Reality TV star Coco Austin has sparked debate after revealing on the podcast “Dumb Blonde” that she breastfed her daughter Chanel until the age of six. While many mothers choose to wean their children around a year or two, Austin’s decision prompted a wave of online criticism, but she’s pushing back against the negativity.
Austin clarified that by Chanel’s first birthday, she was already eating solid foods and no longer relied on breastfeeding for nutrition. Instead, the practice evolved into a comfort ritual, primarily before bedtime when Chanel sought her mother’s presence.
“She wanted to be around me,” Austin explained. “It was more of a comfort thing.” She emphasized that she trusted Chanel would eventually understand the shift away from breastfeeding, stating, “She’s not going to be 16 on my boob. She’s eventually going to figure out that this is kinda strange or weird and stop.”
This ultimately occurred around age six. Austin’s candidness about her parenting choices comes amidst ongoing discussions surrounding breastfeeding norms and the relentless scrutiny mothers face online. This isn’t the first time extended breastfeeding has ignited controversy. Celebrities like Selma Blair, Alyssa Milano, and Nikki Reed have also publicly advocated for extending beyond traditional weaning ages, often stopping around two or two and a half years old.
On “The Tamron Hall Show,” Austin spoke openly about the relentless negativity she encounters. While acknowledging the lack of recognition for positive parenting choices, she stressed her unwavering commitment to Chanel: “You just want a little love, a little respect from people.”
Austin and her husband, rapper Ice-T, have been together for over two decades and welcomed their daughter Chanel in 2015. This instance highlights the ongoing debate surrounding individual parenting decisions and the challenges mothers face navigating public judgment in an age of relentless online scrutiny.
