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PSYCHOLOGY

Internet Users Are Appalled By Mom Breastfeeding Her 4-Year-Old Daughter, Call Her "Gross" And "Disgusting"

Date August 23, 2018 15:08

Author By Fabiosa

Lately, we've been seeing a lot of stories about the stigma of breastfeeding. People are uncomfortable seeing nursing mothers in public, and many women have been fighting for their rights to feed their babies whenever and wherever they need to. 

READ ALSO: Yoga Mom Defends Uncovered Breastfeeding In Public After Her Own Parent Shames Her For Doing So

In honor of the World Breastfeeding Week, a group of moms got together to celebrate their choices and show the beauty of breastfeeding. However, one mom's story becme the subject of controversy.

Where's the limit?

A mother of two beautiful girls opened up about her decision to breastfeed and revealed how long she chose to do it on Love What Matters blog. 

When her first daughter turned 16 months, the woman found out she was pregnant with her second child. As a result, she had to tandem nurse them for two and a half years. The mother revealed her oldest daughter was breastfed until she was 4 and half years old. She explained that she didn't want to make a decision when to stop, but trusted her daughter to choose when to wean.

She was doing the same with her youngest daughter, who was 3 and a half at the time of the story. The mother said she knows many people have issues with her breastfeeding her daughters for so long, but personally, she believes in its adventages:

Sometimes, when people hear that my children are nursed for much longer than what is seen as normal, they get weird and disgusted...One of the special things about breastfeeding is that everyone’s experience is unique. We all start out and end up a little bit differently from each other, but we all do it out of love we have for our children.

This story sparked a lot of mixed reactions from people on social media.

Public's reactions

Some people were taken aback by the mother's decision to breastfeed a 4-year-old, and voiced their negative feelings:

@lolablea This is sick AF! YOU'RE DISGUSTING!

@tinatmiami It’s a big NO from me 😐ugh

@1pabassman That's wrong in so many ways

@jboudreau77 Gross

READ ALSO: Why Breastfeeding In Public Is OK, And How Celebrities Support Mothers Breastfeeding Their Babies

There were, however, supportive comments, which shared their similar breastfeeding experiences:

@drops_of_mercy So beautiful!!! I nursed my 3rd and 4th together and they weaned at 2 and 3. I also nursed my 5th, 6th, and 7th together. One weaned at 5 and the two youngest are still nursing at 3 and 5.

@tiffanygwen This is a beautiful connection between mother and child. Not one person should judge or say when it’s gross or appropriate. All mothers should support each other and their decisions in raising their own children... it’s not for you to question or debate. Period.

What do doctors say?

The American Academy of Pediatrics absolutely supports breastfeeding and recognizes its many benefits for the health of the baby. As for how long a mother should nurse her child, their recommendation is based on personal preference: 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reaffirms its recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months of a baby's life, followed by breastfeeding in combination with the introduction of complementary foods until at least 12 months of age, and continuation of breastfeeding for as long as mutually desired by mother and baby.

How a mother decides to raise her child is strictly her personal business. While some people may have issues with someone's choices, we all owe respect to mothers everywhere to do what they think is best for their child.

READ ALSO: Viral Story: Man Told Breastfeeding Mom To 'Cover Up' At Restaurant, And She Responded In The Most Hilarious Way