Deciding When to Wean
Breastfeeding helps keep your baby from getting sick and speeds his recovery if he does get sick. Breastmilk provides active immunities against disease. If you are exposed to a cold, your body creates antibodies. Your baby receives the antibodies through your breast milk, so by the time you get the cold, your baby is already being protected against it. You actually help protect your baby from getting your cold by continuing to breastfeed. Also, when your baby is exposed to a sickness, after he nurses your breasts begin to create antibodies for that sickness. A child's immune system doesn't completely mature until about six years of age, and it can be reassuring to know that breastmilk continues to help protect your child from sickness as long as he nurses (and beyond).
Breastfeeding provides the most important source of nutrition for your child throughout his first year of life. Long after solid foods and even cow's milk have been introduced to his diet, the nutritional and immunological benefits of breastmilk continue to optimize his development. Breastmilk is a complete and well-balanced food, and it's benefits cannot be replaced by cow's milk or any other food. It has just the right amount of protein and fat for human children and helps their immature immune systems develop properly.
Often, a breastfeeding toddler nurses mainly for emotional nourishment. He may nurse as a way to touch base with his mother throughout the day and be reassured mom is still there, willing and able to meet his needs. Some toddlers nurse just at nap times and bedtime. A toddler who is sick or going through a stressful time in his life may want to nurse more often than usual. Nursing in public becomes less necessary because moms can offer them a snack or a drink. . . but it can be nice to have nursing available, as it has helped to calm many wearied and frazzled toddlers.
When mothers choose breastfeeding as a way to meet their children's need for security and love, some people fear this will create a dependent child. On the contrary, as you meet your child's needs, he will learn to trust you and will then grow into independence as he becomes ready. Independence cannot, and should not, be forced.
When weaning a child from the breast, consider your feelings and needs, and, also, those of your child. Keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "breastfeeding
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