Makes Milk with Emma Pickett: breastfeeding from the beginning to the end Breastfeeding a 4 year old with Stella and Michelle
Jan 6, 2026
Stella and Michelle discuss the unique journey of breastfeeding their nearly five-year-olds, sharing the challenges and societal perceptions they faced. They emphasize the importance of following instincts while setting boundaries, especially when it comes to family judgment. The guests also reflect on the emotional bonds formed through breastfeeding and offer practical advice for managing feeding during transitional phases, like starting school. They advocate for modeling extended breastfeeding as normal, countering misconceptions with their positive experiences.
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Second Child Continued Long Feeding
- Stella breastfed her second daughter Ada continuously and aimed for natural-term feeding.
- She realised later that her first child Iris's weaning had mixed child and parent influences.
Don't Force Weaning Rituals
- If a child self-weans quietly, avoid imposing a ritual unless the child wants one.
- Save celebrations for when they're meaningful to the child, not just to the parent.
A Long Morning Feed Routine
- Stella described a 30-minute morning feed where Ada chose sides and swapped herself.
- Ada had set morning and bedtime feeds but no daytime or overnight feeds after February.
