Mums clap back at Karen Millen breastfeeding comments as NHS issue guidance
Karen Millen has come under fire for her divisive remarks on breastfeeding and mums have had their say
Mothers have made their feelings clear about comments made by Karen Millen after she said breastfeeding an infant after six months is "selfish".
The fashion designer came under fire after making a series of damaging claims about breastfeeding during her appearance on The Vanessa Show earlier this week.
Karen, 63, claimed on the Channel 5 programme that it was "selfish" for mothers to continue to breastfeed their children after six months of age, sparking fury online.
Appearing on Wednesday's show (June 11), Karen discussed a video of a mother breastfeeding her three-year-old.
She said: "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."
Vanessa, 63, asked: "Do you?" To which Karen replied: "I do, actually." When asked why she feels that way, Karen explained: "Well, I just think, you know, that's not good emotionally for that child."
Karen issued an apology via Vanessa following the controversial admission, but it seems it has done little to pacify breastfeeding experts and mothers - some of whom took to Mumsnet to share their opinions on the matter.
One poster wrote: "According to Karen Millen (who is, notably, a clothing designer and not a child development expert), breastfeeding beyond six months has no benefit for the child, is selfish, and is a sign of addiction.
"You're not allowed to get it right as a mother, are you? Bad if you don't breastfeed but also bad if you breastfeed for too long, apparently.
"God knows why Karen Millen was being asked for her opinion on the subject in the first place."
A second parent gave their perspective, writing: "It was so icky and the apology wasn't good either. They needed to emphasise the guidance and the benefits but she just kind of reiterated herself. Disappointed."
A third agreed, fuming: "I get so annoyed about so called " celebrities" giving their ignorant and ill-informed opinions about anything outside their own area of experience. It is so irresponsible and damaging.
"How dare she? What a stupid statement."
Other parents weren't so bothered by Karen's statements, though.
"I didn't feel rage, because I (mostly) agree with her," one admitted.
"Not necessarily that it's an addiction, but that there's no need to breastfeed babies past six months,"
Another questioned: "Rage because someone asked her opinion? No, I don't feel that way. I wouldn't even let this bother me. People have opinions on everything I simply can't go around choosing to be offended by everything I hear and disagree with. It would be exhausting."
A third said: "Look what's going on in America with false information around vaccines etc, false information giving out by the actual US Secretary of Health. People have their own brains to make informed decisions."
The NHS recommends that mothers "breastfeed your baby exclusively... for the first six months months of their life" but maintained breastfeeding "still has lots of benefits for you and your baby after six months".
"It protects them from infections and there's some evidence that it helps with the digestion of your baby's first solid foods," the NHS website states. It also continues to provide the balance of nutrients your baby needs.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation states: "WHO recommends you keep breastfeeding your child up to two years and beyond and for as long as you both want to continue.
"Breastfeeding never stops protecting children from infectious disease."
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