Why Breastfeed a toddler?

Do you think it is strange or even dysfunctional that I am nursing a 20 month old? If so, I beg to differ. I think it is WEIRD and even FREAKISH that specifically American parents prefer their children to drink (nurse) another mammals milk..the cow! How is this normal? Yes it is culturally accepted...but when you think about it....we are the only mammal (I know of ) to encourage the consumption of another's milk instead of their own. Now that is strange.

The fact that I nurse my toddler is something that often gets mentioned within my writing. However, it has been quite some time since I have defined WHY we still nurse. When Grant was 15 months old I wrote a poetic 2 parter that really sums up the experience. Part 1. Part 2 .But today I want to share with you the referenced benefits of extended nursing, as it is commonly called in the west.

When Grant was born I knew I wanted to nurse him because everyone knows that breast is best. I set my goal at 6 months. Well 6 months came and went and I set a new goal of 12 months. Today I don't set any goals...I'm just nursing as long as it is mutual desirable. Although I will admit that many days I have moments where I just do NOT want to nurse anymore. I want my body back etc. However, these moments are overwhelmingly surpassed by the joyful connection my son and I have through this healthy exchange.

Here are some stats collected by http://www.kellymom.com/. Kelly mom is a wonderful breastfeeding resource that I encourage anyone interested in the subject to visit.

"In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:
29% of energy requirements
43% of protein requirements
36% of calcium requirements
75% of vitamin A requirements
76% of folate requirements
94% of vitamin B12 requirements
60% of vitamin C requirements -- Dewey 2001 "

I must say this is FABULOUS especially considering the finicky eating behavior that many toddlers exhibit. If Grant is having a day where he doesn't eat a balanced diet, I can be assured that he is getting enough supplemental nutrition from breast milk.

"Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers (Gulick 1986)."

Even though my little Grant has had over his fair share of health challenges, I know that without breastmilk the situation would have been worse. I will say that since he turned 16 months he has been healthier than ever.

"Antibodies are abundant in human milk throughout lactation" (Nutrition During Lactation 1991; p. 134). In fact, some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process. (Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991)."

I've had another mom tell me that the benefits of nursing are only good for the first few weeks. HA. She could not be more incorrect. The chemical makeup of the milk actually changes with the babies needs. Isn't that amazing?

Since I send Grant to day care where he is exposed to 14 other children (5 of them are in school all day so they bring back school germs everyday ugh) the fact that breastmilk has antibodies is reason enough for me to continue! Vaccinations have nothing on mama milk.

"Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest."

Although this is not a reason I still nurse, it isn't a bad thing now is it?

According to Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. in "Extended Breastfeeding and the Law":

"Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood."

I could not agree more! Grant can nurse and be a whole new boy...like a 30 minute nap. He can come to me sour and leave a super hero.

Baldwin continues: "Meeting a child's dependency needs is the key to helping that child achieve independence. And children outgrow these needs according to their own unique timetable." Children who achieve independence at their own pace are more secure in that independence then children forced into independence prematurely.

This is where so many are mistaken. They push the child away...to force Independence at such an early age. Babies are many times not allowed to be babies. They are put on schedules ,trained to sleep alone & weaned way before they are emotionally ready. I fully believe the secure foundation of nursing Grant into toddler hood has fostered an exceptional level of independence for his age. In no way is it keeping him a baby or delaying his development.


The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)

The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends thatbreastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that "Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired." They also note that "If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2001)

A US Surgeon General has stated that it is a lucky baby who continues to nurse until age two. (Novello 1990)

The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond (WHO 1992, WHO 2002).

I found this synopsis at the Natural Child Project that expresses exactly how I feel.

"Given social criticism, people who are unfamiliar with the practice of nursing beyond infancy may wonder why mothers would want to continue to nurse through toddlerhood and beyond. As Leaders we can help mothers answer this question confidently. Mothers find many practical advantages in nursing. As a parenting tool it is useful when easing the exhausted child into sleep or soothing both mother and child after the storm of a tantrum has passed by. During illness, breast milk may be the only food or drink that a child will take or can keep down and digest. It can make the difference between a dehydrated child needing hospitalization and a sick, but well-hydrated, child at home in mother's arms nursing through a potentially serious illness."

"Though it is clear that the majority of women worldwide and throughout history have nursed their children into toddlerhood and beyond, women who choose to do so today may face an uninformed and frequently critical audience. Therefore many choose to make sure that they limit who sees and who knows, taking greater care as the child grows older. Given this climate it is a highly select group of mothers who nurse their children beyond toddlerhood."

Thanks to Alexandra at Watching Clouds for inspiring this post with the comment:

"I've been a regular reader of your Blog.I truly enjoy reading it.However,I'm wondering how long you plan to nurse?I mean isn't it time for a child this age to stop nursing?"

This is not an uncommon thought process in this country so you speak for the masses. Hopefully, though with time and access to information and research, we can learn and embrace extended nursing. We need to educate our doctors (who spend very very little time on nutrition and breastfeeding in medical school) and stand up for our rights to nurture our children the way nature intended.