The mothers who believe there's nothing wrong with breastfeeding children over two (and here's their pictures to prove it) 

  • Natalie McCain said mothers who nurse toddlers are made to feel 'ashamed'
  • She hoped images of women breastfeeding their toddlers will end the 'taboo'
  • Photographer said she wants to help 'normalise' extended breastfeeding 

By Stephanie Linning for MailOnline

Published: 08:22 EST, 31 January 2017 | Updated: 11:00 EST, 31 January 2017

A photographer has released these intimate portraits of mothers nursing their toddlers in a bid to end the 'taboo' around nursing older children.

Natalie McCain, from Rockledge, Florida, said mothers who nurse their children past infancy, known as extended breastfeeding, are made to feel ashamed.

She told MailOnline: 'Women are told to nurse in the bathroom, to cover up, and it needs to stop. Women should be applauded for nursing, not criticized.'

The mother-of-two said she hoped the unretouched photographs, which show mothers nursing their children over two, would 'normalise' extended breastfeeding.

Intimate: Photographer Natalie McCan took photographs of mothers nursing their children past infancy, also known as extended breastfeeding, to help 'noramlaise' the decision

Stigma: The mothers said they were made to feel 'ashamed' and belittled by others

Taboo: The photographer said people are still unwilling to talk about breastfeeding toddlers

'I wanted to show how normal and natural it is to nurse past infancy,' she said. 'It is just a natural continuation of what you have been doing since birth.

'Many people judge extended nursing without truly understanding it. I hope that by seeing the images and reading the stories people will begin to understand it more and be less judgmental.' 

The women who were photographed also shared their experiences on motherhood, and their decision to continue to breastfeed, also known as nursing to full term. 

Mrs McCain, 30, who nursed both her children through the toddler years, said she hoped the black-and-white photographs, said she hoped people would read the stories 'with an open mind'. 

She added: 'Just because something feels wrong to you, it doesn't make it wrong for all.'  

One of the women photographed by Mrs McCain said the issue was that breasts were viewed as being 'sexual'. 

She said: 'This view places a stigma on breastfeeding, and especially on extended nursing... I would love to see our country as one that supports and encourages breastfeeding and natural, gentle methods of weaning.'

Supportive: This mother said her husband had been by her side every step of the journey

Setting an example: Seeing other women nursing is important to many mothers

Making changes: This mother told of how she continued to breastfeed through pregnancy

Self-conscious: 'I wish I could relax more when I nurse my daughter in public', this woman said

Rewarding: Many of the mothers spoke about the benefits of extended breastfeeding

Another said people 'unfairly judge things they don't understand', including breastfeeding. She added: 'Some people will always criticize parenting choices different from the ones they made. Exposure and education are the ways to change minds.' 

Some of the mothers admitted they were initially against the idea of nursing to full term, or did not understand what it meant. 

One woman said: 'The first time I saw a toddler nursing, I was definitely taken back. It can be shocking when it isn’t something that you see on a regular basis...

'I’m so thankful that I kept an open mind about nursing older children and continued into toddler-hood with both of them. Things definitely look different when you’re in it than looking from the outside.' 

The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding up to six months and 'breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods' for children 'up to two years old and beyond'. 

Proud: The mothers were interviewed by Ms McCain and told their own parenting stories

Bond: This mother said she will miss the way her daughter looks up at her while feeding

Childhood: Sharing her parenting story, this mother said: 'We make our kids grow up too fast'

Understanding: This mother was initially 'taken aback' when she saw a toddler nursing and said she was 'so thankful' she 'kept an open mind' to extended breastfeeding

Benefits: This proud mother called for a greater understanding of nursing a child to full term

Independent: This mother said her eldest son told her when he was ready to stop nursing

The WHO explains breast milk provides infants with nutrients needed for healthy development as well as antibodies to combat illnesses such as diarrhoea and pneumonia.

It adds that women who breastfeed are less likely to develop breast and ovarian cancer. 

However research published in Maternal & Child Nutrition in 2014 revealed that less than 1 per cent of British mothers are still exclusively breastfeeding a six-month-old. 

Women also reported being made to feel 'uncomfortable' and 'self-conscious' if they breastfed an older child in public. 

Irreplaceable: Tandem nursing can create a special bond between siblings, this mother said

Education: Personal experience and research helped this mother convince her family

Comfort: Mothers point to the importance of seeing women breastfeeding while growing up

Personal: The women said others 'judged' because they did not understand their decision

Open minded: This mother changed her stance following the birth of her first child

Connection: Mothers who nurse to full term comment on the bond they have with their child

The images will be published alongside the mothers' breastfeeding stories in her book  The Honest Body Project, which is available for preorder andwill be published in August 2017 by Skyhorse Publishing.

 

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