A mother has defended her decision to give her three-year-old son a busty boob cake for his birthday.
Genie Kaur, 39, ordered the Victoria Sponge cake with pronounced cleavage to encourage her toddler to give up breastfeeding.
The mother-of-two sparked controversy after bringing out the cake for Kamron’s birthday party as a ‘last supper’ before breastfeeding came to an end.
But the lacy bra icing was apparently not an adequate substitute, as he was still crying out for ‘booba’ after the dessert.
Genie, from Barton Seagrave, Northamptonshire, said: ‘It was going to be the last time [breastfeeding] on his birthday, as soon as he cut the cake, sort of like the last supper.
‘It was to celebrate and maybe wean him off.
‘We explained it was the last time, but instead of him being happy, he was sad. He was very vocal saying he wanted his “booba”.’
Genie, and husband Ronni, 43, presented the cake to Kamron at his party on May 4.
They warned other parents in advance about the sponge’s saucy design beforehand.
After posting about the cake on social media, the parents were shocked by the backlash.
‘I posted a picture of the cake on Instagram and Facebook and I was quite shocked by the responses,’ she explained.
‘Lots of people were critical, not just of the cake but also because I was breastfeeding a three-year-old.’
Genie, who is a housing officer, has staunchly defended the unique birthday treat and has decided to continue breastfeeding her son.
She said: ‘Breastfeeding is working for me, so what’s everyone’s problem? There’s so much pressure from society to stop.
‘Breasts are sexualised. This is for the comfort of my son. You can make it a beautiful weaning journey and we meet each other’s needs.
‘I had intended to stop breastfeeding, but since the debate started on social media, I’ve decided to carry on until we are both ready to stop.
‘I’ve done lots of research, and breastfeeding at this age is really good for them. Why should I bow to society’s pressures?
‘It’s baby-led feeding and he’s not ready to give up and I don’t think I am. I never planned this. I haven’t put any pressure on myself.
‘What’s everyone’s problem with it? People say it’s not natural – but it is.’
The housing officer has been egged on by the controversy to inform other mums about the benefits of breastfeeding.
The self-described ‘spokesperson for breastfeeding toddlers’ added: ‘I would say to all mums, don’t give up. Don’t let people tell you what to do. If you are not ready to give up – don’t.
The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding children up to two years and beyond.
They said that it is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival.
The global health organisation also cites research which shows that breastfed children perform better on intelligence tests.
They are also less likely to be overweight or obese and less prone to diabetes later in life.
The NHS recommends that babies are given only breast milk for around the first 6 months of their lives.
After that point, babies should continue to be breastfed for two years and beyond, alongside eating other foods.
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