The title of this article ends with a question mark because, in America, women are often questioned about how long they breastfeed, where they breastfeed, and if they should breastfeed at all.
The wife of famed rapper/actor Ice T, Coco Austin recently did an interview with US Weekly where she revealed she is still breastfeeding her 5-year-old daughter, Chanel. Revealing news like this somehow bothers some people because by their standards, breastfeeding a child is somehow offensive if the child is over 2 years old. Again, this is highly an American standard because women overseas often breastfeed their children up to 5 years old and sometimes beyond. There are even mammals in the wild that follow suit as well.
Back to the lecture at hand – Although the World Health Organization recommends that women breastfeed at least until the child is 2 years old, most women are choosing to not go that long. While more than 80 percent of U.S. mothers breastfeed their newborns, a new survey finds, but fewer than a third keep doing so for the recommended one year. For this reason and others, this is why it seems so taboo for the choice Coco Austin is making. Studies even have shown extended nursing has great health benefits for the child. One great benefit is that children who are breastfed longer don’t become as obese.
Citing Coco’s interview, she reveals that her daughter eats everything from steak to burgers but Chanel also prefers a little breastmilk snack every now and then.
“It’s a big bonding moment for a mother and your child…”
Coco Austin
Coco is not shy about speaking her mind on the topic because she has been criticized before for the very same thing. “It’s a big bonding moment for a mother and your child,” says the actor/model. In a world where we have been convinced as humans that drinking cow’s milk is somehow normal and a woman breastfeeding is somehow abnormal based on some preconceived standards is very telling. No matter what side of the proverbial fence you may fall on, Coco is still going to breastfeed Chanel for a little while longer.
