Why you should breastfeed your toddler

Aug 30, 2012 9:00 AM by Monica Beyer

Posted in Parenting / Age by Age / Baby & Toddler

Breastfeeding Benefits Don't End At Age 1

If you've made it a full year breastfeeding your baby, you are doing great. But the benefits to nursing — for both you and your little one — don't end when her first 12 months do, especially during the winter months when colds and the flu run rampant. Read on to learn why you should continue breastfeeding and a few tips on what to say to those who may raise their eyebrows.

toddler breastfeeding

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding until at least 2 years of age — and beyond that if desired. However, mothers in the U.S. don't often breastfeed past the age of 1. Nursing, while becoming more of a cultural norm for mothers of infants, still suffers from social stigma, particularly the topic of nursing in public and breastfeeding beyond 12 months of age. The good news is that nursing your toddler is healthy, normal and recommended.

Learn about how Alanis Morissette feels about extended breastfeeding >>

Overwhelming benefits

Your breast milk, which has been a valuable source of nutrition for your little one from the day she was born, continues to help provide nourishment for as long as you nurse her. As your baby grows older, the nutritional content of your milk changes to suit her needs.

Keeping Mom close

Breastfeeding isn't solely about nutrition, either. Babies learn to love nursing for the warmth and closeness it provides. The breast becomes their home and a physical connection to their mother. As your baby grows, he may reach out to you to nurse after a tumble or a scare. Continuing to nurse beyond the age of 1 can also help alleviate stress in new situations or when your little one needs some extra comfort or reassurance.

Even better, you will continue to produce antibodies — valuable disease-fighting bonuses — the entire time you breastfeed your child. This can make the duration of your child's illness, if she were to get sick, shorter.

Jolene, mother of three, nursed her second child for 16 months and is currently breastfeeding a newborn. "She was never very sick," she explained. "I'd get a nasty cold and she would get a sniffle. I'm tempted to mix expressed breast milk into her milk to give her more antibodies."

Adverse health effects have been documented in developing countries when children are weaned before 3 years of age. In Guinea-Bissau, for example, children of this age group who no longer breastfed had a mortality rate three and a half times higher than their nursing peers. While the consequences are not as dire in the industrialized world, those statistics are startling enough to consider how breastfeeding beyond the age of 1 continues to have its merits.

What to say

If you get the stink eye for nursing your 1-, 2- or 3-year-old, you may feel flustered, defensive or embarrassed. You may choose to nurse "in the closet" because of how you picture your family, friends or the public reacting.

Bolster yourself in advance with a few things to say, such as:

The World Health Organization recommends a minimum of two years
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least 12 months
Both organizations encourage breastfeeding beyond these recommendations
Your toddler can fight off illness easier while still nursing
Breastmilk helps fill in any nutritional gaps left behind by a toddler's picky diet

You can also smile and say, "This is what works best for my family." Simply knowing the peace it instills in a child can be reason enough. Lisa, mother of a 23-month-old girl, said, "All I know is Madison still enjoys it and it makes her happy and comforts her."

Tell us

Are you an extended breastfeeder? How has it benefited your child? Tell us in Comments below.

More about breastfeeding

Why I love breastfeeding my preschooler
How to breastfeed in public
6 Benefits of co-sleeping with your chldren

Tags: breastfeeding

Comments

Comments on "Why you should breastfeed your toddler"

I been breastfeeding my son since he was born he is now 18 months and all he's been eating was healthy things but somehow his teeth still started to rot he brushes everyday. I need to stop in order to go to school. He's so clingy to me won't go to his dad can't leave his sight for 2 minutes without him flipping out. I need a break from this I'm glad god gave me the ability to breastfeed but I need him off

I am the mother of a wonderful 16 month old baby boy that still breastfeeds. The ability that God has granted women to be able to do this is a miracle. I am so happy that my body can do this. Nursing my son has gotten us through some of the most difficult times we have had to face. There was a time when he was only 12 months that I tore muscles in my lower back; I was bed-ridden and useless, however, I could still cuddle with my son and he could lay next to me and nurse so that my husband could care for our two daughters. Now, just las week, my son developed serum sickness which is a nasty allergic reaction to an antibiotic and he was in a lot of pain, high fever, swollen, and broken out in horrendous rashes all over his body. The only thing that brought him any comfort and peace was nursing. I had originally planned to wean him at 12 months, but I am so glad I didn't. It's been a God send, no matter how anyone else feels about it; either good or bad opinions.

I'm still breastfeeding my 27 month old and very proud of it. The world average for weaning is 4 years. A baby's first teeth are called "milk teeth" people! And breast are not ual objects, they are for feeding your baby the most nutrient rich food on the planet! I consider it a tragedy when baby's are not breastfed at least 2 YEARS, so does the World Health Organization who has now updated their criteria to suggest AT LEAST 2 YEARS of breastfeeding. There are numerous health issues caused when they are not breastfed at least 2 years! For one, the jaw and arch don't form correctly and you end up with teeth crowding and sleep apnea (later in lie). You also get adult obesity because the growing brain was formed on artificial sugars from formula. All of this information is out there, just do your research and give your baby the gift of health by extended breastfeeding them.

I'm currently nursing my 22 month old & my 3 week old. My 22 month old nurses before bed. He is by no means a clingy child. He's comfortable & confident in social setting. He walked early, talked early and has never been sick for longer than a day. All of this, I contribute to genetics enhanced by breastfeeding. Some of these comments are crazy. Stop BF when they have teeth? Some get teeth at 3 months. Having teeth has nothing to do with the ability to consume solid food. Put it in a bottle? Some women don't respond to pumps and some children don't do bottles. Mine didn't. And, even at almost 2 years old, he will drink out of a cup but not breast milk. Why isn't it okay to allow our babies to be babies? Why are we in such a rush to force them to grow up before they are ready? I know quite a few adults who remember BFiing and they are perfectly well adjusted people. The lack of knowledge in some of these comments are exactly the reason why I couldn't care less about any negativity bestowed upon me when it comes to BFing.

Why should you breastfeed your toddler? because it comforts & relaxes them, healthy for there growing bodies, and is perfect when they have a cough or are sick. I mean come on, it can cure pink eye! haha I like the term I heard once, "Breast milk is like liquid gold" because really, some women would LOVE to breastfeed and can't produce enough. So don't take advantage of something so precious! :)

I always said I wanted to breastfeed for at least six months. The thing is, I had problem after problem for the first couple months. BUT I stuck with it and followed through. It's all about your determination and setting goals. I got to 6 months and by that time it was so convenient I saw no end in sight. My daughter is now 21 months old and she still nurses a couple times a day AND I work full time now. Just because she got teeth--which by the way, some infants get as early as 3 months--did not mean she was ready to wean or be done breastfeeding. YOU may want to believe they are done breastfeeding when they get teeth, but with my daughter, the only way I got through teething phases (until she had all her teeth) was by nursing her. Nursing for comfort?? You betcha! Our children won't be little for long, and if we as women are willing to sacrifice some of our 'me' time for a short time, you will never regret it. I never hear a woman regret nursing her child, but I hear it with some who never tried it. Should you breastfeed your toddler? Its different for every child...but they say natural weaning age is between 2-4. Obviously not exclusively nursing, but there's a reason babies/children are wired the way they are. Think about it!

I don't think that breastfeeding has anything to do with a child having a more loving relationship whith its mother, nor any kind of intelligence, nor illnesses. I breastfed our first daughter for 11 months, until she decided that she was done. My second daughter was different, she was way more interesed in nursing from day one on and i breastfed her for 2.5 years. Both my children are loving, compassionate kids, now 8 and 10 years old. Both of them are about the same in school and have a very good relationship with eacht other and with us parens. However, my younger daughter who was nursed for 2.5 years, has different allergies of pollen, some animals and some fruits. Plus we found out 2 months ago that she also suffers from Asthma. I've nannied for a family with two kids. Their son (now a well rounded, intelligent, kind college student) was brestfed for two weeks. Their daughter (now a 15 year old high school student. Was breastfed for 3 months. They were always very healthy happy kids. So, in my humble opinion. Breastfeeding has little to do with health, intelligence or any emotional attributes. In some cases the MOTHER needs the nursing more then the Child. And in other cases the CHILD needs it more. I thinks its about giving the child what it needs be that for comfort, as it was with my second child, or just for nutrition, as it was with my first child.

I nursed my son until he was 3 and my daughter until 5. Not only are they extremely well behaved older children but they are social, independent, loving, and kind. I do think it has to do with nursing them until they were ready to stop. Both of them put their hand up to me and said, "no more" when they were ready and that was the last day. They are extremely close to me & trust me with their thoughts and feelings. Nursing them until they were ready to wean was the best decision I made for them. Let God tell you when it is time to stop...not some psychologist or magazine!

Very simple, just put the breast milk in a bottle. Problem solved and no one knows or cares!

I nursed most of my kids for 3 yrs, having them approx. 2 yrs apart.(meaning I tandem nursed every 3rd yr.) They got table food, when ever they had the interest & teeth for it, usually somewhere between 5-12 months, but continued to nurse for sustenance & comfort until their 3rd birthday, at which point I cut them off. I did always work, at least part time, but never pumped nor bought formula. All 7 of them are well adjusted adults now. I nursed discreetly at church, school, zoo, meetings,restaurants, etc. I got some "looks" but never got told I couldn't. I find it incorrigible anyone would care, let alone c/o of anyone else's choice of infant feeding! When I see parents feeding their little kids McDonald's junk food, do I c/o? Unfortunately they have that right to feed junk food to their kids, so why should anyone object to me feeding my kids the God-given substance best suited to their not only nutritional needs but also immune system & psychological needs as well? If I were told I could not breastfeed anywhere, I would never darken their door again, but I would pray for them!

The conversation that I think needs to be had is "why do women feel the need to judge and polarize each other into the classification of breast feeders and bottle feeders." We should be ashamed of ourselves for judging each other in such harsh terms. Where is the support for mothers in general going to come from if we can't even agree to support each other. These days if your not for something you are against it and its silly. I am pro mother and pro women. Each women has the right to take care of her children the way she sees fit as long as it is in accordance with the laws where she lives. Do I silently judge? yes, because i'm not perfect. But I give myself a stern talking to since I haven't walked in someone else' shoes. Be pro-mother like me and put an end to this silly debate. The whole extended breastfeeding debate was created to sell magazines, get people to watch TV shows featuring the most extreme habits, and increase readership in blogs. This manufactured trend has gained so much media attention that it has become sensationalized. To be honest nothing could be less interesting to other people than watching women breastfeeding. Its not really a spectator sport. Do your own research come up with your own conclusions and parent based on what you feel is best for your child. Trust other mothers to do the same. In the end if you see someone parenting differently than you take heart in the fact that they are doing the best they can for their children. (these statement bar instances of mistreatment of children by parents)

I breastfed my daughter until she was 10 months old and thereafter she had expressed milk (I had a surplus of 3,000+ ounces in a deepfreeze) until she was 14 months old. While I am not disputing the articles mentioned above, I am confused as I have also read many articles about how there are no additional health benefits after six months of breastfeeding. Also, I've read articles about how breastfeeding after age 1 can be detremential to a child as the fat content is significantly higher than cow's milk. Not arguing, just confused as there is a great deal of conflicting literature out there for people to read. From a personal standpoint, I applauded myself for breastfeeding as long as I did; less than 15% of mothers breastfeed past 6 months. However, as a working-mother I did find it difficult to maintain - work would get busy and it was a challenge to find time to pump. In today's world so many of us (me included) are judgemental. However, breastfeeding is a deeply personal choice - to not breastfeed at all, or to continue until your children are 3+. I am looking at my 3 year old right now, she's 41 inches tall and 41 pounds and I can't imagine still breastfeeding her. If I were to see a mother breastfeeding her 3 year old, I would agree with it - but the key is: I wouldn't say anything or call her names like I see others above doing. How society feeds their children is not anyone else's business -- if you don't like it, fine, but being rude and mean is never acceptable.

There is an issue here that hasn't exactly been addressed from a psychological point of view. As a psychotherapist who has taught parenting classes, it's worth considering that breast feeding past the separation stage that naturally occurs at about 9 -15 months of age, can create a level of dependence that isn't good for the child. Mothers seldom want to admit that they may be continuing breast feeding beyond this stage to unconsciously foster this dependence so that some of their own needs to feel wanted and depended upon are met. I have seen many children breastfed for too long who exhibit overly-dependent and clinging behavior styles. There is nothing wrong with breast feeding. It is a wonderful bonding and nurturing experience for mother and child, but there is no need to continue it much beyond 12 - 15 months when babies develop teeth and need to start developing more independence from their mommy.

Also I would like to add that I did not potty train my child, let him speak, or walk until he was seven either. This helped keep him in the house away from jezebels and life experiences that could lead to personal development.

I personally believe that their is nothing wrong with breast feeding. However, when the child gets teeth and is able to eat solid food, then I believe it is time for them to stop breastfeeding. As they get older they don't *need* to breastfeed. I was never breastfed, and neither were my sister or brother. My mom just couldn't produce milk. We are all well-rounded and extremely close to our parents. My friend, who was breastfed, is not close to her parents at all. In fact, she hates them. Breastfeeding has absolutely nothing to do with how close you are to your parents. I don't breastfeed my nephew, yet he's closer to me than he is to his own mother...

truely sick! Breast feeding passes the mother's immunity on to the child. It also helps the mother avoid having another child before she has fully recovered from her pregnancy, such as in 3rd world countries where health care is very lacking. The purpose is to feed the child. Once the teeth have come in, the child is able to eat solid food. If this is how you interprete the world, how do you feel about teachers? Have any done a study of over 250 plus individuals that were breast fed and remember the experiance and seen the final results over life times?

I breast fed my son until he was seven and it's perfectly normal. It's also helped him weed out false women in his life and, I'm proud to say that, while so many other men like to gallivant around, my son, now 26, has chosen to stay living home with me. He is what he was raised to be, a kind, mother-is-first kind of gentleman and I'm very proud of him.

I am a mother of three, breast fed two of them for at least 20mo or more. Currently nursing #3. All i have to say is... I did. They did, Sam does. And THAT'S WHAT GOD INTENDED. if you don't like it don't look. And worry about your own child. The things our children are exposed to now days. And your worried about the most natural thing. How sad....

I am currently nursing my 22½-month old, and she will self-wean. Some people who throw out the argument about pumping for toddlers apparently do not understand that the pump is not as efficient as a nursling at removing milk from the breast. Pumping can work fine for many months (I pumped for 21 months at work) because the amount of milk that is being produced is so much greater in the beginning. But, as the child gets older and his or her diet begins to depend more and more on solid food, the supply of milk decreases and pumping becomes more difficult. The weaning process is something that takes place over many months, beginning with the introduction of solids. Weaning from dependence on expressed breast milk is one of the steps, so to speak. But, just because a child is no longer drinking expressed breast milk in a cup doesn't mean that he or she cannot benefit from consuming breast milk into his or her toddler years. There is nothing more effective at soothing a teething toddler than nursing. There is nothing more effective when a toddler has a nightmare. There is nothing more effective when a toddler simply gets frustrated or doesn't feel well. Mothers who choose to breast feed their children should be supported and encouraged and not ridiculed because the benefits of breastfeeding continue for as long as you continue to do it.

My mother never breast fed me, and I think I turned out fine. I was always at the top of my class in school, I am rarely ever sick (once every two years, for a few days at most), and have a close relationship with my parents, whom love more than anyone else in the world. None of my friends were breastfed either, and they are all intellegent, well adjusted, caring adults. Breast feeding may be great, but in my case (and in the case of most of my friends and family), your pro-breast arguements don't even apply. Great parenting, encourgaging a love of learning (and not making it a chore or punishment like most paernts seem to do nowadays), and simply using common sense makes for healthy, intellegent, well adjusted children. Not just breast milk. And on the topic of breastfeeding in public, I don't mind it if the woman adequately covers herself... but I don't think it's right when they don't even try to cover up a little. I don't see women's breasts as solely being ual things, but I still don't enjoy when some lady whips her boob out to feed her child. It's just awkward. Really, when women breastfeed in public I see it as a lack of respect for everyone else. Just because you decided to have a child doesn't give you the right to whip your breast out whenever you please. It may be an inconvenience to find a private place, but that's life. Most breastfeeding mothers I know use a breast pump to bottle milk for when they are going somewhere with little private space for breastfeeding. Makes sense really. I don't know, to each their own I guess.