or. No.

[Jill]

No, I'm not.

[Caller/Co-host]

I was just curious what your son's father felt about this. That's. That's all.

[Radio Host]

That's what was my abusive relationship.

[Caller/Co-host]

Oh, okay. Okay.

[Jill]

We're no longer in contact.

[Ad Expert]

Have you been in a relationship with a man since him? And does the man know what's going on with you and your son? And what does he think?

[Jill]

I've been dating.

[Caller/Co-host]

And do they know of this?

[Michelle]

Why?

[Jill]

No. I want to say something that's private between me and my son.

[Dana]

I do want to tell Jill that we appreciate her coming on because she was not the subject of this conversation to begin with, and she just called in with an opinion, and now she's become the focus. Well, she's localized, so we appreciate you sharing your life with us.

[Ad Expert]

And don't try. I mean, it sounds like you're becoming angry, but I mean, you know, we're just trying to get the facts because this is something very bizarre and foreign to us.

[Radio Host]

It's an unorthodox product. I mean, you know, not product, but unorthodox.

[Ad Expert]

Practice.

[Radio Host]

That's what I'm looking for.

[Ad Expert]

Practice.

[Radio Host]

Yeah. So that's why we're asking you all the questions.

[Caller/Co-host]

Are you ready to know?

[Radio Host]

All right, Jill, I appreciate you calling and being so honest with us.

[Caller/Co-host]

Thank you very much.

[Jill]

You're welcome.

[Jeff Bridges]

The Burt Show. Morning, Zoe. Got donuts.

[Dana]

Jeff Bridges. Why are you still living above our garage?

[Jeff Bridges]

Well, I dig the mattress, and I want to be in a T mobile commercial like you. Teach me. So, Dana.

[Dana]

Oh, no, I'm not really prepared. I couldn't possibly at t mobile get the new iPhone 17 Pro on them. It's designed to be the most powerful iPhone yet and has the ultimate pro camera system.

[Jeff Bridges]

Wow, impressive. Let me try. T mobile is the best place to get iPhone 17 Pro because they've got the best network. Nice.

[Dana]

Jeffrey, you heard them.

[Jeff Bridges]

T Mobile is the best place to get the new iPhone 17 Pro on us. With eligible traded in any condition. So what are we having for launch?

[Dana]

Dude, my work here is done.

[T-Mobile Announcer]

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