Coco Austin is unapologetic about her parenting choices.
During an appearance on Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast, the 46-year-old model discussed her decision to breastfeed her daughter, Chanel, until the child was 6. Austin emphasized that the experience evolved into a special emotional connection rather than a nutritional necessity.
“It wasn’t like I was feeding her because she needed a meal,” she told host Bunnie Xo, 45. “She was already eating solids by a year old. It became more of a bonding experience — she just wanted to be close to me. So I decided to let her stop when she was ready.”
Austin, who shares Chanel with husband Ice-T, said she wanted her daughter to feel comfortable deciding when to end the practice.
“She’s not going to be 16 on my boob,” Austin said with a laugh. “Eventually she realized it felt kind of strange — that happened around 6. Apparently that’s considered a long time here, but in parts of Europe, kids nurse until 7 and it’s completely normal. Americans just find it weird.”
The model added that for Chanel, nursing was mostly about comfort.
“It was mostly when she went to sleep — she wanted me there,” Austin explained. “It was a comfort thing. And honestly, I had so many people who supported me. Other moms reached out from everywhere.”
Austin said the encouragement meant a lot to her.
“It felt nice because I was one of the only ones talking about it openly,” she continued. “People have been doing this for thousands of years — I don’t get why it’s such a big deal.”
Austin also mentioned that Chanel still finds comfort in closeness and affection.
“She loves boobs,” Austin said, laughing. “She’s obsessed — it’s not a big thing. She’s just always been very comforted by that closeness. She’ll sit or lay on me, and it’s such a sweet time. It won’t last once they hit their teenage years.”
