A mother who still breastfeeds her 7-year-old son and his 4-year-old brother has been criticized by social media users who called her a sick paedophile. But she has hit back at the trolls.
Australian Lisa Bridger, 46, revealed in a Kidspot post in June that she still feeds her autistic son Chase, 7, and his four-year-old brother Pheonix, who is also autistic. She defended her decision by saying breastfeeding calms them.
But her post was bombarded with comments from people who told her that she was damaging her children. Some even accused her of incest and child abuse.
Replying to the harsh comments, Lisa wrote an open letter posted to Kidspot today. In the letter, Lisa said she would have continued to breastfeed Chase until he no longer wanted it, even if he didn’t have autism.
Her letter reads:
To the adults who have commented that I am sick and need to get help, there is nothing mentally wrong with me, I am only doing what is natural.
It’s not a sexual act, I’m not a paedophile which is what quite a few have suggested.
My son is very independent, self-assured, not damaged. His friends and peers don’t tease as they have been educated in the fact that what he is doing is ok.
Watching and seeing all you adults bully and abuse me, telling me what I need to do for your comfort, overriding my child’s comfort, I can see why so many children bully these days.
Lisa explained that her son uses a cup to drink water, eats normal food – although he is “picky” – and dresses himself. This, she said, is proof that his extended breastfeeding was doing nothing to slow his development.
She added:
Breast milk contains some amazing things, antibodies, white blood cells, vitamins that my body produces and transfers to his, and no these nutrients don’t just disappear because he’s older. Breastfeeding offers him comfort and security among other things.
She also revealed that she breastfeeds only at night, or “to help reconnect after a meltdown”, although sometimes he preferred a hug.
Lisa added that her 7-year-old son will stop breastfeeding when his milk teeth fall out.
She said:
I don’t need a man, it’s not a sexual act, you can’t force a baby or toddler or older child to breastfeed, in fact I’m ready for him to wean whenever as I have been for quite some time.