 |
| Photo credit |
I've started a little mini-series where I'm going to post 5 reasons why I've chosen something uncommon from the mainstream regarding birthing and mothering. I started off with my post on 5 Reasons Why I Chose Home Birth, and today I'm going write about something that makes me a little uncomfortable to admit publicly; 5 personal reasons why I've chosen to "extend" breastfeed, or breastfeed full term as I like to call it. I've also written a post here about the benefits of extended breastfeeding.
Before I became a mom, I remember having a conversation with a friend about breastfeeding. I told her there was no way I'd ever breastfeed! So the fact that I'm breastfeeding my 2.5 year old right now in addition to my baby would've shocked my former self into unconsciousness! Here's how I came to this point:
Breast milk doesn't stop being beneficial at one year - There are some people and even doctors who believe this crazy idea that breast milk doesn't do a child any good after the age of 1. That really couldn't be further from the truth. This is a little snippet from KellyMom on the benefits of breast milk in the 2nd year:
- In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:
- 29% of energy requirements
- 43% of protein requirements
- 36% of calcium requirements
- 75% of vitamin A requirements
- 76% of folate requirements
- 94% of vitamin B12 requirements
- 60% of vitamin C requirements
– Dewey 2001- The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2008).
- Per the World Health Organization, “a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness.” [emphasis added]
And in fact, they haven't researched the benefits of breast milk past 2 years, and seeing as how breast milk continues to adapt to the child's needs in the second year, it very easy to assume that it would continue to do so even after 2, 3, and yes even 4 years. Breast milk is pretty dang amazing! So in conclusion - I want him to have the healthiest possible start in life!Breastfeeding confers significant short and long-term health benefits for both the mother and her infant, which go beyond the period of breastfeeding itself. ~ National Health Service of Great BritainBreastfeeding is nature's health plan. ~Author UnknownBreastmilk: the gift that keeps on giving. ~Author Unknown
I wanted to foster security for later independence - It may seem as though breastfeeding past infancy would create a clingy, babyish child, but it actually creates quite the opposite. Breastfeeding instills security, and a secure child is an independent child. Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. in “Extended Breastfeeding and the Law” states “Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood. Meeting a child’s dependency needs is the key to helping that child achieve independence. And children outgrow these needs according to their own unique timetable.”
And can I just say...breastfeeding has helped me out so many times during Piggie Smalls' toddler meltdowns! When nothing else works, offering to nurse him has been a way for him to calm down, reconnect to me, and reorganize himself.
There was never a reason to stop - Among my breastfeeding peers, I started watching everyone around me drop like flies once we got to the one year mark. I definitely couldn't fathom stopping at one year because Piggie still got most of his nutrition from breast milk (he wasn't a fan of solids until around 10 or 11 months). Once we got to 2, I had a couple friends still hanging in there but there was mostly talk of weaning. It made me nervous to admit I was still nursing him, but I just never (and still haven't) gotten to an honest place of feeling the need to wean him. I've for sure fantasized about it when I'm touched out, but I still really feel like he needs it. I just know he's not ready yet. I don't really know when we'll stop...I didn't think I'd still be nursing at 2.5 and here I am, still very much feeling that Piggie is too young.
It kept us close after the birth of my second child - Oh, if I could count the times I felt my heart break right after I had the Dactyl. That week, I remember sitting in my bed with the Dactyl laying next to me while I watched Piggie being carried away so I could rest. He just sadly stared over Luis' shoulder at me and his eyes said so many things to my heart. He was scared, nervous, sad, jealous, hurt, and he wanted his mommy. And how do you explain all of this to a 2 year old? I was so thankful that I could take him in my arms and nurse him like we'd always done. It was our special time together to reconnect and my way to show him how much I loved him and that the new baby hadn't changed that. That in itself has been the number one reason I'm happy I'm still nursing my toddler.
References
Baldwin, EN. Extended Breastfeeding and the Law. Mothering 1993 (Spring);66:88.
Kristen D
Thank you for sharing!
Jessica
You're welcome Kristen, thanks for commenting!
Stacey Gannett
Breastfeeding didn't really work for me with any of my kids, they just didn't take to it. It is sure great though when it works. Have a wonderful week!
Jessica
Yes, it's definitely great when it can work out. Thanks for commenting!
Kelsey Ferguson
Thank you so much for your words! At my little guys 1 year appointment the doctor tried to tell me that breast milk had no nutritional value after the first year. Luckily, I had done my research (LOVE KellyMom) and knew that this wasn't the case. It's not like my milk spoiled at his first birthday. What makes me sad is that the mom's who haven't done the research and take the doctor's word as truth may stop before they and/or their child are ready.As you can tell, I'm a little passionate about extended breastfeeding. My son's 15 month appt is this week, and I have a feeling we are just going to skirt around the topic! I have no intention of stopping and neither does he! I don't know if we will make it to 2 years or beyond, but as long as he wants to nurse my plan is to let him! :)Thank you so much for being brave and sharing this post! And good for you for hanging in there even when your friends were all done! 🙂
Jessica
I know, I totally don't get why some doctors could possibly believe that breast milk is suddenly useless after a child turns one, makes ZERO sense!Good for you for doing your research and not just blindly following a doctor's advice! I love hearing from other moms who are also bfing longer than the average "normal" length of time, thank you so much for commenting!
Bismah Abdelgawad
Breastfeeding is so natural and helps form a strong bond between child and mother. I am currently breastfeeding my one year old son and plan to do so for at least 6 more months. I am pregnant with another and due in early December. I am not so sure as to wean of my first before our second comes or not. I feel it will be a tough decision. Found your blog through "This Mommas Meandering Mondays" blog hop. Now following you Bismah @ http://simplemamaathome.blogspot.com/
Jessica
Thank you for commenting, if you ever want to ask me any questions about bfing thru pregnancy feel free to email me. It's definitely a tough decision to make either way you go. It's not easy to wean and it's not easy to bf thru pregnancy for a lot of women, myself included. Hardest thing I've ever done!
Blair Francis
i love this post. breastfeeding was so dear to me and when my child gave it up at 13 months, i was heartbroken. i had anticipated nursing far longer but as you said, child-led weaning is best and she was ready!so glad i found your blog through the "mommas meandering mondays" blog hop! i'm a new follower on bloglovin'.blair @ http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/8109491/baby-for-sc...
jennifer
I'm still breastfeeding my 15 month old, although we've started weaning. I'm kind of sad about it although she has let me know she's ready. I'm glad we made it so long though!Visiting from The collective hop!
Jessica
That's awesome mama, way to go! Thanks for visiting and leaving me a comment!
Amanda Karl
Thank so much for sharing this! I have been wondering how I'm going to wean Harper at a year, but now this makes me want to keep going. I love the bond I get with her, so I really didnt want to stop, its just something I thought I was suppose to do. Amanda
Jessica
Keep goin mama if it doesn't feel like the right time to stop! Its SO good for them, the longer the better 🙂
Kelly Marie
I am sharing this on Pinterest 🙂
Christie
Beautiful sentiments! I could have written this article myself a couple years from now. I currently only have one child and he and I love breastfeeding. He is almost 2.5 and I don't see him slowing down much. I was recently hospitalized for nearly one week. He only nursed twice. No pumping and no mommy milk for nearly a week. The moment I walked in the door he welcomed me in and made me sit down to have some 'BeeBoo'. By the third day I was home, it felt like the early months. My deflated balloons had become engorged from (allowing) constant nursing. He wanted it so much, I could not have told him no to something that was a huge part of our daily lives.
So... Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It feels good to be able to relate to so many of your sentiments. And I am thankful to hear about ones I have yet to experience, but now I know it is not just a dream. It can be my reality!
Jessica Dimas
Oh my gosh I totally teared up reading the part in your comment about him asking for beeboo right away, how precious and adorable. I could totally see my 2 year old doing the same, he is in love with his "mimis". I've been recently feeling this pull to wean him (he's 3 next month) because I never envisioned myself nursing a 3 year old, but at the same time I'm not sure I'm ready to. And I know he isn't. Well...I know he'd be okay but he definitely wouldn't wean on his own right now. Ugh, I'm going to write a post about it soon, it's had me so conflicted and sad! I hope you and your little boy are doing well and going strong <3