A mother was left embarrassed after admitting she still breastfeeds her nine-year-old daughter.
While most parents stop breastfeeding just before their child turns two, others choose to stretch it out a little longer – and now one woman has taken the Internet by storm after revealing that she breastfeeds her pre-teen daughter.
According to the woman, who was criticized by other parents online, her son really enjoys it and insists on not stopping.
She wrote in Quora: “I still allow my nine-year-old daughter to breastfeed with me and she won’t stop until she wants to.
“Does anyone support me?”
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises mothers to breastfeed their babies for about six months, before gradually introducing appropriate foods into their diet, and continuing to breastfeed for two years or more.
However, every child and every experience is different – and some children, and their parents, may want to extend breastfeeding as they are in no rush to stop it.
Specialists in Better health said: “Stopping breastfeeding is called weaning.
”It’s up to you and your baby to decide when the time is right.
“Some parents and babies enjoy breastfeeding so much that they are in no rush to stop.”
According to its statement, “it is not unusual for children up to the age of four to continue to be breastfed”.
Because some people may feel uncomfortable with prolonged breastfeeding, experts also advised “having information to give your family and friends about why you decided to continue breastfeeding.”
This, they explained, may include information about “the ongoing health, safety and comfort benefits for your child.”
Despite this, several parents believe that breastfeeding should end long before the child’s fourth birthday – and social media users quickly condemned the mother for continuing it with her nine-year-old son.
Even animals wean their young. It’s part of the natural process of helping them grow
Social media user
Sharing her thoughts in her post, one user said: “Please seek help, this is not natural or healthy for your daughter.
”You really need to turn off Mommy’s taps and let her grow up.”
Another user chimed in: “Even animals wean their young. It’s part of the natural process of helping them grow.
“That’s why we have a specific word for this phase. Every mammal does this. The process, by definition, involves denying breastfeeding to babies who still want to breastfeed, so that they grow up to be healthy, independent beings.”
According to this person, breastfeeding a nine-year-old was “unnatural” – and in fact, they insisted it was “exactly the opposite”.
Another person agreed, explaining that breastfeeding is how newborns “get their nutrition until they are able to eat baby food.”
“There is no earthly reason why a nine-year-old should still be fed like a child. Also, if she doesn’t stop until SHE wants to stop, then you have lost control as a parent.”
The Quora user asked the mother to reflect on any other “rules” the pre-teen may have, as well as her parenting.
”What other parental rights have you given to a nine-year-old child?”
How do I stop breastfeeding?
O National Health Service recommends breastfeeding your baby exclusively (feeding him only breast milk) for the first six months.
However, it’s entirely up to each individual to decide when they want to call it quits – and there’s no right or wrong way to do it.
The NHS adds that this often happens gradually as the baby starts to enjoy more solid foods.
They note that solid foods should not replace breast milk, as there is evidence to suggest that breast milk helps the digestive system when processing solid foods for the first time.
“Once you start eating solid foods, your baby will still need breast milk or formula as their main drink, at least until their first birthday.”
“Cow’s milk is not suitable as a main drink for babies under one year of age, although it can be added to foods such as mashed potatoes.”
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