I've never put a time limit on how long I would breastfeed. I believe it is up to Harper and will let her decide when she wants to self wean. This is not the norm around here and when I tell people this I am always getting "Ohhhhh.." or "Mmmm..." I really wish that more people would understand the importance of the relationship/bond you can have with your child through breastfeeding and also the important benefits of continuing as long as your child wants. There is NOTHING like it, nothing I can compare it to.
Continuing to nurse into and through toddler-hood is so beneficial for your baby. Harper is still 98% breastfed and doesn't really eat solids yet, so all of her nutritional needs are met through breastfeeding even though she is 11 months old.
Breastfeeding can help protect your toddler for illnesses by enhancing his/her immune system. When your child has an upset tummy, breast milk is about the only thing that will actually stay in the stomachs without making them more sick/upset.
The longer you breastfeed, the more omega-3-fatty acids, or DHA, your child is getting, which means a smarter child in the future.
If you are a fan of delayed or no vaccinations, breastfeeding for at least two years significantly lowers you child's chances of getting any of the sicknesses that are "prevented" by vaccines.
Your breast milk will never loose any nutritional value just because your child gets older, it will always have all of the same nutritional benefits whether you are nursing a 1 month old or a 24 month old.
On top of benefiting your child, which is enough reason to continue in itself, it is also beneficial for the mother as well.
It significantly lowers a mother's chance of getting breast, ovarian, uterine, and endometrial cancers
It also reduces a mother's risk of developing cardiovascular disease
And to top everything else off, breastfeeding a toddler is NORMAL. Yes, you read that right. It is completely normal, natural, and beautiful.
Breastfeeding Harper has been one of my greatest and most beneficial accomplishments. I am so excited to continue this normal, natural, beautiful journey with her.
That's great. IJ stopped on her own at two. We're having to force Bubba off though. I think it's different with a boy though. He's 100% Momma's boy, lol. He's over two now, and he's taking good, not complaining too much. Sindy is happy though, I guess three years of nursing gets tiring.
ReplyDeleteI know that this is an older post of yours, but I just came across your blog today. I love that you're a young mama doing all these great things for your little one (I also cloth diapered my 3, and breastfed until over 2 years old with two of my kids).
ReplyDeleteI was 17 when I had my first child (she is now 14), and it seemed that everyone felt the need to tell me how to do things "the right way"...I'm glad I didn't listen, and did what I felt was right.
I think the views of breastfeeding vary's greatly on where you live...we moved around a lot, and some places it was totally excepted (I also always nursed in public if my babies wanted to), and some places I got awful looks, stares, and comments.
You seem like a confident mom, and I'm glad to see you following your heart, and taking your role as a mama seriously. Beautiful.
Oh, and I'm glad you're not worried about your daughter not eating much solids...my youngest (who is almost 3), never ate much solid food for a long time (and he's a complete vegetarian to date), and he is my healthiest child (and was my longest breastfeeder).
Okay...I'm done. Just wanted to tell you how refreshing your look at parenting is. :)
- AK
Amanda,
DeleteThank you so much for taking the time to read my blog and thank you for your kind words!
I try to be as confident as I can be when it comes to making decisions for my daughter. Some may see these decisions as weird or abnormal, but like you said I do believe it has to do with where you live and what people around you view "normal" as. Where I live, it seems as though people just don't talk about breastfeeding or cloth diapering and I really want people to start talking!
I'm thankful that you made the decision to breastfeed and cloth diaper your children and I just am hoping others will do their research and choose what they feel is best for their child.
Thank you again!