Mom still breastfeeding four-year-old accused of ‘normalizing weird things’
A mum has left people stunned after revealing she is still breastfeeding her four-year-old.
Anupama took to Instagram to share a video of herself feeding her son while sitting next to her eldest son and husband.
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The trio, dressed in matching white and blue outfits, smiled at each other and at the camera as the four-year-old sat on his mother’s lap.
She recognized the “beautiful milestone” of reaching four years of breastfeeding in the US writing on the videoas she added: “I owe it to my boys for their support and motivation.
“Made this trip nothing short of amazing.”
In the caption, Anupama added, “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t breastfeed because of your age, or tell you that long-term nursing has no benefits.
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‘Both are myths!
“Long-term nursing has not only made my life easier, but it is also an added bonus for my little one’s physical and emotional health.”
Anupama, who works as a lactation consultant, added that she was not trying to put down bottle-feeding mothers in the video.
Instead, she used the caption to call for more support for breastfeeding mothers, emphasizing the need for workplaces to have good breastfeeding rooms.
“It is important that every mother receives the right support during breastfeeding,” concludes Anupama.
However, the comments section of the video was almost immediately filled with rude comments from trolls, with many accusing her of trying to “normalize weird things.”
“It feels very uncomfortable to watch,” one person admitted.
As another wrote: “4 years??? Don’t normalize strange things!”
“There is such a thing as modesty and decency,” a third argued.
‘Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it has to be done in front of everyone.
“Peeing, pooping and having sex are also natural. Breastfeeding is just as natural.
“If we don’t do the first three in public, why should we put such a big focus on breastfeeding in public?”
What is the NHS advice on when to stop breastfeeding?
“It is recommended that you breastfeed your baby exclusively for the first six months of their life,” says the NHS. website.
“Breastfeeding still has many benefits for you and your baby after six months.
“It protects them from infections and there is some evidence that it helps with the digestion of your baby’s first solid foods.
“It also continues to provide the balance of nutrients your baby needs.”
They also pointed out that the World Health Organization “recommends that infants should start eating solid foods from six months of age and be breastfed for up to two years or more.”
“We can’t keep normalizing every stupid action in the name of progressivism,” someone else raged.
“This has to end somewhere.”
“Can you imagine the little boy at school and his friends destroying him?” another added.
“The poor child!”
“This is weird in so many ways…I’m a pediatrician and a huge supporter of breastfeeding but this is just going too far and that too with the eldest son as the audience,” said another.
“Also nice fact that the child now doesn’t need breast milk because he is on solids… you are only doing this for YOU and not for him.
“Also, stop misleading women.”
“Most disturbing video of the day,” sighed another.
Do you want to celebrate? Do it at home, but don’t use your toddler as a toy
Instagram commenter
Meanwhile, others were more concerned that Anupama had arranged a photoshoot to mark the ‘milestone’ – and also decided to share it on social media.
“Why does nursing have to be filmed in a studio and an adult son have to watch it?” someone wondered.
“In the name of exposing natural practices that have been followed for generations, we have forgotten modesty.
“It’s sad the levels we stoop to in the name of social media engagement.
“Let’s set boundaries and maintain modesty.”
“I don’t like these types of popular photo shoots,” another admitted.
“So you arranged the photo shoot for this, you just asked your kid to take a feed for the content?” said a third.
‘I didn’t want to say it, but this is another form of abuse: filming your child who is not aware of what this intention is for.
“If you want to celebrate something, do it at home, but don’t use your toddler as a toy.”
“Unwanted photoshoot,” someone else agreed.
“Yes, it is normal to breastfeed in public, but this message does not need to be shown with this intensity and show. Sorry.”
Despite the criticism, there were people who supported Anupama and the message she was trying to convey.
“Congratulations on your breastfeeding journey,” one person wrote.
“However, it is disappointing to read most of the comments from other women/mothers…
“Showing your oldest how to deal with those challenges will only make him love and respect you more.
“The next time he sees a mother feeding a baby, it will remind him of you and not consider it indecent.”
Another pointed out that the World Health Organization “does not mention when to stop breastfeeding.”
“It’s up to the mother and the child,” she added.
“Breastmilk has so many benefits for the child and it is her strength that she can maintain that, which I could not.
“Why do women put other women down?”
“The global average of breastfeeding is up to seven years,” claimed another.
