Parenting
By Jamie Carter
Updated: Dec. 18, 2015
Originally Published: May 27, 2015
I firmly support all feeding choices—whether it’s breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or formula. After all, it’s your baby, and you should choose what works best for you! However, if you decide to share photos of yourself breastfeeding your six-year-old, prepare for the inevitable backlash from social media. Are the critics right? Who can say for sure? What we do know is that stepping outside societal norms can spark intense reactions.
Take, for example, Lucy Adams, who recently posted pictures on her Facebook account showing her breastfeeding her six-year-old. It’s a topic that can stir controversy in many places, especially since the image of a mother nursing an infant can already raise eyebrows. It’s no surprise that such images can ignite heated discussions.
Adams identifies as a “holistic parenting advocate,” and her comfort level with practices that may unsettle others is apparent. She even shared a photo of herself nursing her newborn in a birthing tub right after delivery. She explained on a morning talk show that her six-year-old needs the added immunity breastfeeding offers now that she’s in school.
Personally, I stopped breastfeeding my children once they started teething—around a year for each of them. Had I felt uncomfortable earlier, I would have ended it sooner. My approach has always been about minimizing stress. Nursing a child old enough to whip up their own grilled cheese is likely about more than nutrition; it’s about the comfort and security it provides them. Every child weans off comforting habits at their own pace. For instance, a child in my daughter’s preschool still brings a blankie to class, while my son clung to his pacifier until just before he turned three. It seems that whenever a parent allows a child to set their own pace, others feel compelled to criticize their parenting choices.
As Diana B. Jones, a lactation consultant and media relations director for the Global Breastfeeding Alliance, pointed out, “While it may shock people in Western cultures, the average age for weaning worldwide is between 2 and 6 years, so nursing a six-year-old isn’t as unusual as it might seem.”
It’s undeniable that Adams may face questions about her decision down the line; her teenage daughter might not appreciate her openness the way a six-year-old does. We all have our moments as parents that may come back to haunt us. I know I’ve shared a few less-than-flattering stories about my first child online that he may find embarrassing in the future. When it comes to parenting, we strive to do our best, and if we falter, we’ll ultimately have to deal with the repercussions.
While I’m not entirely comfortable with the images of Adams breastfeeding her child, I don’t think it makes her a bad mother. Personally, I doubt her six-year-old still needs the immune boost that nursing provides now that she’s school-aged. Instead, I see a mother who embraces a different approach than most of us do.
Although societal acceptance of breastfeeding is increasing, it has its limits. Nursing a child older than what we consider the “norm” clearly outlines where those limits lie.
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In summary, while breastfeeding a child at six may provoke judgment, it reflects individual parenting styles. The conversation around breastfeeding, comfort, and societal norms continues to evolve, reminding us that every parent’s journey is unique.
Keyphrase: breastfeeding a six-year-old
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