And while Emma does often get positive reactions to her breastfeeding in public, she says it is the less frequent negative ones that stick with her - with some even saying 'urgh' to her.
Emma, from Grimsby, UK, said: ‘It’s one of the biggest achievements of my life for sure, being able to nurture a child with my own body.
‘It’s a completely selfless thing to do, but it’s probably the hardest thing I have ever done in my life too.
‘Before Alex was born, I wasn’t sure if it was a normal thing to breastfeed for so long.
‘But it wasn’t even a conscious decision to keep feeding for so long - I just thought why stop when it’s good for them? My attitude has changed over time.
‘My kids are rarely ill, and I’m almost 100% positive that that is because of the antibodies in the milk.’
Alex is in reception class at school but to Emma's knowledge is the only child who still breastfeeds.
She has had more positive reactions to breastfeeding in public than negative but says that it is the negative reactions that have put some of her friends off doing it out of the house.
Emma said: ‘Some people just tut and others actually go ‘ugh’ and walk away. It’s not happened often which is amazing.
‘I have friends who don’t breastfeed in public anymore because they’re that scared which is horrible.'
The breastfeeding bond is something that Emma has inherited from her own mother, who breastfed her children until each was two years old.
Professional photographer Emma said: ‘I don’t see breastfeeding as something to be embarrassed about.
‘It completely equalises everyone because all women regardless of background can all do the same thing.
‘Lots of people stop breastfeeding at three months because they get recommended to stop, which I think is a shame.
‘It’s a completely personal choice but so many people who want to breastfeed get told they can’t when, with the right support, they probably could.
‘It’s having that all-round support and the confidence to keep going that has been so important to me.’
But although she finds breastfeeding a doddle now, she struggled when she began.
Now Emma has hosted events such as the Global Latch On which encourages women to sit together and nurse at the same time, while providing support to those struggling.
Breast milk is thought to reduce a baby’s risk of infections, type 2 diabetes, obesity and childhood leukemia, according experts.
New mums also benefit from breastfeeding, which reduces their risk of breast and ovarian cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity.
However Emma thinks that Alex will eventually stop breastfeeding on her own.
Emma said: ‘Quite a lot of children have weaned by this point but Alex has always been a massive comfort feeder though.
‘She’s continuous because it’s not just for the milk - but I do think she’ll stop soon, she’s heading that way.’
