Breastfeeding Beyond Six Months: A Necessary Conversation
Despite strong public health recommendations, the question of how long to breastfeed keeps resurfacing. Often, it is driven by celebrity soundbites or poorly informed social media posts. A recent example came from designer Karen Millen, who claimed there is “no need” to breastfeed beyond six months.
At first glance, comments like these may seem harmless, but they can have a real effect on how parents feel about their choices. When someone with a public platform undermines established guidance, it adds pressure and doubt to families already navigating complex decisions.
What the Evidence Tells Us
Current guidance from the NHS and the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for around the first six months, then continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods for at least two years, or for as long as parent and child choose.
Breastmilk does not lose its value after six months. Its composition adapts as babies grow, offering:
- Immune support through antibodies
- Continued hydration and gut protection
- Nutritional back-up during illness or fussy eating
- Comfort and emotional regulation, especially during stressful periods
During hot weather, like the current heatwave affecting parts of the UK, breastfed babies often feed more frequently. This is a natural response to increased fluid needs and should be supported, not discouraged.
The Harm Caused by Misinformation
Misinformation does not just lead to confusion, it can directly undermine a parent’s confidence. For many, breastfeeding beyond six months is already a decision made under social pressure, work stress, or past feeding difficulties. When a public figure dismisses the value of that effort, it can lead parents to question themselves, even when things are going well.
Feeding decisions are rarely made in isolation. Confidence, support, mental health, culture, and access to evidence all play a role. When that evidence is distorted or dismissed, parents may stop feeding earlier than they wanted to, not because it was right for them, but because they felt unsupported.
Feeding Challenges and the Impact of CMPA
Breastfeeding beyond six months can be especially complex for families managing allergy symptoms. Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) is the most common infant food allergy and often presents subtly. Symptoms may look like reflux, colic, poor sleep, eczema, or general feeding difficulty.
While more commonly recognised in formula-fed infants, CMPA can absolutely occur in breastfed babies. In these cases, the parent may need to eliminate dairy, and sometimes soy, from their own diet. This requires careful planning, emotional support, and encouragement to continue feeding if that is their goal.
In these moments, even a passing comment about breastfeeding being “pointless” can do real harm. It minimises the effort that parent is making, and it may push them toward stopping, not out of choice, but out of doubt.
The Role of the Practitioner
As perinatal professionals, we have a key role in countering misinformation and restoring trust. This means:
- Sharing up-to-date, evidence-based guidance
- Supporting each parent’s informed decisions
- Recognising and validating the emotional weight of feeding choices
- Providing clear support for allergy-related feeding concerns
When parents feel seen, heard, and respected, they are more likely to continue feeding in ways that feel right for their family. Our role is not to push or persuade, but to create space for confident, informed decisions.
Build Your Confidence in Supporting Infant Feeding
If you work with families in the perinatal period, having a clear, practical understanding of infant feeding challenges is essential. Our Advanced Infant Feeding Coach™ Certification is designed to help professionals feel equipped to support families facing complex decisions, including allergy concerns and emotional dynamics.
You can learn more about the training and explore whether it’s the right fit for your practice here.
