Lisa Scott – 1st February, 2010
http://www.metro.co.uk/lifestyle/811212-when-should-breastfeeding-stop
When should breastfeeding stop? Opinions vary, but it’s recommended that children should breastfeed up to at least two years old, but is going beyond that ‘yucky’ or wrong – or necessary?
The benefits of breast milk are well known, but when should children stop breastfeeding? Emma is a 32-year-old mother who breastfeeds her children aged four and five but says that, contrary to popular opinion, she is just like the rest of us. “People tend to think mothers who breastfeed their older children are hippies who don’t shave their legs,” she says. “I am like everyone else – I watch reality TV and I like going out with friends. I just still happen to be breastfeeding.” Regardless of her protests, many will still find her unconventional habit a bit ‘yucky’. Most people I tell grimace at least – and that includes other mothers.
Ann Sinnott, who has just written a book detailing how she breastfed her daughter to the age of six, says it’s not as unusual as we think. One Dutch study released last year found 1,213 mothers breastfeeding children older than one year and Sinnott’s own research, which questioned 2,040 families and 4,038 children in more than 48 countries, found that 2,877 children were breastfed between the ages of two and 11. Sinnott says she has even heard of a case that involved a 16-year-old boy (although this was ‘an unhealthy situation’) and of two 25-year-old women who had suffered bereavement and went to their respective mothers for ‘one-off comfort’. “It probably started with a cuddle and led from there,” she tells me, as Little Britain’s Bitty sketch pops into my mind.
Sinnott says she continued because of the health benefits (the World Health Organisation recommends up to two years at least and the government recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months). Breast milk contains carbohydrate, protein, and fat and is full of vitamins, enzymes and antibodies which protect against infection. Expressing milk is equally beneficial. “Children’s immune systems mature around six, which is when they will naturally start to self-wean,” she says.
I check with Pam Lacey, head of the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers, who confirms this is true and says that after the age of seven, children physically struggle to suckle. “Breast milk is necessary until then,” continues Sinnott. “In fact it is so nutritional the Russian government is working on using breast milk as a cancer therapy.” The problem, she says, is us: we’re just not used to seeing breastfeeding past babyhood. “Mothers shouldn’t stop just because their child develops teeth,” says Sinnott.
Ann Sinnott claims that there is no downside to long-term breastfeeding. Emma says she has never been bitten and those who use it as an excuse – it’s a common one – are simply scared. “It’s just more myths,” she says, “probably propagated by formula companies and mothers who feel guilty about stopping.”
Laura, 29, is still breastfeeding her 16-month-old daughter but when she mentioned this to another mother she was told to ‘get her life back’. Incidentally, the woman admitted she had given up after a few weeks. If the teeth excuse irritates Sinnott then my next question will almost definitely rile her.
Perhaps, I suggest, her motivation was more selfish – did she need to strengthen the bond with her child? “Absolutely not. I kept going until my daughter decided she didn’t want any more and as a result she is extremely independent,” says Sinnott. “Research has found parents who did the same are seeing the same results.” Was it easier to devote her breasts to feeding because she didn’t have a partner? “Possibly, yes. But even if I had a partner and he didn’t like it, I would have continued. Breasts are far too sexualised in the developed world and because older children are seen as miniature adults, women are accused of sexually abusing their children, which is just ridiculous.”
And what do fathers think? Of course, Sinnott says they are all happy with extended breastfeeding, although one did tell her: “She owes me a lot of good sex in a few years.” Sinnott believes there is no downside to long-term breastfeeding. She has plenty of anecdotal evidence and research studies to back up her arguments but if the problem lies in society’s attitude, she shouldn’t expect any change soon.
Breastfeeding Older Children by Ann Sinnott (Free Association Books), £17.95.
The Be a Star campaign is dedicated to increasing the number of young mums who choose to breastfeed. We hope to do this by showcasing the beauty, confidence and pride that comes with breastfeeding, as well as providing breastfeeding information and support and highlighting the unique health benefits that it brings to both baby and mum.
We are all aware of the earthquake which devastated Haiti on January 13th this year.
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These are from the fantastic Alison Blenkinsop who is a former midwife. She was an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for ten years, and still helps mothers with breastfeeding.
This came up when I asked peoples opinions of a new design, to go on an eco-friendly bag. (I’d still like your comments by the way, I am not sure that ‘breastfeeding’ is the right thing to put underneath it but there is not much space).
