While most mothers stop breastfeeding before their child's second birthday, some choose to extend it just that bit longer. However, when it's extended for 'too long', family and friends may start asking questions, considering it to be unusual or even obscene.
That's exactly what one mum is up against after admitting she still breastfeeds her nine-year-old daughter simply because her child enjoys it. She said on Quora : "I still allow my nine-year-old daughter to breastfeed from me, and she won't stop until she wants to. Does anyone support me?"
The World Health Organisation urges mothers to exclusively breastfeed their newborns for six months, before gradually introducing appropriate foods after six months while continuing to breastfeed for two years or beyond.
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A statement on Better Health reads: "Stopping breastfeeding is called weaning. It is up to you and your baby to decide when the time is right. Some parents and babies enjoy breastfeeding so much they are in no hurry to stop. It is not unusual for children up to four years of age to continue to be breastfed.
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"Family members and friends may feel uncomfortable about extended breastfeeding and it can be helpful to have information to give your family and friends about why you have decided to keep breastfeeding. This may include information about the continued health benefits, security, and comfort for your child."
Despite this, many parents believe breastfeeding should come to an end much earlier than age four - and condemned the mother for carrying it on with her nine-year-old daughter. Commenting on her post, one user said: "Please seek help, this is not natural or healthy for your daughter. You really need to turn off the mommy spigots and let her grow up."
Another user added: "Even animals wean their young. It's part of the natural process of helping them grow up. That's why we have a specific word for that phase. Every mammal does it. The process by definition involves denying suckling to babies who still want to suckle, so they will grow up into healthy, independent beings. So there is nothing natural about what you are doing. Quite the opposite. Sorry."
A third user said: "Breast or bottle feeding is how infants get their nutrition until they are able to eat baby food. There's no earthly reason for a nine-year-old to still be fed like an infant. Additionally, if she doesn't stop until SHE wants to stop, then you have lost control as a parent. What else does she make the rules on? What other parental rights have you handed over to a nine-year-old?"
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