Womenswear designer Karen Millen has shamed mothers who breastfeed beyond six months

As a midwife, Michelle Tant was appalled at the response to a viral video of a woman breastfeeding her toddler and points to Bible references giving credence to its benefits.

This week, in response to a viral video of a USA woman breastfeeding her three-year-old, womenswear designer Karen Millen commented that it was “selfish” and “weird”, going on to say, “there’s no benefit is there, for a child to be breastfed beyond six months” and suggests that it can result in children being addicted to breastfeeding. These were extraordinary and unfounded comments from a person with no background in maternal or child health.

Extended breastfeeding, which in the UK means breastfeeding your child past six months, is a contested term because globally and historically, it’s not uncommon to continue breastfeeding a child for two years and beyond. Breastfeeding is mentioned notably in the Bible when Hannah dedicated her son Samuel to the priesthood once he was ‘weaned’ (1 Sam 1). It’s highly likely that this was around the age of four or five for, as most mothers would attest, imagining an elderly priest running around after a two-year-old would be unfathomable! We can also see the benefits of breastfeeding in establishing a secure attachment woven into further scriptures, so if ‘addiction’ in this context means promoting a secure and loving relationship, then many will need to join the nearest Breastfeeders Anonymous group!