Breastfeeding Toddlers

From LoveToKnow Baby

In many countries all over the world, breastfeeding toddlers is a common occurence. Why then is nursing a toddler seemingly frowned upon in the United States? Maybe it has to do with some of the many misconceptions that surround breastfeeding. If you are nursing your toddler, take heart. You are not alone, and there are many benefits for both you and your child.

BFtoddler

Medical Recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics plainly states its recommendation that mothers should nurse their babies for at least the first twelve months of age, if not longer. The World Health Organization carries this recommendation a step further by recommending that babies continue to be breastfed until they are two years of age. With such respectable recommendations, how can anyone argue with the benefits of breastfeeding?

Misconceptions of Breastfeeding Toddlers

The act of breastfeeding a toddler is often misunderstood. There are many misconceptions, including the following:

  1. Breastfeeding will make your child more dependent on you. How ridiculous! If anything, your child will feel more secure in your love.
  2. Breastfeeding can ruin the shape of his mouth. Breastfeeding can actually improve oral health.
  3. Babies who are breastfed can’t build their own immunities. This is absolutely not true! Breast milk helps fight off infections and allergies

Benefits of Breastfeeding Toddlers

Just what are the benefits for your toddler if you choose to continue breastfeeding? There are several.

  1. Breast milk is full of important nutrients, and it continues to offer immunities to your child long past her infancy. It can also ward off allergies.
  2. Breast milk is typically the easiest food to digest. In fact, if your child has an upset tummy, breast milk may be the only food that he can tolerate until he feels better!
  3. While the nutritional value is of course important, the closeness that breastfeeding provides helps to make your child feel secure.
  4. The bond between you and your child continues to strengthen as you share those intimate breastfeeding moments.

Benefits for Mother

While of course the most important benefits of breastfeeding toddlers should concern the health and well-being of your child, there are benefits for you as well. These include the following:

  1. Breastfeeding moms often lose weight more quickly than those mothers who don’t breastfeed.
  2. Hormones which are released during breastfeeding help to relax nursing moms.
  3. The warmth and closeness of a breastfeeding relationship continue to nurture both mother and child.

For more information, check out the La Leche League and Keep Kids Healthy.


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Comments

Tammeake, Don't be so quick to give her the breast. If she is hungry, she will eat although you may have to experiment with foods a little at a time. Try giving her one bite of fruit, then one bite of a vegetable or meat. When it is time for another feeding, don't nurse her, try food again. Try to eliminate one breastfeeding session each day.-Susie

-- Contributed by: Susie1506

My 13 month old refuses to eat any food. She ate baby food prior to teething and getting 6 teeth in at the same time. After that she lost interest in eating baby food or table food. If you try to feed her she moves her head, cries and spit the food out. she even run away. I would like a routine I could use with her to help me wean easier. I am a stay out home mom.So,I can try anything. she currently eats about 4 times a day. Solely breastmilk. However, she will eat fruit.

-- Contributed by: tammeake

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