Why Karen Millen Is Under Fire For Saying Parents Who Breastfeed After Six Months Are 'Addicted'
Fashion designer Karen Millen has apologised after criticising mums who breastfeed their children beyond the age of six months, labelling it 'selfish' and 'not normal'.
The designer appeared on Vanessa Feltz' Channel 5 show, Vanessa, and said there were 'no benefits' for the child and claimed it is the parents who become addicted. 'There's no benefit, is there, for a child to be breastfed beyond six months, really. I think it's quite a selfish thing on the mother's part. I just think that's not good emotionally for that child.'
Millen's comments were met with backlash online with some calling them 'mum shaming' and others accusing her of spreading misinformation. Of course, there are plenty of parents who are proud advocates of breastfeeding beyond infancy.
The following day, Millen issued an apology on social media, saying: 'The question was aimed at a three-year-old being breastfed and my thoughts on that and my answers reflected that, not the subject of breastfeeding. And as a woman to women, I do respect your choices and I do want to support you.'
However, these comments have also prompted widespread criticism. The Instagram account @boobtofood wrote, 'This isn't a full apology and it continues to spread misinformation. A 6 or 7 month old is not a toddler. Breastfeeding beyond infancy is normal, beneficial and recommended by the World Health Organisation.'
While @miswifemarley added, 'When discussing topics like this on TV, it would be beneficial to also have an expert in infant feeding available, to negate opinions that the general public may deem as truth.'
However, another viewer defended Millen and wrote, 'She was asked for her thoughts and gave her opinion. Chill out! I didn't breastfeed my child and my child has rarely been ill.'
The comedian Katherine Ryan also chimed in to say, 'Everyone knows: an infant baby becomes a FULL CALF at six months old and that's when milk from a natural source (cow) becomes more suitable than milk from its mother of the same birth species.'
A comment on the parenting forum Mumsnet perhaps best summarises the debate. 'You're not allowed to get it right as a mother, are you?' it reads. 'Bad if you don't breastfeed but also bad if you breastfeed for too long, apparently.'
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