Breastfeeding Toddlers

Breastfeeding Toddlers

Is society dictating when we should stop breastfeeding toddlers?

Because more women are now choosing to breastfeed their babies and more importantly older babies, more and more mums are also finding that they enjoy it enough to continue longer than the first few months they had originally planned on.  Breastfeeding toddlers to 3 – 4 years of age and beyond is common in much of the world recently, and is still common in many societies for toddlers to be breast fed.

Because mothers often enjoy breastfeed toddlers, you shouldn’t feel you have to stop it. It offers a feeling of calm and watching and listening to your little one gently suckling at your breast reinforces the true meaning of motherhood and underpins the special bond that continues throughout the rest of your life together. After six months, many mothers think that breast milk loses it’s value – which just isn’t true.  As long as you are producing a good quantity of breast milk, it will still contains proteins, fats, and other important nutrients which your little one needs.

The fact is, breast milk provides immune factors that will protect the baby against infections.  Breast milk also contains factors that will help the immune system mature, and other organs to develop and mature as well. Breastfeeding is good beyond doubt; Mothers who wish and who can breastfeed toddlers really should follow their hearts and continue as long as all affected parties agree.

It’s been shown and proven in the past that children in daycare who are still breastfeeding have far less severe infections than the children that aren’t breastfeeding.  The mother will lose less work time if she chooses to continue breastfeeding todders once she is back to work.

If you have thought about breastfeeding your baby once he pr she gets passed 6 months of age, you have made a wise decision.  Although many mothers feel
that it isn’t necessary, breast milk will always help babies and toddlers.  Breast milk is the best milk you can give to your baby.

No matter what others may tell you, breastfeeding toddlers only needs to be stopped when you and your little one are ready.  You don’t have to stop when someone else wants you to!  We belive you should only stop breastfeeding toddlers when you feel that it’s the right time.

A video about weaning…

Go back to the main baby tips page here: Baby Tips

I hope that mothers continue breastfeeding toddlers to an age that suits both parties!

 The Ch 4 series ‘Extraordinary Breastfeeding’ (part 3 as in the video above) gives actual insights from mothers who are breastfeeding toddlers to ages 4, 5, 6, 7 and even 8 years.