Why nursing your toddler is a good idea
• Even though your child is now getting most of his nutrition from solid food, breast milk still provides valuable immunities, vitamins, and enzymes. In fact, studies have shown that breastfeeding toddlers get sick less often than their peers.
• As your child becomes more independent, breastfeeding can be an important source of reassurance and emotional support. The strong connection your child feels with you while nursing will foster independence, not make him overly dependent or clingy as some may have you believe. Our culture tends to believe that "pushing" children away will help them develop a strong sense of self-worth and independence, says Kathleen Huggins, author of The Nursing Mother's Companion, when in fact, the opposite is true. Forcing a child to stop nursing before he is developmentally ready will not necessarily create a more confident child; rather, it could make him more clingy.
• If your child is sick, breast milk may be the only thing he can keep down. You'll feel better too, knowing that you're helping him fight off the illness.
• If you travel a lot, breastfeeding is a lot easier than carrying around milk or worrying about having to buy any at your destination. And when you're staying overnight in a strange place, the comfort of your breast may be the best way to ease your child's fears and make him feel more secure.
• You may be able to put off getting your period for a year or more, an advantage for anyone who dreads the thought of dealing with cramps and bloating again after a long hiatus. But keep in mind that nursing is not an effective form of birth control; it's a good idea to use a backup such as a condom just in case.
• Weaning when your child is ready is more natural and less abrupt than picking an arbitrary end point. Nursing a child beyond the first year was common around the world before the invention of formula.
Why nursing your toddler can be a challenge
• Expect rude comments and criticisms from people who think nursing an older child is strange. You may have to be more cautious about breastfeeding in public if you want to avoid the inevitable remarks. This can be difficult if your toddler lifts up your shirt in the supermarket and demands a quick snack.
• It's harder to wean a stubborn, demanding 2-year-old than a 1-year-old. Some experts say it's rare to find a child who will wean himself before the age of 4, which may be longer than you're willing to wait.
• Nursing can become a crutch. Your baby may start to rely on the breast when he's really just bored or it's the only way to get your attention. Engage your child in other ways — toddlers are eager to explore the world and need stimulation to fuel their rapid development.
• Nursing a toddler when you've got another baby on the way is possible, but some women find it too physically demanding. Unless you plan to continue nursing your older child after the new baby is born, you should probably think about weaning her before the "competition" shows up.
Making extended breastfeeding work for you
• To avoid unsolicited comments and stares, you might find it easier to nurse your child at home before heading out to the store or the park. Some moms find it easier to breastfeed once in the morning and once at night and teach their toddlers to drink from a cup during the day.
• If you don't care what people think or say, then have some snappy responses ready when someone asks you the inevitable question: "Is she still nursing?" Sometimes a simple "yes" is the best conversation stopper. Or, the next time you're nursing in public and someone asks, "Are you ever going to stop breastfeeding?" say, "Yes, in about 10 minutes."
• You can teach your child a code word for your breasts, so that when he starts demanding "nummies" or "mama" in the middle of a restaurant, no one will pay any attention.
• If you're pregnant and want to keep on nursing, be prepared for your milk supply to ebb as your hormone levels change. You may stop producing milk as your body starts redirecting all its resources toward the developing fetus. But many women do succeed in nursing an infant and a toddler — it just takes extra time and patience. You'll need to be doubly sure you're eating the right foods and drinking enough fluids if you go that route.
Some reasons to keep breast feeding an older baby/toddler
Reply With Quote
Creator of 
Bookmarks