‘I’d like to carry on until she is TEN': Mother claims long-term breastfeeding has made her daughter smarter.

Miira Dawson, a mother from the U.K., came under fire for her unusual child-rearing practice: She decided to continue breastfeeding her daughter for years beyond what the average mother anticipates.

In 2015, Tara was 5 years old and still suckling on her mother’s breast. Dawson insists that it will allow her daughter to reach her full potential, reported Daily Mail.

“I think it is a lovely thing for a baby to grow up and remember being breastfed, as not many people would be able to say this — plus there are all the health and IQ benefits,” Dawson said.  “Most people ask me when I am planning on stopping, but I don’t have any pressure from my husband.”

Mrs Dawson, who also has a two-year-old son called Ray Lee, nurses both children three times a day and shares a bed with them.

Mrs Dawson says that while other parents may raise eyebrows at her decision, the benefits of extended breastfeeding are scientifically proven

She told student newspaper The Tab: ‘Most people ask me when I am planning on stopping but I don’t have any pressure from my husband.

‘I don’t think other mums are bothered really. It’s none of their business but they may raise their eyebrows.

‘We co-sleep as well. I’m in the middle with one either side. It’s fine. We go to bed and sleep and have milk and get out when we wake up.

‘My children have never had to cry to sleep, or sleep on their own, or wake in the night and be afraid – because I’m there.

‘I think it’s unnatural for children to sleep on their own. They are not biologically suited to sleep on their own.

‘There’s a lot of research saying breast feeding and bed sharing protects them from sudden death syndrome.’

Miira does worry about what will happen when she does eventually stop producing milk and says Tara becomes upset when that scenario is raised.

‘Every time I mention it to her she looks so sad,’ says Mrs Dawson. ‘She said the other day she was going to have noo noo (their term for breastfeeding) forever.”

Recently a mum was accused of incest after she shared videos tandem feeding her nearly five year old and two year old boys.

PLUS another Mum shared videos feeding her four year old to encourage women to consider breastfeeding older children.

What are the benefits of extended breastfeeding?
•Your milk will still give your child the benefits of your antibodies and pass on immunity to bugs you have been exposed to.
•Feeding your older child can give them a lot of comfort and reassurance, and will allow you to continue with all the lovely physical bonding that breastfeeding can provide.
•Weaning when your child is older may make the whole process a lot easier and let it come to a natural close rather than an arbitrary and abrupt end.
•Breasts make very portable comforters. Feeding can be used to calm your child down and give some instant comfort and security.

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Image Daily Mail