Australian mom Lauren McLeod tells why she’s still breastfeeding her son
An Australian mother has opened up about why she continues to breastfeed her 5-year-old son.
Mother-of-two Lauren McLeod has amassed a following on social media for posting about her actual and uncooked experiences with breastfeeding her two youngsters.
The 29-year-old has confronted backlash for persevering with to breastfeed her five-year-old son, Bowie, past what she says society considers the “regular” time-frame.
She has even been known as “sick” and labeled an “abuser,” which she says often comes right down to misinformation and misconceptions surrounding breastfeeding.
Lauren says due ladies’s breasts being hypersexualized in fashionable instances, many neglect the true objective of the physique half – to feed youngsters.
“I’ve stated it earlier than and I’ll say it one million instances extra, people have been biologically designed to wean from the breast between 2-7 years of age,” stated Lauren, who has labored as a doula – a educated, non-medical companion for birthing ladies – for the previous two years.
“I’ve been known as a ‘sick nut,’ I’ve been advised I’m disgusting, bizarre, gross, egocentric, abusing my youngsters, the record goes on.
“However I actually don’t care, as a result of I’m doing what’s greatest for my youngsters, identical to the dad and mom who make completely different parenting selections are.
“Breastfeeding a five-year-old will not be widespread in as we speak’s society, however there may be nothing ‘bizarre’ or ’gross’ about it. I’m actually simply feeding and comforting my youngster.
“Breasts might be sexual and that’s superb, however breastfeeding may be very separate to that.
“The truth that folks affiliate the 2, to me, that’s bizarre. I don’t know why you’d sexualize such a pure act between a mom and youngster.”
Lauren says that whereas she didn’t “plan” on breastfeeding her son till he was 5 years previous, it’s merely what has labored greatest for them on their parenting journey.
“Once I had Bowie, in my thoughts I assumed, I’ll breastfeed him till two years of age,” she stated.
“I assumed, effectively that’s the World Well being Group’s advice, so possibly that’s what I ought to do too.
“However the years went on, and it was a optimistic expertise, so we simply saved going. I had no points and didn’t really feel this stress to all of the sudden cease.”
The mother defined that there are numerous advantages to breastfeeding, each for her and her youngster.
“Bowie will simply breastfeed earlier than mattress now, and it’s a beautiful bonding expertise for us two,” she stated.
“Milk is stuffed with antibodies and dietary help. It’s actually nice for supporting his mind growth.
“There are some lovely advantages for me as effectively, it may possibly decrease your danger of some cancers and launch of oxytocin each time you breastfeed.”
With the mother being so open about her breastfeeding journey on-line, she admits that she leaves herself open to all kinds of reactions to her content material.
However fortunately, she stated a lot of the suggestions she receives is optimistic – nonetheless, there are those that take the time our of their days to depart nasty feedback.
“Nearly all of folks on my social media pages are very supportive and wonderful,” she stated.
“However in fact, you all the time get individuals who have an opinion.
“That is why I’m sharing my story, because it’s essentially the most pure factor on this planet and shouldn’t be a problem.
“It breaks my coronary heart after I see different mothers getting a tough time. It’s such a person factor, and everyone seems to be on their very own path and journey.
“As dad and mom, all of us simply do one of the best we will for our youngsters.”
As for the way forward for breastfeeding her youngsters, Lauren says she is going to let Bowie self-wean when the time is true.
“Each mom and youngster’s breastfeeding journey is completely different,” she stated.
“For the second, I’m completely superb for Bowie to proceed breastfeeding for so long as he must.
“In the meanwhile, he’s breastfeeding as soon as a day, proper earlier than mattress.
“Which may change, however for now it’s what’s working for us. I all the time say, simply take it one feed at a time.”
