GMTV with Lorraine Kelly
28 January 2010
I just want to make it clear to anyone who may have watched this morning's GMTV with Lorraine that I am pro-breastfeeding - even if this did not come across in the programme.
I was invited on to the programme to discuss Ann Sinnott's new book "Breastfeeding older children", in which she advocates breastfeeding children up to the age of six years and beyond. In the book she says that a child who has been breast fed to their hearts content has a basic sunny aspect to their nature and is amazingly self confident and outgoing. In my opinion, Ann can (and should) breastfeed her children for as long as she wishes but I object to her implying that mothers who don't breastfeed for years on end will have less happy or healthy children. This is the view I wanted to impart to anyone watching the programme.
My brief from GM TV was to discuss whether it was nutritionally beneficial in a civilised country to continue to give children breast milk as opposed to cows milk beyond the age of two years. They did not want me to get sidetracked into extolling the virtues of breastfeeding because we were all agreed that "breast is best" and we wanted to focus on the subject in hand- which was extended breastfeeding.
Unfortunately, with time being so limited I think this was not made clear at the outset and some people watching the programme may have got the impression that I was dismissing the benefits of breastfeeding any baby whatever their age.
I want to make it absolutely clear that I am very pro-breastfeeding and also that I think it is the mother's decision as to how long she wishes to continue and it is not up to me or anyone else to set a limit on this. The reason I agreed to do this program was because I wanted the opportunity to reassure all the mothers who have not managed to breastfeed their children for years on end that they will have happy and healthy children.
Re my comments about breastmilk damaging teeth: it is a medical fact that anyone with teeth (from toddlers through to adulthood) should avoid snacking on sugary foods or drinks in between meals as this can cause tooth decay. This is one of the reasons why mothers who are bottlefeeding are advised to start weaning their baby onto a cup from the age of about six months and to avoid giving their baby a bottle last thing at night after their teeth have been brushed. The same applies to breastfeeding. Although breast milk is "good" it is still full of natural sugars which may cause dental decay just like any other sugary drinks which are given too often. I also think it is wrong to suggest that a child needs to be comforted and settled by being given a breastfeed - a hug and a cuddle should be enough for older children.