In the world of parenting, I champion every feeding method: whether it’s breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or formula-feeding, I believe in respecting how each parent chooses to nourish their child. However, if you decide to openly share photos of breastfeeding your six-year-old, brace yourself for the judgment that may come your way. Is it fair? Perhaps not. Yet, we live in a culture that often feels uncomfortable with practices that stray from the norm.
Take the case of a woman named Sarah Thompson, who recently shared images on her social media accounts of herself breastfeeding her six-year-old. Such images can be particularly provocative in our society, where even nursing an infant discreetly is met with mixed reactions. It’s no surprise that this kind of openness would ignite controversy. It’s certainly not a common practice, and it invites scrutiny.
Sarah identifies herself as a “holistic parenting advocate,” expressing comfort in choices that many might find unconventional. She even posted a picture of herself nursing her newborn right after birth, showcasing her commitment to her beliefs. In an interview, she stated that she continues to breastfeed her daughter, now six and in school, for the immunity benefits it provides.
My own breastfeeding journey ended when my kids started getting their teeth—around the one-year mark for both. If it had become uncomfortable sooner, I would have stopped without hesitation. I believe in making parenting as manageable as possible and would have drawn the line at any significant discomfort.
Nursing a child old enough to make their own grilled cheese is often not just about nutrition; it’s also about the comfort and bond that nursing provides. Children wean from comfort items at various ages. For instance, a child in my son’s preschool class brings a favorite blanket, while my son didn’t part with his pacifier until he was nearly three. When parents allow their children to gradually let go of such comforts, it can lead to criticism from others who feel it’s not the right approach.
Lactation consultant and advocate for breastfeeding resources, Emily Gray, pointed out in a recent article that while it may be shocking to many in Western cultures, globally, the average age for weaning is between two and six years. Thus, nursing a six-year-old isn’t as unusual as it seems.
It’s likely that Sarah will need to address the images she’s shared as her daughter grows older; the transparency that feels natural to a six-year-old may not sit well with a teenager. We all have moments in parenting that could come back to haunt us later. For example, I’ve shared more than a few parenting fails online that my kids may find embarrassing one day.
Personally, while I don’t feel entirely comfortable with the notion of her breastfeeding her six-year-old, I wouldn’t label her as a bad mother. I also question the necessity of breastfeeding for immunity at this age, as she suggests. What it ultimately highlights is a different approach to parenting than what many of us are accustomed to.
As a society, we’ve made strides toward normalizing breastfeeding, but there remains a threshold that seems to be universally accepted. A child older than what we consider an ‘appropriate’ age to breastfeed clearly indicates where that line is drawn.
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In summary, while the decision to breastfeed an older child may invite criticism, it reflects a personal choice that varies greatly among families. Ultimately, parenting is about what works best for you and your child, regardless of societal expectations.
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