How old is too old to breastfeed

PORTSMOUTH, Va (WAVY) - A cover photo on TIME Magazine worries some doctors and breastfeeding organizations working toward better support and acceptance for nursing moms.

"The picture is inflammatory and it doesn't represent us," Nursing mom Erin Pease said. Pease is a member of the La Leche League, an international breastfeeding organization.

"I've nursed in all kinds of crazy places," she told WAVY.com.

She and her friends are afraid TIME magazine's cover shot depicting an older child breastfeeding, will shoot down what they've been working to gain, support and acceptance.

"I mean who stands around their house and like that? I mean we're sitting on our couch cuddling our babies."

The photo worries some doctors.

"I hope that message will not turn people off to breastfeeding because it truly is the best nutrition that a baby can get," pediatrician Robert Fink said.

'Baby' may be the keyword. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least 12 months, but it doesn't say you have to stop at a year, in fact it says "and thereafter for as long as mother and baby desire."

Pease nursed two children until they were between two and three, and knows others who've nursed five and six-year-olds.

"I'm not sure that's necessarily bad but sometimes there can be over attachment situations," Dr. Fink said

Dr. Fink contends kids who nurse too long may have trouble separating from Mom when its time to go to school, in some instances he believes the attachment is more for mom than baby.

"The baby, the child is totally in the driver's seat because believe me, you cannot force a child to nurse that doesn't want to," Pease added.

She claims Katie, who just turned one, will stop nursing when she's ready. So WAVY.com asked Pease, what if Katie is as old as the child on the TIME cover and still wants to do it.

"I don't know, I truly don't to be honest I would have to take it day by day." Today she's just glad the picture has people talking.

10 On Your Side checked with the World Health Organization to see at what age children in other countries stop breastfeeding. A WHO doctor said the median age is just less than two years with the exception of Rwanda at age three.