Choosing To Breastfeed Your Toddler
Although it might seem odd to some Western and urban ears, the worldwide median age of weaning is 4.2 years. It only shows that other cultures around the world have different ideas about how long babies and toddlers need to breastfeed. Many moms all over the world decide to nurse a toddler for different reasons. Let’s have a look at a few of them.
The Joy of the Nursing Relationship
Sometimes a mom is enjoying the benefits of nursing her infant and the closeness of the relationship, and doesn’t want that to stop just because the baby has turned one or two years old. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a minimum of two years of breastfeeding and for as long as mother and baby decide.
Ecuadorian mom breastfeeding a toddler
Nutritional Benefits of Breast Milk
The nutritional benefits of mother’s milk does not end when the baby turns a certain age! Toddlers receive many of the same benefits that infants do from breast milk, and the miraculous thing is that mom’s milk changes to meet the needs of the growing baby. Toddlers still get a lot of good nutrition from breast milk even when they are eating a wide variety of solid foods. This is especially comforting to a mom whose child refuses solids. But hey, there’s a myth related to picky eaters and breastfeeding. Picky toddlers are often allergic children whose bodies are telling them to wait before starting new food, and breastfeeding is not the cause but a good alternative to keep good nutrition.
Benefits for the Immune System
Some experts tell us that a baby’s immune system is not fully developed until he is 2 years old. Others say it’s 7 years! For sure, toddlers are exposing themselves to a lot of things once they start walking exploring their world. Breastfeeding still helps protect them from illness and infections. Many moms of nursing toddlers have been thankful for their kids taking in breast milk when they refuse other foods during illness. When toddlers have diarrhea or vomiting and dehydration at the point of becoming life threatening, breast milk can be a real life-saver. Also, as breast milk is too easily and quickly digested, a toddler can stay hydrated and nourished even when he’s ill.
An additional benefit is that breastfed infants and toddlers are less likely to have adverse vaccine reactions.
Gentle Discipline
It might seem to you that nursing doesn’t have anything with discipline, but experienced moms can confirm they do have a strong relation. Toddlers are encountering new and scary experiences every day, and being able to come back to mom’s breast, along with the comfort of sucking, can help him to better manage the changes he’s going through. And as we know, toddlers who feel better behave better, and the same for us moms! Many breastfeeding moms have been thankful for the calming effect of breastfeeding – both for them and their toddler.
Breastfeeding a toddler can be challenging at times but it definitely has immediate and life lasting benefits. Let you enjoy the known and unknown benefits of extended breastfeeding and the warmth of your toddler for as long as mom and baby decide!
