Sarah & Olivia (4 years 3 months)

"Breastfeeding is so much more than physical nutrition, especially when it comes to my eldest, it built that bond, it brought comfort to her and helped me not to see my body as such a failure. I remember saying, during pregnancy that I wanted to breastfeed, but I would never feed a school age child. How wrong could I be. Olivia is starting school this week and there is no sign of her slowing down. She is at such a huge transition phase of her life and to take away something at that point especially, that brings her such calm and comfort would be completely the wrong thing to do. Both babies and toddlers can desire comfort nursing when they’re going through periods of exceptional growth, are in pain, struggling to fall asleep, or just seeking connection. The connection and bonding felt during this nurturing embrace can provide such beneficial psychological effects. I have said for a long time now that it is also an invaluable parenting tool, by soothing a tired, injured or frustrated toddler and helping to promote sleep.

We will stop, one day, but who knows when that will be."

Outtakes from my new Milk book project, about mother's breastfeeding beyond babyhood.