Extraordinary Breastfeeding
Channel 4, Wednesday 1 February, 9pm
Everyone knows that breast is best, but for how long? The World Health Organisation recommends that all children are breastfed until at least two years. In Britain we think that's downright weird. But this forthright, revealing and heart-warming film meets a group of women who believe in continuing to breastfeed for as long as their children want.
Veronika is still breastfeeding her seven-year-old daughter, while her eldest has asked if she can be breastfed as a present for her tenth birthday. Dolores is breastfeeding her son, who is nearly four. Dolores and her husband are about to adopt a little girl from China and her greatest wish is to breastfeed her adopted daughter. Thirty-eight-year-old Sophie is tandem-feeding two-year-old twins Zac and Molly on demand, and is feeling the strain. And Kirsty, who works for an organisation that helps teach young mums how to breastfeed, is breastfeeding her daughter at nearly two and is very concerned that new laws could prevent breastfeeding in public places.
Our You Ask feature below contains advice for a mother who is receiving criticism about breastfeeding her two-year-old child. There are links within the feature to websites that offer further support and information.
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'How can I deal with criticism at breastfeeding my two-year-old?'
Q: My little boy Luke has just had his second birthday. When he was tiny, I thought I'd end breastfeeding at around 9-12 months, but he's never shown signs of wanting to stop and still asks for 'Mummy milk' three or four times a day. Trouble is, so many people think what I'm doing is unnatural. I'm often criticised by total strangers if I feed Luke in public, and my Dad always says, 'Surely you're not still feeding that child!'. I'd be happy to go on until Luke gives up of his own accord, but I'm fed up with this barrage of criticism. Any suggestions?
Vanessa, 34
our online advisors reply:
In many cultures around the world, feeding a two-year-old would be seen as totally normal, but unfortunately in the West it goes against society's expectations.
There are several things you could try. To avoid hurtful comments completely, you could gradually switch to feeding Luke just once in the morning and once at bedtime, when there's no one else around, and give him other drinks from a cup during the day.
If you're criticised by a stranger who asks if you're still feeding, you could answer simply, 'Yes', or say that 'It works for us, but maybe you'd choose to do something different'. You'll find some other suggestions for dealing with unwanted comments on this website:
www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/criticism.html
If the person who's commenting is someone like your Dad, who's close to you and might be willing to listen, you could try explaining some of the benefits of extended breastfeeding. Tell your Dad, for instance, that the longer Luke drinks human milk, the longer he'll go on getting all the beneficial vitamins, enzymes and immune protection it provides. Toddlers who have breast milk are less likely to be ill than others. If they are sick, they will often only accept breast milk, which can help prevent dehydration.
Breastfeeding an older child also has a lot to do with showing love, and giving comfort. The strong bond it creates will help Luke to become more confident and independent, because he has not been forced off the breast before he is ready. As far as your own well-being goes, breastfeeding delays the return of fertility (although you still need to use contraception, even if your periods haven't re-started). This in turn reduces your lifetime exposure to oestrogen, which is linked to the development of some cancers. Breastfeeding is also kind to the planet, as there is no need to use powerful chemicals for sterilisation, or buy plastic bottles which end up in landfill.
If that's not enough to persuade him, you'll find plenty of other convincing reasons for extended breastfeeding on these sites:
Explanation of extended breastfeeding:
www.treehuggermums.co.uk/articles/breas ... rticle=107
An American mum's 10 good reasons for breastfeeding a toddler:
www.abm.me.uk/10toddler.htm
Managing breastfeeding if you return to work:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/breastf ... arbara.php
For more support and useful ideas, visit the Extended Breastfeeding Bulletin Board and chat to other mums who are breastfeeding older children:
www.babycentre.co.uk/bbs/556010/. Or you could start up a chat thread on our Family forum here and see what tips other people can offer you.
Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party sites.
http://www.channel4.com/health/microsit ... reast.html