Mum Reveals “I Still Breastfeed My Six-Year-Old Child”

Reportedly the only mum in the UK still breastfeeding her six and a half year old child, it’s no surprise that Denise Sumpter has many critics.

And the 44-year-old mum doesn’t plan on stopping until her daughter asks her to.

Currently, Belle, who’s in Year Two at school, asks for a feed when she’s tired, ill and wants some quality time with her mum. This can be twice a day or once a week.

And Belle’s not the only one being breastfed. Her 18-month-old brother, Beau, also latches on – sometimes at the same time.

“I don’t think there’s anything weird about it,” says Denise to Mail Online. “I feed both children on demand.”

Denise says that Belle is taller, healthier and more talented than most of her friends, qualities that she attributes to her “mama’s milk”.

But while continuing to breastfeed may boost Belle’s health, it’s left Denise on the receiving end of many hurtful comments.

“I used to get the odd comment from relatives who’d say, ‘Here we go with the milk thing again’,” says Denise. “But I think because people know I’m confident in my decision they let me get on with it.”

And appearing on ITV’s This Morning today left Denise’s decision even more up for debate.

While some viewers tweeted supportive comments, others were quick to label Denise as “creepy” and “weird.” One tweeter, Justine Mitchell, wrote, “How embarrassing for her daughter.”

Denise does draw the line at breastfeeding Belle in public, admitting, “I will sometimes tell Belle no.”

World Breastfeeding Averages
While breastfeeding your child until they’re six or seven years old may seem unconventional in the UK, the average age of weaning around the world is 4.2 years.

And The World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF recommend that children are breastfed for up to two years and beyond.

So is it really that outrageous that a women should still breastfeed her six year old child? We’ll let you decide.

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