Even though many women choose to wean their babies when they return to work, or once a baby begins solid foods, it's also common to choose to breastfeed past one year. This practice is known as extended breastfeeding.
However, this decision can be controversial because of societal pressures.
Here are a few celebrities who were open about their breastfeeding journeys and chose to nurse past the one year mark. Their example helps normalize extended breastfeeding.
Nikki Reed recently revealed that she plans on continuing to breastfeed her 19-month-old daughter, Bodhi.
She took a moment to reflect on this journey and how it will be over before she knows it.
Kourtney Kardashian breastfed her oldest son Mason until he was 14-months-old and had a hard time accepting that it was over.
"I seriously could cry just thinking about it being over. I love what a beautiful experience I had with my son and just wanted to share it,” she said in a blog post.
Miranda Kerr shared photos of her breastfeeding experiences from Day One with her son, Flynn.
"I nursed for a year and a half, and I pumped when I was at work," she said.
Gisele broke the internet when she shared this photo of her getting ready while breastfeeding her one-year-old daughter. This photo proves that moms are multi-tasking superheroes.
Salma nursed her daughter for over a year and found it difficult to wean her.
"I'm like an alcoholic. It is like, I don't care if I cry, I don't care if I am fat, I am just going to do it for one more week, one more month, and then when I see how much good it is doing her and I can't stop," she told Style magazine.
Gwen continued to tour and put out albums while raising three boys. She breastfed her first son, Kingston, until he was 13-months-old.
The Big Bang Theory's Mayim Balik is a certified lactation consultant and has been an open supporter of breastfeeding. She breastfed her two sons well into their toddler years.
Selma Blair revealed that she nursed her son for years because he had some extended health issues and breastmilk helped him. However, she did say that extended breastfeeding impacted her health as well.
The trolls came for Thandie when she posted this picture on Instagram of herself feeding her then two-year-old son, Booker.
People criticized Thandie for practicing extended breastfeeding, but when it comes to nursing, moms have to do what's best for them and their children.
Alyssa Milano posted this photo on Facebook to normalize extended breastfeeding.
"Almost 16 months of breastfeeding Elizabella. It's been one of the greatest joys in my life to breastfeed my babies," she wrote.
"When I first had the baby, I was breastfeeding for two years straight, so we were together for two years of his life - every day, all hours of the day.
So I was two people, and I eventually morphed back into one. Now he's part of me," she said
She breastfed her daughter Nevis until she was two, and later told People “Whoever says breastfeeding is a good way to lose weight is a liar. I nursed my daughter for two years and as soon as I stopped I had more energy. You can do more things.”
On Good Morning America, Alanis explained that she would continue to breastfeed her child until he was ready to give it up, "I'll stop whenever he wants."
The Gossip Girl alum explained to OK Magazine how she intends to wean her kids naturally, "Obviously, before he goes to college, I’ll probably have to quit breastfeeding. You know when it’s right and you’ll feel that."
She told Fit Pregnancy she breastfed Jaden Smith "A good 18 months. That baby never even saw a bottle. He went everywhere with me — premieres, award shows. I would just find a back room and hook him up."
Alicia is a supporter of extended breastfeeding, and spearheaded an initiative for nursing mothers who are overproducing milk to share with new mothers who can't nurse.
"When I stop, it's going to be really hard on me. I love nursing so much," she explained to People.
Kelly nursed her son Benjamin beyond 16 months.
