Some subjects really divide people, and whenever they come up, debates are sure to follow. Breastfeeding is definitely one of those hot topics in our world today.
Choosing to breastfeed your kids is a personal choice that only you should make. However, there are still many people who have strong opinions, especially if a mother does something that seems a bit controversial.
A mother from Perth, Australia, named Lauren McLeod, has been in the spotlight lately because of her choice to breastfeed her five-year-old son, Bowie. At 29 years old, she also breastfeeds her two-year-old daughter, Tigerlily.
In an interview with The New York Post, Lauren mentioned that she never expected to nurse her children for this long when she first started. She stated, “I’m just like any other mom doing the best I can for my children.”
She also emphasized that breastfeeding children at that age is not strange or inappropriate and thinks it’s completely normal.
The mom shares that she and her husband, 33-year-old Anders, were breast-fed until they turned two. This was their original plan, but it ended up evolving over time.
Now, their child gets breast milk three times a week before going to bed, and Tigerlily nurses whenever she feels like it.
Lauren mentioned that some people have called her disgusting and even accused her of being abusive for how she raises her kids. They think she only breastfeeds them and doesn’t give them regular food, but she insists that’s not the case.
She also added, “I’ve been really fortunate to have smooth breastfeeding experiences, and I haven’t faced any big challenges.”
Even though she has her own feelings about it, she still faces a lot of criticism for her choices. She thinks it’s because society tends to view women’s breasts as something sexual rather than just a natural part of motherhood.
She mentioned, “It’s strange to me that people link the two. I don’t understand why you would make something so natural between a mom and her baby seem sexual.”
She also pointed out that breastfeeding has some great benefits for her, like reducing the risk of certain cancers and releasing oxytocin every time she feeds her baby.
Additionally, she shared that she drinks alcohol before breastfeeding. While many parents see this as a problem, she believes it’s completely normal. She argued that if you can drive, then having a drink is fine too.
In her Instagram post, she advised, “If you plan to have a few drinks, make sure to have some expressed breastmilk ready, don’t sleep in the same bed as your baby, and find a babysitter or a ‘designated caregiver’ for your little one.”
There were mixed reactions to her views, but she remained firm in her beliefs.
When you share things on social media, it’s normal for people to have their own opinions and voice them. It seems likely that she will keep receiving feedback as long as she continues to share her experiences online.
