(lactation activist)
A Motherlode of Breastfeeding Information
Natural (Extended) Nursing
In the United States, it is a common belief that nursing shouldn't extend past one year. It is a very common sentiment that if the baby can ask to nurse, she is too old to be nursing. This is far from the truth. The World Health Organization (which monitors worldwide health) recommends that nursing continues to at least the end of the second year. The average age of weaning around the world is 4 years, meaning many children are nursed even longer than this. In the United States, most women don't make it past 6 months. The lack of support for breastfeeding in our society creates an environment for early weaning. Education and support are the most important aspects, other than a mother's commitment to nursing.
The positive health benefits of breastfeeding don't magically stop at a year of age. They continue on throughout the nursing relationship. The child is always getting new protection from disease, especially ear infections (antibodies), digestive enzymes, complete proteins and various vitamins and minerals from breastmilk. There are other benefits of the extended nursing relationship. The physical closeness of the mother and child help to lower each other's stress levels. The mother is getting hormones from nursing that help to relax her and make her a better mother. These hormones greatly help the over-stressed mother of a toddler. The time spent nursing allows both mother and child to spend some well-needed quiet time.
Children do not stop needing comfort at the end of one year. Extended nursing is a great way to give that comfort while increasing the health of mother and child. In a toddler's active world, there are many overwhelming situations. Toddlers are constantly checking in with mom to get reassurance. A few minutes of nursing can calm and soothe a very overstimulated toddler. Of course, there are other ways of comforting a toddler, but none with the positive health benefits to mother and child. Certain toddlers will not stop for a minute unless forced to. They will grab their bottle and be off, never stopping long enough to regather themselves. Breastfeeding by its very design forces a child to spend a few minutes being calm and quiet in mom's lap. This can make the difference between a calm even-tempered child and one that is feeling chaotic from lack of down time.
Nursing an older child is much different from nursing a baby. The time demands of nursing a baby are quite overwhelming. An older child has much less demands for your time. They are eating solids and drinking other liquids, so they aren't in such great need for breastmilk. Many older children only nurse at bedtime and waking, although others do continue to nurse frequently. This creates a time of connection for mother and child at the start and finish of each day. This time spent nursing an older baby can help both mother and child prepare for and complete each day in a calm, quiet fashion. This helps to sustain peacefulness throughout every day.
Each mother and child needs to find her own rhythm and her own stopping point. What is right for one nursing couple isn't necessarily right for another. The main point is to trust your instincts and not to let someone else's ideas about right and wrong dictate your actions. Just because nursing to a year is the accepted standard in our society does not mean that it is right for each nursing couple. It could be just enough time for some, yet others might need the comfort and closeness of nursing much longer. Each mother must trust her child to know when is the right time for weaning. Many children need the closeness and health benefits of nursing for a much longer period of time. Trust yourself, and know that nursing past the first year is not only normal but much better for mother and baby in the long run.
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DISCLAIMER: This web site is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for medical attention, or diagnosis. If you are having breastfeeding difficulties, please contact an IBCLC near you for assistance. If you have any questions consult your family's health care provider. In some instances, the information represents opinion or judgment. Neither the information providers nor the Site owner guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information in this website nor will they be responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. The Site owner and the information providers will not be liable or responsible to any person(s) for any loss or damage caused whatsoever by the use of information or ideas referenced in this web site. Your participation in this service therefore is solely at your own risk.