Mum who breastfeeds sons 7 and 4 hits back at trolls asking her to stop

A mum who still breastfeeds her seven-year-old autistic son has hit back at online trolls who branded her a "paedophile" and "sick".

Australian Lisa Bridger, 46, revealed in a Kidspot post in June that she still feeds her autistic son Chase, and his four-year-old brother Pheonix, who is also autistic.

She defended her choice, saying breastfeeding calms them .

Since she has been bombarded with cruel comments claiming she was damaging her child and even accusing her of child abuse and incest, in an open letter posted to Kidspot , Lisa said she would have continued to breastfeed Chase until he no longer wanted it, even if he didn’t have autism.

She wrote:

To the adults who have commented that I am sick and need to get help, there is nothing mentally wrong with me, I am only doing what is natural.

It's not a s-xual act, I’m not a paedophile which is what quite a few have suggested.

My son is very independent, self-assured, not damaged. His friends and peers don't tease as they have been educated in the fact that what he is doing is ok.

Watching and seeing all you adults bully and abuse me, telling me what I need to do for your comfort, overriding my child's comfort, I can see why so many children bully these days.

She added that her son uses a cup for water, eats normal food - although he is “picky” and dresses himself.

This is proof, according to Lisa, that his extended breastfeeding was doing nothing to slow his development.

Breast milk contains some amazing things, antibodies, white blood cells, vitamins that my body produces and transfers to his, and no these nutrients don't just disappear because he's older. Breastfeeding offers him comfort and security among other things, she added.