Breastfeeding A Nine-Year-Old?!
A 50 year old woman in the U.K. has revealed she just recently stopped breastfeeding her 9 year old daughter. Sharon Spink, a mom of four, said her daughter Charlotte…
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JUNE 10: In this photo illustration, Sarah Ward breast feeds her daughter Esme at home with bottles of Lewis Road Creamery ‘Breast Milk’ in the foreground (the brand’s blue top cow’s milk that was re-labelled as ‘Breast Milk’ in June 2015 to raise funds for Breast Cancer Cure), on June 10, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. Breastfeeding advocates have slammed Lewis Road Creamery’s New ‘Breast Milk’, labeling it as misguided advertising and disrespectful toward women. The red label bottle which reads: ‘Breast Milk: the cow’s milk that funds the cure’, Lewis Road Creamery will be donating 20 cents to Breast Cancer Cure. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)
Fiona Goodall / Stringer-Getty ImagesA 50 year old woman in the U.K. has revealed she just recently stopped breastfeeding her 9 year old daughter.
Sharon Spink, a mom of four, said her daughter Charlotte has nursed since infancy and natually weaned 8 weeks ago. As you might imagine, Sharon has endured criticism from people who not only disagree with her decision, but have gone as far as to label it child abuse. Sharon didn't let that stop her. She admits she struggled to breastfeed her other children, the oldest of whom is 30, without success. The mom fed her youngest daughter in public places including the grocery store, hairdresser, and church up until the child was 4 or 5 years old. For the last few years, the feedings have been only at home. Sharon says sometimes, the child would come into her room at night and nurse without mom even realizing it. She defends the decision saying the child is healthier than her other children, and their mother/ daughter bond is strong. Now, I completely support breastfeeding if it is a viable option for moms. It was a struggle for me with my premature son, but I kept it up as long as I could with the encouragement of doctors and nurses cheerleading me on, reminding me how much it would help with his development. They called it "liquid gold."He was a mere 2 pounds at birth. I think I was able to keep up the fight for 6-8 months. It's a personal choice that I don't judge. However, I think 9 years old is an excessive length of time to the "nth" degree. But I wish this mom and daughter the best, and I am glad the child continues to be physically healthy and strong.
See mom and daughter Charlotte by clicking link below
