A mother is facing a global firestorm for breastfeeding her 4-year-old and her reason for refusing to stop is silencing the ‘creepy’ accusations
Everyone’s a critic.
Shinnai Visser, an Instagram creator known for her “primal mothering” approach, is pushing back against critics calling her decision to breastfeed her four-year-old daughter “inappropriate” and “creepy.” Visser, who operates under the handle @mindful_mama_za, has built an online community by sharing her experiences and hosting retreats for mothers and babies. However, her choice to continue breastfeeding her older child has ignited a fierce debate online.
According to LADBible, the Cape Town-based mother often receives comments branding her actions as “sick,” “creepy,” or just plain “inappropriate.” Some people don’t hold back when they disagree with her methods, even if they don’t have children themselves.
Visser, a mother of two, isn’t letting the negativity silence her, though. She recently spoke out, saying, “Some people assume it’s about my needs rather than my child’s, which couldn’t be further from the truth.” She added, “If you have ever breastfed, you will know I am not doing this for me.” Her words shift the focus from her to her child’s well-being. She emphasizes that her decision to continue breastfeeding is entirely led by her child’s needs.
Visser’s take makes you rethink modern society’s perceptions of ‘normal’
Visser points out that earlier, humans traditionally breastfed for much longer periods than what’s common today. “When I learned that humans historically breastfed far longer than we do today, it reframed the idea that extended breastfeeding is unusual,” she explained. “It’s not biologically strange – it’s culturally unfamiliar.”
For those wondering about the specifics, Visser clarified that her elder daughter doesn’t breastfeed as frequently as her youngest. She described it as “very minimal and very intentional.” This isn’t a constant thing; it’s a specific, considered part of their routine.
While the NHS recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, there’s no set rule on how long you should continue. Some healthcare experts suggest breastfeeding until a child is two years old, alongside introducing solid foods, which they consider ideal if a mother is able to do so.
In some cultures, it’s totally normal for children to breastfeed for even longer periods. There are even studies that suggest children can be breastfed for as long as their first seven years. So, while extended breastfeeding can definitely be controversial, as Visser’s experience shows, it’s not unheard of.
Beyond the cultural debate, breastfeeding offers some pretty significant benefits for both mother and child, according to UNICEF. It can really help strengthen the maternal bond, which is something many parents strive for, and it plays a crucial role in building up a baby’s immune system.
It’s clear Visser isn’t alone in her views. Many of her followers have jumped to her defense, highlighting that breastfeeding is a completely natural act. One person commented, “Western society is crazy, imagine pushing mothers more and more away from biological norms.”
Another fan simply penned, “honestly don’t understand why people are so bothered by breastfeeding.. it baffles me every day.” You know, a third supporter put it pretty succinctly by saying, “Everyone else needs to mind their own business.”
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