As a nursing mom I have always heard “when are you giving that baby a bottle?” As soon as my babies reached 6 months old I would be asked so many questions as to why they’re not on formula. Well, because they’re my kids and there are many benefits to nursing them into the toddler years!
Modern western culture spends a lot of time screaming “breast is best” while sabotaging moms along the way with incorrect facts and formula supplementation. The WHO suggests that (if possible) a mother should continue to nurse until 2 years of age. Believe it or not humans are actually meant to nurse for 2.5-7.0 years. While this may not be your goal lets break down the benefits from 12-23 months. As soon as a baby turns 12 months old cows milk is pushed, as if mother’s milk loses nutritional value. Claims that breastfeeding beyond infancy having no medical benefit actually has no scientific data to support it. From 12-23 months breastmilk contains 29% of energy, 43% of protein, 76% of calcium, 75% of vitamin A, 76% of folate, 94% of B12 and 60% of vitamin C needed for your toddler’s daily nutrition.
Going beyond 2 years also has its benefits. In milk from mother’s nursing longer than 2 years there was a higher concentration of total protein, lactoferrin and immunoglobulin A. Children that nursed for the first 3 years had fewer illnesses than those that were weaned sooner. Antibodies in mother’s milk seems to increase in the 2nd year of nursing. Extended nursing could actually prevent 10% of deaths in children under 5 according to the WHO!
The benefits of extended nursing goes beyond just nutrition and illness prevention, it’s also good for their growing mind and independence. Children that nursed longer have improved cognitive achievements as well as better mental health. Believe it or not soothing them and giving them the breast actually makes them more independent. Meeting dependency needs actually increases independence!
Moms benefit from extended nursing as well! Mom’s that nurse longer have a lower risk of uterine, endometrial and ovarian cancer. You have a lower risk of breast cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis! It’s about time these kids start to give back!
Breastfeeding beyond the age of 12 months has a lot of benefits, pediatricians will start to push you to stop but this is a choice that is really between you and your baby. No matter what your desired goal is you should make that choice from a place of information and not pressure. You should be proud of nursing for 6 weeks or 6 years!
Birth with a Voice 