We’ve come a long way from the time when women were shamed for choosing to breast or bottle feed their children, but one taboo about breastfeeding still remains: how long it can or should be done.
Adelaide mother of five Lisa Bridger has been breastfeeding for more than 20 years cumulatively, and continues to do so for seven-year-old Chase, and his five-year-old brother, Phoenix.
But over the years, the mum-of-five has been subject to a torrent of abuse online.
Now, in an open letter on Kidspot, Bridger has defended herself from the trolls who labelled her a “paedophile” and “sick” for her decision to continue breastfeeding her two children.
“To the adults who have commented that I am sick and need to get help, there is nothing mentally wrong with me; I am only doing what is natural,” Bridger wrote.
“It’s not a sexual act. I’m not a paedophile which is what quite a few have suggested.”
I am actually disgusted by these trolls attacking a mother for breastfeeding her 7 year old autistic son. #LisaBridger has my full support and I commend her for supporting her son Chase the way she does. #Respect ❤️❤️❤️
— Jamie Dunlop (@JamieDunlop22) January 21, 2019
Top Comments
Nope, not in favour of this. I stopped when they were two and by then it was every few days. A seven year old in public? Nup.
Part of our job as parents is to set our children up so they can manage in the world without us. Breastfeeding an autistic home schooled child isn’t assisting him to function in the outside world. It does sound like a management tool for his autism, but it may be time to look at other coping mechanisms.
But I do think extended breast feeding becomes more about the mother’s than the child’s needs. There is no valid nutritional reason for breast feeding a child that age. All their nutrients should be coming from food. Not to mention that Mum is depriving herself of calcium so be continually feeding for years. Check your bones lady, I bet they are shot to pieces!
Well said... ABSOLUTELY ON THE MONEY.
Agree, she says she can’t get him to take melatonin but... those tablets are tiny, you could easily hide it in food or the kid probably wouldn’t even notice swallowing it in a glass of juice or milk. She definitely has a responbility to find solutions for her sons that don’t require her being constantly present and, let’s face it, major social ostracism.