Most mothers start out by breastfeeding.
In Australia, 96% of mothers start breastfeeding. In the US, 81% of babies are breastfed from birth.
Some mothers have an idea about how long they wish to breastfeed, while others take the ‘We’ll see how things go’ approach.
There are others who reach their initial breastfeeding goals and then decide they would like to continue.
Unfortunately, some mothers don’t reach their breastfeeding goals at all – often because of a lack of knowledgeable support.
Breastfeeding After The First Year | 5 Things You Need To Know
So, what if you’re a mother who started out with a goal to breastfeed for one year and now you find yourself in a position where you and your child are enjoying breastfeeding and don’t want to stop? What now?
Here are 5 things you need to know about breastfeeding after the first year:
#1: Breastmilk Continues To Provide A Valuable Source Of Immune Protection
Regardless of how long you breastfeed your child, your breastmilk continues to provide a valuable source of immune protection and nutrition.
The concentration of immune protective factors in breastmilk (e.g. antibodies) increases as your child grows and breastfeeds less. So, even if the amount of breastmilk your child consumes gradually reduces, breastfeeding ensures your child receives an extra boost of immune protection during this time. This is important, given toddlers are increasingly on the move and are more likely to be exposed to pathogens.
In a child’s second year of life, research has demonstrated that the breastmilk a child consumes can provide him with:
- About 30% of energy needs
- Almost half of protein needs
- Almost all vitamin B12 needs
- More than 75% of folate needs
- Over half of vitamin C needs
- Almost 75% of iodine needs.
#2: The ‘Right’ Time To Wean Is An Individual Choice
Even though almost everyone you know will provide you with authoritative advice about when you should wean, the ‘right’ time to wean is up to you and your child.
Those who give you the most advice about when you should wean are usually those who know the least about breastfeeding.
#3: Breastfeeding Can Be A Useful Parenting Strategy
Parenting a toddler sure is a challenge. Breastfeeding can make the job a little easier by bringing an end to a tantrum, or by helping an overtired toddler go off to sleep.
Breastfeeding can also provide toddlers with closeness and a sense of security at a time when they’re developing and growing rapidly.
It is reassuring to know if your toddler gets sick, it’s likely he’ll still breastfeed even if he refuses other food and drink.
#4: Breastfeeding Well Beyond The First Year Is The Norm In Parts Of the World
In Western societies, breastfeeding after the first year is definitely not a cultural norm. In Australia, fewer than 20% of children are breastfed beyond their first birthday.
However, in other parts of the world, people would be dumbfounded at the idea of weaning a toddler, let alone a baby.
#5: Breastfeeding After One Year Is Important For Your Child’s Health, And Yours
Breastfeeding is important for many reasons. There’s a dose-response relationship between many of the health outcomes associated with breastfeeding. This means the longer breastfeeding occurs, the greater the protective effects.
For example, research has demonstrated the relative risk of breast cancer is reduced by 4.3% for every 12 months of breastfeeding when compared with the risk in women who have never breastfed, or breastfed for a short time.
Also, research has found breastfeeding for longer means children have fewer episodes of sickness.
So, if your baby has just turned one and you’re enjoying breastfeeding, keep going – there are many good reasons to do so!
Recommended Reading:
- Breastfeeding Toddlers – 7 Benefits Of Breastfeeding Toddlers
- Extended Breastfeeding – What You Need To Know
- Why Your Toddler Is Breastfeeding So Often – And What To Do
Q: What if you get a really faint positive pregnancy test result?
A: If you get a really faint positive pregnancy test result, it is still a positive result. When you first conceive, early hCG levels are low, but rapidly increase in the first half of the first trimester. If you repeat the test in the coming days, you should notice the line becoming more prominent.
Q: What are the best ways to have a boy?
A: The best ways to have a boy is to change your diet to include foods high in sodium and potassium (there’s a study supporting this method!). Also you need to time intercourse so it occurs the day before ovulation.
Q: When do babies first start talking?
A: Often, babies first start talking from around 11 months old to 14 months old. Around this time, a baby’s first word will usually be ‘dada’ or ‘mama’ because they usually hear this word the most.
Q: What is the tea to avoid during pregnancy?
A: The tea to avoid during pregnancy are those that have caffeine. Caffeine has been shown to cross the placenta and can increase the likelihood of low birth weight. Some popular teas containing caffeine are green tea and black tea.
Q: How do you produce a baby girl?
A: No natural method is guaranteed to produce a baby girl (or boy). But one method suggests for the woman not to orgasm during sex. When a woman has an orgasm, it makes it more favourable for a boy, due to an alkaline secretion which is released.
