‘It cemented our bond’: Mum says breast is best for nine-year-old daughter

A British mother has defended her decision to breastfeed her daughter for almost a decade claiming it has helped them develop a strong bond.

Speaking to The Sun, Sharon Spink, said natural term weaning is completely normal and that she was happy to breastfeed daughter Charlotte for as long as she desired.

The mother-of-four told the publication despite the backlash received she is glad she was able to provide for her now nine-year-old daughter, who only stopped breastfeeding a couple of months ago.

She said the duration of breastfeeding should be up to the child and that they shouldn’t be forced to stop, especially when it apparently helps to boost the immune system.

“She [Charlotte] was feeding about once a month if she wasn’t feeling great or was feeling a bit run down and was going longer and longer without feeding,” she told The Sun.

“As she’s been reducing anyway I don’t feel sad about it. If she would have stopped suddenly I think I would have missed it, but it’s just nice that it’s come to a natural end.”

While breastfeeding at that age isn’t generally a common occurrence, the 50-year-old said it shouldn’t be frowned upon or misjudged and that it is a completely personal decision. She added that she probably wouldn’t have shared quite so a close relationship to Charlotte if they hadn’t continued breastfeeding for as long as they did.

“It cemented our bond and I don’t think that will change now it’s stopped. I think we’re closer because of doing it. I haven’t had any pangs since she stopped and she still comes for a cuddle,” she told The Sun.

“With Charlotte it was about the security. Children find a lot of comfort in the breast, and the older they get the more it becomes about comfort rather than nutrition.”

However, the extended breastfeeding hasn’t come without challenges and Sharon has endured much criticism mainly from strangers who have accused her of child abuse.

According to the mother, she has been labelled everything from a  pedophile to a freak by “keyboard warriors”. But there has also been a flurry of support for Sharon from loving friends and family, and the breastfeeding community.

While the choice of when to stop breastfeeding is completely personal, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF strongly encourage mothers to continue breastfeeding throughout toddlerhood. The organisations also claims the ideal weaning age it between two and seven years.  

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think breast feeding should stop at a certain age? How long did you breastfeed your children for?