im still breastfeeding my five year old

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'I'm still breastfeeding my five year old'

Tuesday 26 August 2008

From the moment Elizabeth Coldwell-Hall fell pregnant, she was determined she would breastfeed. But while the majority of mums wean their babies at around six months old, Elizabeth just kept going.

Astonishingly, the mum-of-four still feeds daughter Andorra – even though she’s nearly five and has a full set of teeth. And she’ll even wet nurse her friends’ babies if they’re too busy to do it themselves.

“I don’t see anything wrong with it– I firmly believe breast is best,” says 42-year-old Elizabeth. “If a friend needs a hand with their babies, I’m always happy to help them out – I’ve got more than enough milk to go round.”

Elizabeth feeds her daughter every day, as well as giving her three solid meals, despite the fact she’ll be starting school full-time in September.

“She usually crawls into my bed at 6am asking for a feed,” reveals Elizabeth, from Hoyland, South Yorkshire. “But I have to remind her not to bite as it can be painful.”

Elizabeth, a part-time sales assistant, fed her eldest, Felix, now six, until he was 16 months old. Her twins, Mylo and Oscar, two, still breastfeed occasionally, although they have virtually weaned themselves off.

She says: “Felix naturally stopped breastfeeding – he just didn’t want to do it any more. The twins are the same. Now they only feed once or twice a week.

“I was disappointed when they stopped, but it’s their decision. I think Andorra’s carried on because she really enjoys the exclusive ‘mum’ time it gives her. She’ll stop when she’s ready.”

Elizabeth is aware her views are seen as strange by some people, but remains defiant. She says: “Some people might find it disgusting, but no one’s ever said anything to me about it.

“I believe it’s perfectly natural and I don’t care what other people think. I’m doing what’s right for my kids.”

She’s always had the support of husband Craig, 37, an electrician, when it comes to breastfeeding, even though the pair separated four months ago. “He’s never had any qualms about it,” she insists.

Elizabeth is so fired-up about the advantages of breast milk, she’s happy to provide it for her pals’ babies as well. She explains: “My friend’s baby was crying for milk, but her mum was in the middle of doing something, so I offered to feed her. She was delighted, and it was no different to feeding my own child. I’ll happily do it again.
“If a baby needs feeding and I’ve got milk on tap, why not? It doesn’t interfere with the bonding process – being a mother is about much more than that.

“Andorra wasn’t there – but if she had been, she probably would have asked if she could have some afterwards.”

Elizabeth doesn’t normally need to breastfeed Andorra in public now that she’s older, but says she wouldn’t ever rule it out. “If Andorra was upset, or was distressed and wanted comfort I wouldn’t think twice about feeding her in public,” she says. I would be happy to deal with any flak if it’s for my daughter’s benefit.”

Words by Victoria Raymond
Elizabeth appears in Other People’s Breast Milk on 9 September, 10pm, Channel 4