Breastfeed a Toddler - Why?

Is your baby approaching his or her first birthday and you're considering weaning?

The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends that "breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired."

If you and your baby are still enjoying the nursing experience, why not take a look at some of the advantages of nursing beyond that first year?

1) Immunological Benefits

Contrary to popular belief, mother's milk does not have an expiration date!

Your baby continues to receive all the benefits of human milk for as long as he is nursing. In fact, your milk changes to meet your baby's changing needs. For instance, did you know that the milk of a Mom whose baby delivers prematurely is different from that of one whose baby is full term? The milk of a Mom whose baby is older has more protein, fat and more lysozyme (which destroys E. coli and salmonella bacteria) than it did when her baby was younger.

Now that your toddler is, well... toddling about, he's exposing himself to more germs. He's mouthing everything in sight and it's getting harder to keep his toys clean. And what about those bits of carpet fluff and who-knows-what-else he always seems to find and quickly consume?

The immunological benefits of breastmilk may be even more important now. When your toddler does get sick and refuses food, he may even revert to almost totally nursing again. If this happens temporarily, you can rest assured that he's getting his nutritional needs met. If he's vomiting or has diarrhea, breastmilk is far superior to keep him hydrated than the popular rehydration drinks.

In addition, breastfed children tolerate vaccination better and are less likely to have adverse reactions.

In the Journal of Human Lactation, September 1995, several studies are cited which show that exclusive breastfeeding may continue well into the second half of the first year with no detrimental effects, and many positive effects. If you have a picky toddler or one with food allergies, your breastmilk serves as "nutritional insurance" for him and peace of mind for you!

2) Nursing makes discipline easier

A toddler's life is full of frustrations. Having to hear the word "No", wanting to do things that your uncoordinated body can't do, learning to communicate with Mom and Dad and learning to accept limits is hard on a little person!

Nursing is a way of quickly calming a toddler, and it makes every boo-boo better. At our house we refer to nursing as "Baby Prozac". It's also a way to ease the suffering of a child cutting molars.

Nursing is an effortless way to calm a toddler to sleep, making naptime and bedtime easier for everyone.

3) Extended nursing and Mom's health

Breastfeeding helps lower Mom's risk of certain cancers for several reasons. Firstly, the fewer times in a woman's life she ovulates, the less her risk. For some women, their fertility doesn't return until the end of breastfeeding. I've known Moms who went 2 years without a period because their tot was still nursing.

Secondly, breastfeeding lowers a woman's risk of getting breast cancer, and the longer she nurses, the higher the benefit.

Breastfeeding showers a woman's body with hormones that help make her a calmer, less stressed out, and more relaxed Mommy. I've talked with women who had to wean suddenly and they report that they were shocked at the change in their attitudes compared to when they were nursing!

I hope I've given you some food for thought. For more breastfeeding information, visit http://www.natural-moms.com/breastfeeding.html.

Carrie Lauth is a breastfeeding educator who publishes a newsletter full of tips and support for Moms doing things the natural way. Get your free copy at http://www.natural-moms.com

---

How To Live With Your Teenagers Untidy Room

'Whose room is it anyway?'If you have a teenager, you're... Read More

Best Investment

Every week I write something about the stock market -... Read More

Top Ten Reasons to Hold Family Meetings

1. Make stronger connections among individuals and, therefore, creates a... Read More

Helping Your Kids Handle Divorce

Every year over one million parents have to talk to... Read More

A Quiz for Parents: What Are They REALLY Learning?

Picture this. Your child comes home with a special assignment... Read More

Sibling Rivalry: The Magic Trick That Stops It Instantly

It's a familiar scene: Kids screaming at each other, complaining... Read More

Normal and Logical Consequences

Successful parents have learned to be both firm and kind... Read More

Parenting Skills - Five Ways To Turbo-Boost Your Confidence

The 'phone conversation had nothing at all to do with... Read More

Sibling Fighting - Reduce Sibling Rivalry by NOT Keeping Score

Recently, a much-anticipated game of mini-golf with my children soon... Read More

Growing Good People

At age seven months in the womb, humans begin language... Read More

Get Down (On The Floor!) And Play With Your Children

When was the last time you and your kids rolled... Read More

Co-sleeping, a personal story

When I was pregnant, we knew that we had some... Read More

Pay Attention! Its Your Most Important Job

Anyone can become a parent; there are no tests or... Read More

15 Ways to Help Kids Like Themselves

1. Tell me something you like about yourself? Help your... Read More

Give Your Child the Gift of Self-Esteem

Much has been said about the "gifted child" but in... Read More

Role Models for Your Teen

By the time your children reach their teens, there is... Read More

Bring On The Music To Help Your Child Learn Faster And More Effectively

Do you remember how you first learned the alphabet? I... Read More

Want To Further Your Childrens Studies?

Being in a competitive world, the lowest qualification to secure... Read More

Toxic Chemicals, Are Your Children Being Exposed?

You do what you can to keep your little ones... Read More

Homework Doesn?t Have to Be a Battle of Wills

Homework. It doesn't have to be a daily battle of... Read More

How Public Schools Lie to Parents and Betray Our Children

Under the "No Child Left Behind Act," public schools whose... Read More

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What Do We Mean by Attention Anyway?

When we talk about attention, we are talking about two... Read More

Breastfeed a Toddler - Why?

Is your baby approaching his or her first birthday and... Read More

Childrens Books And Educational Toys - Can They Still Be Fun And Have Educational Value

It was no contest. Given a choice between a ball... Read More

Promoting Your Childs Motor Development

Assuming there are no serious motor problems present, what can... Read More

Advantages of Using a Board Certified Pediatrician

When a child is born, a new number is added... Read More

What a Parent Must Do to Stop Online Predators

Teens can freely access the Internet from computers at school,... Read More

How to Parent Your Teen Effectively

Maintain CommunicationEven though teens need to separate from their parents... Read More

Ten Helpful Little Tips For New Parents

The Greatest Gifts in Life, which are always created for... Read More

Fraternal Twin Parenting Concerns

Identity and Your Fraternal TwinFor the most part, throughout this... Read More

Empty Nest Syndrome

Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More

Homeschooling --- A Superior Education For Your Child

Home-schooling provides children with a superior education. Parents can quickly... Read More

Over-Indulgence And Over-Attentiveness - Two Dangers Parents Must Avoid!

We're all familiar with the over-indulgent parent. But there's another... Read More