American TV personality and model Coco Austin has publicly addressed and defended her decision to breastfeed her daughter, Chanel, until the child was six years old. The 46-year-old, who is married to rapper and actor Ice-T, described the extended nursing period as a profound bonding experience for mother and child.
A Decision Rooted in Comfort and Connection
During a recent appearance on Bunnie Xo's Dumb Blonde podcast, Austin clarified that her daughter was fully capable of eating solid foods by the age of one. She emphasised that breastfeeding at an older age was not about nutrition but about emotional connection and comfort. It wasn't like I was feeding her because she needed a meal, Austin explained. She stated that the choice was child-led, with the intention of letting Chanel decide when she was ready to stop. I was gonna let her stop when she wants to stop, she said.
Navigating Public Perception and Cultural Norms
Austin acknowledged that breastfeeding a six-year-old is considered controversial by many, particularly in the United States. However, she expressed a lack of concern over public opinion and pointed to different cultural practices, noting that in some parts of Europe, children are breastfed until age seven. She was confident the phase would end naturally, quipping, She's not gonna be 16 on my boob. Austin shared that her daughter eventually found the practice strange herself, which led to weaning around her sixth birthday.
The model revealed that Chanel was mostly comforted by breastfeeding, especially at bedtime, and described her daughter as being obsessed with boobs. Austin cherished these moments, acknowledging that the close physical bond of childhood is fleeting. She received support from many who agreed with her approach, despite the controversy. Reflecting on the experience, Austin valued the intimate connection, knowing that such closeness often diminishes as children enter their teenage years.
