What to Know
I breastfed my son until about two months before his fourth birthday. Breastfeeding was about his needs, and when we both felt ready, it was over. I attribute our closeness even now that he’s a tween to the years we spent breastfeeding. Most moms who breastfeed their children past the age of two seem to get a lot of backlash from people who are literally not affected by our choices. Celebrity toddler mom Rumer Willis recently shared a video to address those people, and she said what so many of us extended breastfeeding moms have always wanted to say.
Her response was delightfully tongue-in-cheek.
Willis posted a cheeky Reel to her Instagram account. In the beginning, she is sitting in a chair breastfeeding her almost three-year-old daughter Louetta while calm and peaceful music plays.
“When someone starts judging my parenting,” it says.
The video then cuts to a clip of a woman in front of a white board.
“This is my business, she says, drawing a circle. “And this is yours,” she says, drawing another circle.
“I am here,” she says, drawing an X in her circle. “The problem is, you are also here, when you need to be here,” she first draws another X in her circle before making an arrow to the empty circle.
Willis then captioned the post “Sorry, not sorry.”
Many people were supportive of Rumer Willis and her journey.
“You clearly have this safe and beautiful relationship with your daughter, providing her with comfort and love. You do you. And you are brave and honest enough to show it. I think your Family in General is an example of what love can do!” one commenter wrote.
“Your daughter knows who you are. She feels your love. And that’s what matters most. Stay rooted in that truth. You are doing an amazing job—don’t let anyone make you question that,” someone else said.
“Breastfeeding my daughter when she was 3 was the sweetest thing. Enjoy and enjoy….its L O V E L Y. And so good for both of you.”
“Nursed my daughter until she was 4 yrs old….yes there was judgement but I didn’t care! Do u!!”
“Good for you, your child is lucky to have such a resilient and selfless mother. Extended breastfeeding is biologically normal, and fosters a healthy and secure attachment.”
Of course, there were still haters in the comments too.
People just couldn’t help but tell Rumer Willis that they believe her video was courting attention, just like they believe extended breastfeeding does.
“Do whatever you want but posting it on Instagram is literally asking for opinions that you know you won’t like,” one person tried to reason.
“By posting your private moments with your daughter, you are making it everyone’s business,” someone else added.
“When you put a phone or whatever electronic to record it for the whole world to see it… then it’s not your business anymore, the whole world can have access to comment and say their opinions since YOU are making it as it is!!!! So take it!”
“No one is judging your parenting, just posting breast feeding…..which you’ve now made public and everyone’s business.”
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