Breastfeeding a Toddler.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first year of life. The World Health Organization states breastfeeding should continue for the first two years. Despite this, very few women continue to breastfeed for longer than a few months.

According to the CDC, in the U.S., about 75% of babies are breastfed at birth but by 12 months of age this number drops to about 20%. By 18 months only about 6% of babies are still breastfed.

Now, I'm not here to try to convince others to breastfeed for longer than they feel comfortable with. Every mother has to do what is comfortable for her and her baby. But I would like to clear up some of the misconceptions of breastfeeding beyond a year.

First....breast-milk does not lose it's nutritional value after a year. I have heard this many times. People have asked "Why continue beyond a year when breast-milk is no longer providing any nutrition?"

In the second year of nursing, breast-milk provides 43% of the required protein, 36% of the required calcium, 75% of the required vitamin A, 76% of the required folate, 94% of the required vitamin B12, and 60% of the required vitamin C. (breastfeeding.com)  As a mom of a 2 year old picky eater I am glad I am able to provide these needed nutrients just by nursing him.

Second....breastfeeding beyond a year does not make me weird, gross, or overly attached to my child. I can guarantee that I am not causing any psychological damage to my child. I understand in the U.S. I may be in the minority, but the natural age for weaning is 2.5 - 7 years.  Unfortunately, since breasts are so over-sexualized in the U.S, breastfeeding a toddler is considered freaky by many. It is time to move beyond this belief and realize extended nursing is very normal.

Third....breastfeeding beyond a year (or any amount of time) does not take away from the relationship my husband and I have. Regardless of if I chose to breastfeed or not, having kids changes the marital relationship. You just need to go with the flow and trust that when the kids are older, you will once again have more time together.

And finally, breastfeeding beyond a year will not make my child overly dependent on me. He has grown in his independence, as most two year olds do, and he knows that he can come to me for comfort when he needs to.

Can breastfeeding into toddlerhood be tiring and challenging? Yes, of course. Sometimes you just get "touched out",  sometimes your little darling gets a little rough, or sometimes he wants to play (or stand up, or talk...) and nurse at the same time! It isn't always easy but it does have it's rewards........

Sebastian happily nursing.

And for those that are still unsure of how long is too long....I can promise, he won't still be nursing when he goes off to college!