When it comes to raising kids, parents often have their unique approaches and sets of beliefs, particularly on sensitive topics like breastfeeding.
The subject recently sparked debate following model Tamara Ecclestone’s appearance on ITV‘s Loose Women. She revealed that she breastfed her first child until the age of nearly five, and this revelation divided opinions.
The British model defended her decision, suggesting her daughter stopped when she was ready, and conveyed her belief in doing what felt right for her at the time. Now Dr Raj Arora has provided professional insights on TikTok, providing clarity about breastfeeding guidelines.
In her video, Dr Arora shared: “I’m a GP that’s had two babies. So the NHS recommends that you should be breastfeeding your baby exclusively for the first six months of his or her life, and then beyond that you can continue to breastfeed while you’re weaning your baby onto solid foods.”
She added: “So, of course when you have a baby, it is important to decide how you want to feed. Now, some people will exclusively breastfeed, some people will do formula milk and some might do a mix of both.
“Of course, the NHS does recommend exclusive breastfeeding were possible, but I do recommend to all of my patients that fed is best, and there should never be a pressure to do either or. It should be whatever you feel most comfortable with.”
When it comes to whether you should breastfeed your little one until the age of five she said, in short, there’s “nothing wrong” with doing this. The NHS says that you can breastfeed your child up until two-years-old, or even beyond this age.
Taking things a step further, she explained the American Academy of Family Physicians actually recommends stopping anywhere between the ages of two and seven, so the age of five fits into this guidance “quite well”. Dr Raj admits it can be a sensitive topic, as some mothers can worry about trying to stop too early, while others can be criticised for breastfeeding for too long.
It can feel like it’s tough to get it right, but she stated the key is to ensure the experience is comfortable for both mother and child. Ordinarily, Dr Raj mentioned that usually the child will decide when they’re ready to stop, which is in line with what occurred in Tamara’s scenario.
However, from a medical standpoint, there’s nothing inappropriate about breastfeeding a child who is older than two. Since the video was posted, it has racked up more than 3,000 views and elicited wide-ranging response in the comments section, with various people sharing their differing viewpoints.
One parent commented: “My son is two and still breastfeeding. I don’t know when he will stop.” Meanwhile, a second added: “Each to their own, but I couldn’t imagine doing it once they start getting teeth.”
A third replied: “I breastfed my sons until just over two years. First went off gradually himself, with second I force stopped breastfed. After a year, it’s more like comfort.”