Breastfeeding is a topic often shrouded in controversy and personal opinions. Mostly when it gets over the infant years.
Emma Shardlow Hudson is a 29-year-old mom who’s making headlines for her unique approach to parenting and breastfeeding.
Power of Mother’s Milk
She believes in the healing and protective properties of her breast milk. She attributes her children’s extra health to the extended breastfeeding practice.
Her 5-year-old daughter, Alex, and 2-year-old son, Ollie, are rarely ill, a fact Emma links directly to the antibodies found in her milk.
What’s the reason behind it? For Emma, breastfeeding is more than a nutritional practice. For her kids, it’s a normal routine to drink her milk.
The son Alex who is at the age of 5 still breastfeeds once in the morning and once in the evening. This routine offers physical nourishment which is a source of comfort and reassurance.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
Enhances Immunity: Provides antibodies that protect infants from infections and diseases.
Nutritional Completeness: Offers all essential nutrients needed for early development.
Bonding: Strengthens the emotional connection between mother and child.
Reduces Disease Risks: Lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in mothers, obesity, and type 2 diabetes in children.
Convenience and Cost-Effective: Breast milk is readily available and free, saving on formula costs.
Digestive Ease: Easier for infants to digest compared to formula.
Long-Term Health Benefits: Linked to higher IQ scores and better health outcomes in later life for children.
Challenging Societal Norms
Emma’s choice to breastfeed her children, particularly her older daughter, in public has produced mixed reactions.
Many pointed out some negative responses, but she also experiences moments of support and positive acknowledgment. These interactions highlight the diverse opinions on public breastfeeding.
Positive Reactions
Emma shares a heartwarming story about a public nursing experience in her statement. People would sometimes come up to her, she says, mistakenly believing her infants were sound asleep in their slings. The expressions on their faces when they know she is breastfeeding.
However, she receives encouraging and helpful responses from them as they frequently remark on how beautiful the scenario is. This encouraging exchange contrasts with the hostile ones she’s encountered.
Support System at Home
My husband is a powerhouse for me. You know, it’s his acceptance and understanding that makes the difference. He sees how it’s not just good for our kids, but for me too.
And let me tell you, that kind of support? It’s gold. It means I can keep going, no holds barred. It’s like having a teammate who’s always rooting for you, always in your corner.
So, when you’ve got someone like that backing you up, it just powers you through. No stopping, no second-guessing – just full steam ahead.
Emotional Comfort & Bonding
The act of breastfeeding transcends nutritional needs. It’s a bond that she cherishes, providing emotional comfort to her children.
This aspect of breastfeeding is often overlooked in public discourse. focusing solely on the physical benefits.
Her Legacy
Emma’s approach to breastfeeding is not just a personal choice but a legacy passed down from her mother, who breastfed her children until they were 2.
This tradition underscores the deep-rooted emotional and cultural significance of breastfeeding in many families.
Initial Struggles
Emma’s journey was challenging. She faced difficulties with breastfeeding initially but found strength and success through perseverance.
Her experience highlights the importance of accessible breastfeeding support for new mothers.
| Age | Breastfeeding Guidance | Insights |
| 0-6 months | Exclusive breastfeeding | Essential for nutrition and immunity. |
| 6-12 months | Add solid foods; continue breastfeeding | Supports nutrition and comfort. |
| 12-24 months | Part of a balanced diet | Aids development; complements diet. |
| 2-3 years | Optional, if desired | Comfort and bonding. |
| 3+ years | Continue if desired | Emotional support; less common. |
Maternal Health Fortification
Mothers who breastfeed for a longer time have a lower chance of getting breast. Also ovarian cancer. The reason behind it is the changes in the hormone levels that can protect against these cancers.
Similarly, breastfeeding helps mothers reduce the risk of heart disease. It also loses weight gained during pregnancy and normalizes the female.
Mental health is affected too in a positive way. Emma, who breastfeeds her older child, has noticed that her kids don’t get sick often, which she believes is due to breastfeeding. This observation aligns with the known benefits of extended breastfeeding.
