Breastfeeding is one of those parenting topics that can still cause a lot of division. And all of that can likely be traced back to the fact that parents who breastfeed are often damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
For a long time, breastfeeding was taboo. Then it became the only choice, and parents who didn’t nurse would endure shaming. And even after all that, it can still cause debate in the parenting space.
But we all know that fed is best, and every parent wants the best for their kids. For some, that means formula or pumping or breastfeeding for a bit and supplementing with something else. And extended breastfeeding might be what’s ideal for others.
Extended breastfeeding is considered breastfeeding past the first year. And it can have a lot of benefits for not only the baby but the parent, too. It’s not particularly common in the United States, but it’s more common in other places around the world.
In recent years, celebrity breastfeeding has become a topic of conversation. Some celebrities have shared that extended breastfeeding works best for their family.
Since extended nursing can be quite polarizing, breastfeeding celebrities opening up about the benefits helps normalize the practice. And that’s always a good thing.
Mayim Bialik
Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik is a passionate advocate of extended breastfeeding. She nursed her son until he was 4.
She once shared on her blog, “I never ever believed that I would be nursing a child over the age of 3. But now that I am, I believe when he is done, he will be done. I believe that he will not need to nurse before he walks down the aisle to greet his bride… and I believe that nursing is natural and beautiful and wonderful.”
Kourtney Kardashian
Kourtney Kardashian is a huge fan of breastfeeding. She nursed her three older kids well past a year old — despite the protests of her famous family.
She revealed to E! News, “I mean, everyone would say, ‘It’s time, it’s time, come on.’ I started to stop a little bit, weaning and all that, and I’m like, ‘Why am I doing this? If I’m happy and he’s happy.'”
Alicia Silverstone
Clueless star Alicia Silverstone, who’s mama to son Bear Blu, has been a huge proponent of breastfeeding. She was even photographed nursing an 11-month-old Bear while walking.
In her book Kind Mama, she wrote, “Nurse like it’s your destiny.” She started the Kind Mama Milk Share program, which allows mothers with an oversupply of breast milk to give it to moms who can’t nurse.
Coco Austin
Coco Austin inspired everyone to talk about extended breastfeeding. She sparked the conversation when she shared that, at 5 years old, her daughter, Chanel, was still breastfeeding.
She explained at the time that she had no plans to wean her daughter until her daughter was ready. And for Coco, practicing extended breastfeeding was good for her, too. “It’s a big bonding moment for a mother and child,” she explained.
Miranda Kerr
Model mom Miranda Kerr breastfed her son Flynn for a year and a half. She described her nursing experience as “the most natural thing in the world.” She added, “I love it and the bonding time we have during these precious and beautiful moments.”
Alanis Morissette
From angsty singer to devoted mom, Alanis Morissette was still nursing son Ever well past his second year, and she had no qualms about going longer. “I know some children who have weaned naturally at 2 years, some kids wean naturally a couple of years later. I mean, it’s up to every child,” she told Good Morning America.
Gisele Bündchen
Who could forget that now-infamous photo of supermodel Gisele Bündchen breastfeeding her daughter, Vivienne — who was 1 at the time — while being attended to by her glam squad? Mama knows how to multitask!
Bekah Martinez
Bekah Martinez, who we first met on The Bachelor series, welcomed two kids in two years and at one point was tandem nursing them. She previously spoke about being hesitant to wean her 2-year-old when she welcomed a new baby, and in turn, normalized it for so many.
Thandie Newton
In 2020, Thandiwe Newton shared a photo on Instagram, which has since been deleted, of her breastfeeding her then-2-year-old son, Booker Jombe, at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk, England.
Nelly Furtado
Canadian singer Nelly Furtado opened up in 2009 about breastfeeding her daughter Nevis for two years. She credited that time with helping her connect with her body and learn to love all her new curves. “I was pregnant for nine months and breastfeeding for two years. My body was completely hijacked; for all the best reasons,” she said.
Kelly Preston
In 2012, the late actress Kelly Preston revealed to People that she was still breastfeeding her then-16-month-old son, Benjamin. “When I stop, it’s going to be really hard on me,” she said. “I love nursing so much.”
Alyssa Milano
Alyssa Milano has always been a supporter of mothers, and she’s always been open about her breastfeeding journey. She previously shared that she was still breastfeeding her daughter at 16 months old and called it “one of the greatest joys” in her life.
Nikki Reed
Actress Nikki Reed and her husband, Ian Somerhalder, are parents to a little girl named Bodhi Soleil. Nikki had previously been open about her breastfeeding journey. In 2019, she penned an Instagram post talking about breastfeeding her then-20-month-old daughter and encouraged other moms to do what’s right for them and their babies.
Selma Blair
Selma Blair is mom to a son named Arthur. She’s always been open about motherhood and the challenges and good times that come along with it. That includes getting candid about breastfeeding her son until after he turned 2.
Danica McKellar
Winnie Cooper loves to breastfeed and is proud of it! Former Wonder Years star Danica McKellar nursed son Draco until he was two and a half. She told other moms, “You can breastfeed as long as it works for both you and your child, you know? For me it was two and a half, and for you it might be three and a half or three months or whatever it is that works.”
Kelly Rutherford
Gossip Girl star Kelly Rutherford told OK! magazine in 2009 that she was still breastfeeding her son, Hermes, who was nearly 3 at the time, due in part to her belief that it was the ecologically responsible thing to do. “I’m an eco-breastfeeding mom,” she explained. “It’s not good for everyone, but it has been great for me. In the beginning nutritionally or as time goes on, it’s a bond or a nurturing thing.”
Erykah Badu
“On & On” singer Erykah Badu breastfed her son Seven for two years and said he ended up being a very independent child — though initially she thought it would be the opposite.
“I was very worried that he was going to be attached since we were together every day, but I guess it made him feel comfortable, like, ‘I know she’s around. She’ll be there.’ It made me feel like a very responsible person.”
