A woman has revealed her decision to breastfeed her children beyond the infancy phase, suggesting that extended nursing is a natural and selfless act, and that one should never be ashamed of it.
Sophie Mei Lan, a journalist and a parenting blogger who lives in Yorkshire, nourished her two daughters with breast milk until they were eight and six years old. Opponents of her decision did not go unnoticed, but she remains firmly convinced that extended breastfeeding gave her children the opportunity to enjoy comfort, nutrition, and emotional security.
Breaking Societal Taboos
Breastfeeding beyond infancy is seen in a very negative light in many Western countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, then adding solid foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or even longer. On the other hand, social norms often push mothers to stop breastfeeding much earlier.
Instead, Sophie went with her children’s will and let them decide when they wanted to self-wean. She remembers how breastfeeding was a remedy for her daughters when they got sick or were sad.
“People think only the mother is pushing it and that she wants to be with the child all the time and be in control, but the reality is that the child is the one who leads,” she tells.
“To me, it was like my eldest was the one who stopped at the beginning, and then the youngest followed after a while.”
Facing Criticism and Misconceptions
Even though there were clear positives, Sophie got a reaction in a very negative tone be it even from those who are close to her. For example, some of her relatives asked her why she did that, and some people online who have never even met her called her “inappropriate” or “selfish.”
“People are sexualizing breastfeeding, but it is a natural dietary function of the human body,” she tells me. “The notion that it becomes ‘bad’ after some time is a misunderstanding that comes from the culture and not from the medical profession.”
Sophie also mentions that in many countries of the world, it is quite normal to breastfeed a child for a long period. Research of some branches of anthropology dealing with human culture indicates that nature nature-endowed weaning time is humans might range from two to seven years of age.
The Emotional and Physical Benefits
Studies show that the concept of an extended period of breastfeeding that comes with many health benefits is also true, among the health benefits are:
- Stronger immune systems (breast milk continues to provide antibodies)
- Emotional bonding (comfort and security during developmental stages)
- Nutritional support (especially during picky eating phases)
Sophie is pointing out the fact that the nursing has been a source of help for her girls in times when they were facing difficulties, such as the first day at school or being scared.
“It wasn’t about me—it was about what they needed,” she says. “If it makes them happy, why should I quit just because nobody supports it?”
A Call for More Acceptance
Sophie explains that her wish is that by telling people her story, they will no longer see extended breastfeeding as something strange and can be a part of the stigma’s solution. She invites other mothers to rely on their feelings and not on what society may dictate.
“Every child is different, and every mother’s journey is unique,” she says. “The most important thing is to do what is right for your family, not what other people think.”
