Because breastfeeding is really only now coming back in “style” (I say that in quotation marks, because, really, the health of our children shouldn’t be a cultural fad), not much is known by the general populace about breastfeeding past 1 year.
“Now that your child is 1 year old, you can begin introducing cows’ milk.”
This is the standard line every American mom hears at her child’s 12 month well-baby doctor’s visit. When my first two boys were babies I didn’t question this.
It was surprising then, when I was pregnant with my third child, to learn that there is no reason for a baby who is breastfeeding happily to be weaned simply because they hit a certain date on the calendar. It was a light bulb moment.
There is absolutely no medical, health, or other reason that a baby who is breastfeeding well should be weaned when they turn one year old. In fact, breastfeeding past 1 year benefits your baby far beyond what introducing cows’ milk does.
*Note: For this article, I want to start off with the understanding that this is directed at mothers who are happily breastfeeding their babies and would only wean their babies from the breast because their doctor, family, friends, whomever urge them to wean at 1 year. I know what it is like to be unable to breastfeed (for various reasons). This article is not intended to make those who are unable to breastfeed feel guilty.
Benefits of Breastfeeding Past 1 Year
1. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends it.
The AAP recommends a “continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant.”
2. Breastmilk continues to provide substantial amounts of important nutrients for toddlers.
Breastmilk changes as your child grows in order to meet the needs of your child. In addition to a significant contribution of fat requirement, in the second year of life, just 15 ounces 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
3. Breastfeeding boosts your child’s immune system.
At 1 year of age baby’s immune system is only functioning at about 60% of adult level (Huggins 2007). Breastmilk has an abundance of antibodies which can keep our babies well even when everyone else around them seems to be sick. Breastfeeding toddlers between the ages of one and three have been found to have fewer illnesses, illnesses of shorter duration, and lower mortality rates (Mølbak 1994, van den Bogaard 1991, Gulick 1986).
If your child does happen to get sick or feel unwell, he will often accept breastmilk when he refuses other foods.
4. Breastfeeding past 1 year provides emotional advantages for toddlers.
According to Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. in “Extended Breastfeeding and the Law”:
“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.“ She continues, “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.”
Rather than creating an endless dependency on mom (which I have heard some critics of breastfeeding past 1 year argue), extended breastfeeding supports a toddler with love and security as they naturally and gradually gain their own independence.
5. Extended breastfeeding can delay fertility for mom!
While you shouldn’t absolutely depend on breastfeeding as birth control, I have to say it is really nice to be 18 months post partum and not have a monthly visit from “aunt flo”. *I should note that women can experience a return of fertility at anytime after baby is born and that breastfeeding is not a guarantee that you’ll not ovulate and have your period.
6. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of cancer.
The longer you breastfeed, the greater reduction your risk for breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer. (References)
7. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Researchers have found that women who breastfed a cumulative total ( months breastfeeding all their children) of 33 months had greater bone strength and size than women who breastfed for less than 12 months.
8. It is what our children were designed to do.
Research by anthropologist Katherine A. Dettwyler, PhD, the natural age of weaning, as determined by weight gain, length of gestation, dental eruption, and other factors, is 2½ to 7 years old.
9. Breastfeeding Boosts Child Intelligence Outcomes.
While the research on this theory is still in its infancy (so to speak) current studies support the hypothesis that breastfed children score higher on intelligence tests than their formula fed counterparts. Studies show a correlation between longer breastfeeding and higher scores.
Also interesting to note is the study that found that children who were breastfed for at least the first 6 months of life had lower incidence of Attention Deficits.
10. You avoid the trauma of early forced weaning.
Imagine spending hours a day snuggling up to your favorite person, looking into their eyes…emotionally bonding and eating your favorite most nutritiously complete food. Then imagine that the very person you have enjoyed all this emotional bonding with suddenly says your snuggling days are over. For some little ones, parent-led weaning can be very traumatic. Extended breastfeeding can save you and your little one lots of confusion, tears, and frustration.
Infant feeding [breast feeding] should not be considered as a lifestyle choice but rather as a basic health issue. –American Academy of Pediatrics
Have you been able to breastfeed past 1 year? What has been the most rewarding part of extended breastfeeding?
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you check out these other great articles…
What is Baby Led Weaning and How do I get Started?
Tips for Getting Your Baby on a Healthy Sleep Routine
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About Amy @ Oh So Savvy Mom
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