Parenting

Mum receives death threats for refusing to stop breastfeeding her kids and still feeds two-year-old up to 10 times a day


A MUM-OF-TWO has received death threats for breastfeeding her two daughters for as long as they wish.

Melissa Ostroth has even been accused of abuse after deciding to breastfeed her girls, Emilia, four and Wrenly, two, until they decide they want to stop.

The mum has been practising "natural term breastfeeding"

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The mum has been practising “natural term breastfeeding”Credit: MDWfeatures / @milkitivity_

The 34-year-old, who is a lactation consultant, has been practising “natural term breastfeeding” in which children breastfeed “on demand”.

The mum, who lives in Ohio with her daughters and husband Steve, 34, has been breastfeeding for five years in total, with just a three-month break when her eldest self-weaned while she was pregnant with her second.

Melissa was at the 20-week mark when Emilia – aged two at the time – decided she didn’t like the taste of colostrum – a breast fluid released towards the end of pregnancy and straight after birth, which contains high levels of nutrients and antibodies.

Now, Melissa breastfeeds her youngest daughter up to 10 times a day, but after sharing her journey on Instagram, has received vile comments from cruel trolls.

The mum-of-two will breastfeed her daughters until they decide they want to stop

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The mum-of-two will breastfeed her daughters until they decide they want to stopCredit: MDWfeatures / @milkitivity_
Her eldest self-weaned when Melissa was 20 weeks pregnant with her second little girl

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Her eldest self-weaned when Melissa was 20 weeks pregnant with her second little girlCredit: MDWfeatures / @milkitivity_
Melissa studied infant nutrition for four years

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Melissa studied infant nutrition for four yearsCredit: MDWfeatures / @milkitivity_

The mum-of-two has received death threats, been accused of child abuse and told she’s only breastfeeding for her own benefit.

Melissa, who studied infant nutrition for four years, says the biggest misconception around breastfeeding is that milk declines in nutritional value as the child increases in age.

“Breastmilk changes with a child’s needs and age,” she explained.

“That’s the beauty of breastfeeding. It increases in proteins lactoferrin, lysozyme and immunoglobulin A.

“It also continues to provide 29 per cent of energy requirements, 43 per cent of protein requirements, 36 per cent of calcium requirements, 75 per cent of vitamin A requirements, 76 per cent of folate requirements, 94 per cent of vitamin B12 requirements, 60 per cent of vitamin C requirements.

“Breastmilk provides all the immunoglobulins the immune system takes to develop, which takes around five years.

Sadly, the mum has received death threats from cruel trolls

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Sadly, the mum has received death threats from cruel trollsCredit: MDWfeatures / @milkitivity_
She has also been accused of breastfeeding for herself

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She has also been accused of breastfeeding for herselfCredit: MDWfeatures / @milkitivity_

“Why? Because we were designed to continue breastfeeding past infancy.

“Aside from the health benefits, breastfeeding is more than just food.

“It is comfort, a natural anti-anxiety, a sleep aid and a bonding love.

“I breastfed my first until I was 20 weeks pregnant when she self-weaned.

“My milk turned back into colostrum and she didn’t like the taste of it.

“I remember watching my mother breastfeed my brothers.

“I’ve always felt comfortable breastfeeding; I know that was the right decision for our family.”

Melissa has been breastfeeding since the kids were newborn

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Melissa has been breastfeeding since the kids were newbornCredit: MDWfeatures / @milkitivity_
The mum gets a lot of positive feedback from her Instagram community, too

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The mum gets a lot of positive feedback from her Instagram community, tooCredit: MDWfeatures / @milkitivity_

Despite a lot of positive feedback, Melissa has suffered horrendous online abuse.

“Online I receive a lot of positive feedback, but also some very negative and hateful remarks,” she explained.

“In public, I’ve been thanked for breastfeeding my child without a cover and not in a bathroom.

“I receive many negative comments, even death threats and requests that I kill myself.

“The internet can be rough, but the positives keep me going. The messages where a mum tells me that they needed to hear that today, and because of my post they have the confidence to keep breastfeeding as they had intended to.

“One of the biggest questions and concerns I receive after the mother has established breastfeeding is, ‘what do I say to the negative comments I receive about planning or currently breastfeeding my toddler?’

“So many mothers, including myself, have had to endure comments and questions such as; ‘when are you going to cut the cord?’ or, ‘you know there’s no benefits from breastfeeding past x amount of months.’ or, ‘at this point you’re just doing it for yourself.’

“Even worse comments like ‘this is borderline abusive, and CPS should be called on you.’

“In today’s society it seems the majority are uneducated and do not understand natural term weaning, although we’ve been doing this since the beginning of time.

“Society has a tendency to sexualise extended breastfeeding or have the idea that it’s all for the mother’s own benefit.

Melissa wants to raise awareness and help other mums who want to continue breastfeeding

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Melissa wants to raise awareness and help other mums who want to continue breastfeedingCredit: MDWfeatures / @milkitivity_
She says breastfeeding toddlers can be more difficult

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She says breastfeeding toddlers can be more difficultCredit: MDWfeatures / @milkitivity_
Sometimes they want to nurse at inconvenient times

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Sometimes they want to nurse at inconvenient timesCredit: MDWfeatures / @milkitivity_

“I manage a breastfeeding and parenting support page and as soon as a child over the age of one is featured breastfeeding, the shaming comments start rolling in.”

Despite her dedication, Melissa explains how breastfeeding a toddler is a new challenge.

“It comes with a whole new set of challenges. Some (like mine) will want to continue to breastfeed every two to three hours,” she said.

“Although these sessions tend to be shorter, they tend to be rougher and the child is more easily distracted.

“Just like any child they will also want to nurse at inconvenient times, they just happen to be much bigger and vocal.

“With an older child you usually have to instil boundaries which can be hard.

“There are so many opinions surrounding natural term weaning. Many mothers hide the fact they are still breastfeeding.

“I want mothers to know they are not alone, to remind them of the benefits, why they should feel comfortable to continue to breastfeed, and give them some answers they can tell others who ask them about it.”

Melissa says many mums hide the fact they are still breastfeeding

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Melissa says many mums hide the fact they are still breastfeedingCredit: MDWfeatures / @milkitivity_
The mum-of-two says it's OK to want to continue breastfeeding

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The mum-of-two says it’s OK to want to continue breastfeedingCredit: MDWfeatures / @milkitivity_

Melissa now uses her Instagram, @milkitivity_ to inspire other mums to show they shouldn’t feel ashamed about extended breastfeeding.

“I hope to spread factual breastfeeding information,” she said.

“There is so much misinformation about breastfeeding. Women need the facts, they need the support, and they need a non-judgmental community.

“When it comes to extended breastfeeding, I want people to know the facts. I want them understand why mothers decide to parent in this way.

“It’s not for ourselves, it’s not always easy, but it’s what works for our family.

“We do it for the benefits physically and emotionally. And yes, we both benefit from it. We do it because both our child and we desire to do it.

“It’s OK to want to continue to breastfeed past infancy.

“It’s not taboo, it’s not unnatural, and it’s not selfish. Our child still has a need and we are responding to that.”

In other parenting news, we told you gender neutral baby names like Quinn, River and Bailey are set to be all the rage in 2020.

We also revealed one mum creates amazing Batman bedroom for her comic-obsessed son using B&M and eBay buys for £66.

And we showed you how one mum hits out at mother-in-law after she secretly tried to pierce toddler’s ears behind her back.

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