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Breast is best for baby - but for how long?

In a recent Channel 4 documentary presenter Kate Garroway sparked controversy when she interviewed mothers who believe in extended breastfeeding and it appears that, whilst we may be accepting of a mother feeding a young baby, the idea of a woman breastfeeding a much older child is still abhorrent to many. But why should this be the case? Kim Kimber investigates. In our society, it is uncommon for a mother to continue to breastfeed her child beyond one year of age and, in truth, many women stop long before this. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF both recommend that all children continue to be breastfed until at least two years old, so why do so many of us give up much earlier?

For most of us, it is probably a case of believing that we have done enough and the time has come for our child to be weaned off the breast whether it be at three, six or twelve months old, and for us to claim our own lives back. If we are honest, perhaps we also find the idea of feeding a child who has teeth, or who can walk and talk a little unpalatable.

However, not all mothers think this way. Essex mum Michelle Taylor, 43, has breastfed each of her four children, up to and beyond three years of age. She says: “Breastfeeding just seemed like the most natural thing to do and it never occurred to me to stop just because my child had reached a certain age. One of my children was having breastmilk until the age of five.”

Michelle still breastfeeds her three year old daughter up to three times a day. She believes in feeding her family a nutritious diet and sees breastfeeding a natural extension and supplement to this, even when the child is well beyond the baby stage. None of Michelle’s children have ever had any formula (cow’s milk) and even now the older ones drink mainly water.

As well as the nutritional benefits, breastfeeding also provides an opportunity for mother and baby to bond and can continue to provide a source of comfort for much older children. Michelle adds: “I call it liquid love. If a child is sick or upset, breastfeeding to me is the most natural way to comfort them.”

WHO and UNICEF both recommend exclusive breastfeeding for all babies up to the age of six months; that is the infant receiving only breastmilk without any other food or drink. Breastmilk is a complete food that provides all the nutrition a baby needs to grow and develop. It also provides antibodies, hormones and antioxidants and can protect against illness.

The benefits of breastfeeding a young baby are well documented but beyond six months, breastmilk is still shown to have massive benefits with nursing toddlers having fewer illnesses and a faster recovery rate when they do fall sick than other children. Once feeding has been established successfully, there is no reason why a mother shouldn’t continue for as long as she and the child both feel comfortable. So why don’t more mums breastfeed their children for longer?

According to WHO breastfeeding is a learned behaviour and mothers need active support to establish and sustain appropriate breastfeeding practices. However, this support is not always available and women may struggle to cope with the demands of feeding a baby on their own.

Then there may be practical concerns to deal with such as a mother’s need to return to work or social pressure to regain her figure or lifestyle and, in some instances, despite a mother’s best efforts she may be unable to establish adequate feeding for medical reasons.

According to Lisa Cavadias at Treehugger Mums, sometimes it is a woman’s partner who puts her under pressure to stop breastfeeding, possibly because he wants to reclaim her breasts for himself or is feeling jealous. Perhaps then, part of our reaction to mothers who breastfeed an older child lies in the fact that, in our society, breasts are regarded more as sexual objects than a source of nourishment for our offspring.

Lisa believes that ‘often partners just don’t know the facts abut extended breastfeeding and showing them an article of discussing it with them can often help to change their point of view’.

Michelle is lucky that husband, Mark, 46, has wholeheartedly supported her decision to continue to breastfeed their children for as long as they want to. He says: “I believe that breastfeeding is the natural thing to do. I have never felt left out and have always been actively involved with the children in lots of other ways. Obviously I support Michelle in doing what is best for our children?

“Maybe younger mums don’t want to breastfeed for too long because they want to get their lives back on track or are worried about their figures. Michelle is careful about what she eats and never touches alcohol and maybe that wouldn’t suit some women. Being a bit older, we are less concerned about going out and are happy to give this time to our children.”

According to UKfamily.co.uk breastfeeding an older child in still seen as a taboo in our society and, as a result, many mums nursing older children choose to do so in private for fear of attracting comment. Others shy away from continuing to feed an older child altogether because they are concerned about the reaction of relatives and friends.

Michelle says: “I would never try and hide the fact that I still breastfeed and have fed my children in the park or at toddler group but I would prefer not to do so in a social situation such as at a restaurant.” Happily, Michelle has usually found that although some people may be a little surprised, they are usually accepting.

However, as Lisa Cavadias points out, ‘breastfeeding a toddler is not the same as breastfeeding a newborn’. Older children are inquisitive about their surroundings and may be easily distracted and they are capable of performing all kinds of gymnastics whilst at the breast. It is up to the individual mother to decide what she is prepared to accept with some mums having an ‘anything goes’ at home policy but making the child aware that they have to be more discreet in public.

Experts agree that breastfeeding is best for your baby but how long you continue will depend on a number of factors including lifestyle, beliefs and the reaction of friends and family. According to UKfamily.co.uk, ‘if left to their own devices, children will self-wean somewhere between two and a half and seven’ and as long as you and the child are comfortable, there is no reason why you shouldn’t continue for as long as you both want to.
Michelle Taylor makes breastfeeding look easy and her dedication puts most of us to shame for giving up at a much earlier stage. Perhaps if more women were prepared to embrace the benefits of extended breastfeeding, we would finally put to rest any negative connotations associated with what is, after all, a most natural activity.

The facts:
• Breastfeeding protects babies against respiratory and ear infections, gastro-enteritis and eczema.
• Breastfeeding stimulates a baby’s immune system and response to vaccination.
• Breastmilk is the only food which contains all the nutrients, antibodies, hormones and antioxidants a baby needs to thrive.
• Breastfeeding reduces a woman’s chance of getting breast and ovarian cancer.
• Breastfeeding helps the uterus to contract after the birth and aids weight loss (breastfeeding uses 500 calories a day).
• Breastfed babies are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
• Breastfed babies are less likely to be overweight or obese.
• Breastfeeding significantly reduces a person’s chances of developing high blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Breastfeed children perform significantly better in intelligence tests.
• Breastfeeding is cheaper and can be easier with no bottles to sterilise and prepare.
• Extended breastfeeding can continue to have physical, psychological and practical benefits for mother and child.

Information:
www.treehuggermums.co.uk
www.UKfamily.co.uk
www.unicef.org.uk