More Breastfeeding Advice to Ignore
This post is the third in a series. To see the others, click on the “bad breastfeeding advice” tag.
Three Pieces of Breastfeeding Advice to Ignore — Bad Advice #3:
“Babies shouldn’t breastfeed beyond [six months, one year, etc]. Mothers who nurse their toddlers are doing it more for themselves than for their babies.”
There is nothing wrong with breastfeeding toddlers—literally.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) claim there’s no evidence of psychological or developmental harm in babies who breastfeed beyond age one.
Extended nursing has benefits. Research shows that babies over a year old still receive substantial amounts of nutrients from breastmilk. Even though toddlers need nutrition from solid foods, breastmilk is still a valuable part of their diet, providing high amounts of vitamin B12, vitamin A, folate, vitamin C and protein. The composition of milk even changes to fit baby’s growing needs.
Even though the sight of nursing toddlers isn’t at the forefront of society, extended breastfeeding isn’t extreme. The AAP recommends breastfeeding for at least a year and longer as mutually desired by mama and child and the World Health Organization urges moms to nurse for at least two years.
Extended nursing isn’t a selfish act. Sure breastfeeding is relieving for mom but, really, is there a mom who’d force her toddler to nurse just so she can “baby” him? Would that even be possible?
