Go Ahead! Nurse That Toddler!

Then, of course, there are the emotional benefits. Many a breastfeeding mother will tell you that nursing is more than just the milk. It is a way to comfort, soothe, and help to go to sleep. This becomes even truer as a baby becomes a toddler. Often when my daughter is frustrated, scared, or upset, I can make everything all right by nursing her. This is a special time, shared between a mother and child, and there is a bonding and closeness to it that is very special.

When babies are forced to wean at one year (or sooner!) it can be very traumatic to them to lose such a special part of their lives. As you can see from all of the benefits, babies are designed to nurse well past 12 months. A more compassionate method of weaning is to let the child wean herself when she is ready. This brings a rewarding breastfeeding relationship to a more peaceful ending, rather than an abrupt stop that your child has no way of understanding.

Although most reputable sources recommend nursing until age 2, people are still spreading the myth of weaning babies at 1 year. Sadly, it is probably because of cultural stereotypes that this is the case. Many still refuse to see a woman’s breasts as anything but images to be blasted all over TV as objects of desire. I can never understand why it is fine for women to be half-naked on a television show seen by millions, but a woman nourishing her 2 or 3 year old as she was made to do is “disgusting.” Well, I’m here to say that it’s not disgusting; it’s downright beautiful.

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