Breastfeeding is one of those parenting topics that can still cause a lot of division. And all of that can likely be traced back to the fact that parents who breastfeed are often damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
For a long time, breastfeeding was taboo. Then it became the only choice, and parents who didn’t nurse would endure shaming. And even after all that, it can still cause debate in the parenting space.
But we all know that fed is best, and every parent wants the best for their kids. For some, that means formula or pumping or breastfeeding for a bit and supplementing with something else. And extended breastfeeding might be what’s ideal for others.
Extended breastfeeding is considered breastfeeding past the first year. And it can have a lot of benefits for not only the baby but the parent, too. It’s not particularly common in the United States, but it’s more common in other places around the world.
In recent years, celebrity breastfeeding has become a topic of conversation. Some celebrities have shared that extended breastfeeding works best for their family.
Since extended nursing can be quite polarizing, breastfeeding celebrities opening up about the benefits helps normalize the practice. And that’s always a good thing.
Mayim Bialik|Mayim Bialik|Mayim Bialik|Mayim Bialik
Alicia Silverstone|Alicia Silverstone
Clueless star Alicia Silverstone, who’s mama to son Bear Blu, has been a huge proponent of breastfeeding. She was even photographed nursing an 11-month-old Bear while walking.
In her book Kind Mama, she wrote, “Nurse like it’s your destiny.” She started the Kind Mama Milk Share program, which allows mothers with an oversupply of breast milk to give it to moms who can’t nurse.
Coco Austin
Coco Austin inspired everyone to talk about extended breastfeeding. She sparked the conversation when she shared that, at 5 years old, her daughter, Chanel, was still breastfeeding.
She explained at the time that she had no plans to wean her daughter until her daughter was ready. And for Coco, practicing extended breastfeeding was good for her, too. “It’s a big bonding moment for a mother and child,” she explained.
Miranda Kerr
Model mom Miranda Kerr breastfed her son Flynn for a year and a half. She described her nursing experience as “the most natural thing in the world.” She added, “I love it and the bonding time we have during these precious and beautiful moments.”
Alanis Morissette|Alanis Morissette
From angsty singer to devoted mom, Alanis Morissette was still nursing son Ever well past his second year, and she had no qualms about going longer. “I know some children who have weaned naturally at 2 years, some kids wean naturally a couple of years later. I mean, it’s up to every child,” she told Good Morning America.|From angsty singer to devoted mom, Alanis Morissette was still nursing son Ever well past his second year, and she had no qualms about going longer. “I know some children who have weaned naturally at 2 years, some kids wean naturally a couple of years later. I mean, it’s up to every child,” she told Good Morning America.
Gisele Bündchen|Gisele Bündchen
Who could forget that now-infamous photo of supermodel Gisele Bündchen breastfeeding her daughter, Vivienne — who was 1 at the time — while being attended to by her glam squad? Mama knows how to multitask!
Bekah Martinez
Bekah Martinez, who we first met on The Bachelor series, welcomed two kids in two years and at one point was tandem nursing them. She previously spoke about being hesitant to wean her 2-year-old when she welcomed a new baby, and in turn, normalized it for so many.
