Nursing A Toddler, Let’s break this all down!
What are the benefits?
We have seen first hand how it benefits toddlers to breastfeed and to breastfeed until they wean themselves.
Breastfeeding toddlers between the ages of one and three have been found to have fewer illnesses, illnesses of shorter duration, and lower mortality rates. In fact, a toddler with an upset stomach may be able to tolerate nothing but human milk. Audrey (Dana’s Daughter) (4.5 years) has never had antibiotics ever. When she does get an illness it is very short lasting and there are very few symptoms.
The nutritional benefits don’t just stop when a child reaches a specific age. Breast milk is an incredible, nutritionally dense food which will benefit a child of any age until they choose to wean. Teething makes toddlers not eat well sometimes. When you’re breastfeeding it is a nutrition, energy and hydration source that is always there that many toddlers will accept even when they are teething.
It is the ultimate comfort tool! When they are sick, hurt, teething etc it’s so easy to just offer to nurse them! The Oxytocin that breastfeeding releases is a pain reliever for both mom and baby. I asked Audrey (Dana’s Daughter) (Age 4.5 Years) what does “BAE” (breastfeeding) mean to you and she simply said it’s hugs, sitting and lying down and being with mom. It’s mommy loving me. Breastfeeding for a child is as simple and innocent as love and comfort.
Breastfeeding has an antibiotic effect and this can be especially beneficial as they reach the toddler stage. At a time when they can be fighting off surrounding germs, it works as a great protection. For my daughter it has kept her from getting multiple illnesses that ran rapid through our household. We had strep throat 3 times and she didn’t get it. My doctor and her pediatrician both agreed the only reason she did not get it was because she was still breastfed. We had the flu and she got it too but it was a very short round for her and breastfeeding not only comforted her but it kept her hydrated.
Breastfeeding a toddler helps with the child’s ability to mature.A breastfeeding toddler is having his dependency needs met. The closeness and availability of the mother through breastfeeding is one of the best ways to help toddlers grow emotionally. I have seen this first hand with Dana’s daughter. Audrey (Dana’s daughter) is 4.5 and she just weaned. She is very independent. She isn’t clingy or needy at all. She plays independently and acts very mature for her age. She is very comfortable with new people.
Sources:
http://www.llli.org/faq/advantagetoddler.html
What do the experts say?
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine affirms breastfeeding beyond infancy as the biological norm. “The average age at weaning ranges anywhere from six months to five years… Claims that breastfeeding beyond infancy is harmful to mother or infant have absolutely no medical or scientific basis,” says Arthur Eidelman, MD, president of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. “Indeed, the more salient issue is the damage caused by modern practices of premature weaning.” The global organization of physicians further notes that “Human milk contains nutrients, antibodies, and immune-modulating substances that are not present in infant formula or cow’s milk. Longer breastfeeding duration is further associated with reduced maternal risks of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and heart attack.” (ABM 2012)
The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond (WHO 1993, WHO 2002).
The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that breastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that “As recommended by the WHO, breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy, but this is not the cultural norm in the United States and requires ongoing support and encouragement. It has been estimated that a natural weaning age for humans is between two and seven years. Family physicians should be knowledgeable regarding the ongoing benefits to the child of extended breastfeeding, including continued immune protection, better social adjustment, and having a sustainable food source in times of emergency. The longer women breastfeed, the greater the decrease in their risk of breast cancer.” They also note that “If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned.” (AAFP)
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that “Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child… Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother… There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer.” (AAP 2012, AAP 2005)
How often does a toddler nurse?
Breastfeeding frequency for toddlers is usually pretty erratic and varies greatly from child to child. Some children nurse once or twice a day and some nurse more often.
This also depends on teething status, how much mom encourages them to do other things and how mom encourages them to do other things.
Does my toddler need other foods and drinks after age one?
If you are still nursing your child doesn’t NEED extra drinks unless you want to offer it. Personally, I recommend offering some water or some other milk with meals to help them wash solids down. At age one they do need to be eating solids. If your child is not eating solids at this age please make an appointment with your pediatrician. Fruit infused water makes a great alternative to sugary juice.
Children 1 to 3 can have about 44 fluid ounces of water a day. Keep in mind some of this water comes from foods too.
At one there main source of nutrition becomes food with breastmilk as an additive. When they are teething or sick they may refuse food and that is okay. If baby is sick or teething you can try offering smoothies or frozen fruit to them for nutrition and to make them feel better.
According to the AAP, your 1-year-old can get enough calcium and vitamin D from 8 to 12 ounces (1 to 1 1/2 cups) of cow’s milk – or the equivalent amount of other milk products, like yogurt or cheese. By age 2, your child should get 16 ounces, or 2 cups, of cow’s milk or other milk products each day. Cows milk isn’t necessarily if your child eats a well rounded diet. Make sure your child gets plenty of Vitamin D, Fat and Calcium from food if you choose not to introduce cows milk.
At age one you should offer approximately 5 small meals a day. It’s healthy and normal for a child to eat small amounts all day long. Fruits and Veggies as snacks are very important. AAP recommends offering fruits and veggies as snacks and not a lot of non nutritious empty calories like “Puffs”.
If you want to push more solids I recommend not nursing before meals but after meals and also offering more snacks and other fluids.If your child is not eating well slow down on other fluids and nurse more as they need the nutrition breastmilk provides.
Sources:
http://www.aappublications.org/news/2017/05/22/PPJuice052217
http://www.parents.com/advice/toddlers-preschoolers/toddler-feeding-and-nutrition/how-much-liquid-should-my-1-year-old-consume-daily/
http://kellymom.com/nutrition/starting-solids/toddler-foods/
