Much ado is made about breastfeeding initiation rates, supporting new breastfeeding moms, and exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of an infant’s life. But what about those of us who want to breastfeed beyond 6 months, beyond a year? Aside from the AAP’s statement that mothers should have “support for breastfeeding for the first year and beyond as long as mutually desired by mother and child” there exists what seems to be a gray area. Breastfeeding limbo. I can remember as a first-time mom hearing over and over about exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, and wondering, then what? Do they eat all solids? Drink cow’s milk? Oh, you mean if I stop breastfeeding I have to give him formula until he’s 1? After overcoming all the breastfeeding troubles I had with my first baby, I thought, heck no, I didn’t come this far just to give him formula, and so I kept on nursing him.
Yes, there are mothers out there who are breastfeeding well into the toddler years… Where is our information and support? The reactions I’ve gotten for “still” nursing my 10/12/15/18 month old speak volumes. I can’t imagine what kind of reaction I would get if I were nursing a 2, 3, or 4 year old. Outside an LLL meeting, it seems these topics are rarely discussed. Breastfeeding moms already often feel isolated, by self- or culturally-imposed taboos on breastfeeding in front of others. It’s even more isolating to feel like those around you are also judging your choice to breastfeed and for how long.
“Extended” breastfeeding needs to become more mainstream… It needs just as big a push as breastfeeding initiation and early support have gotten. More breastfeeding women need to speak up. We’re out there and you may not even know it! And it’s not just about changing attitudes, it’s also about changing policies: Advocating for longer, paid maternity leave; making workplaces hospitable to pumping; working towards childcare that is on-site or in close proximity to workplaces so that mothers can take “breastfeeding breaks.” The campaign to promote breastfeeding shouldn’t stop at 6 months!
I was very vocal about extended breastfeeding. We just stopped and my son was 3 years old. I can imagine if you’re not completely confident in what you’re doing, it might be hard to take criticism, but I had absolutely no doubt it was the right thing for us.
It’s interesting how things have changed as far as the AMA goes too. They used to say that 6 months was good enough and that after that there is no nutrition, now they are up to 1 year, I think? They’ll keep upping that I’m sure. At any rate, it wasn’t just for nutrition for my son. It was about bonding, security, etc. And he’s never had cow’s milk! I love that aspect.
Thanks for the article!
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I agree that extended breastfeeding should be more widely accepted in the mainstream. I, instinctively, breast fed my first until he was 3 years old. I knew of no other mother who was doing this. I just did it. I couldn’t understand why others thought I was doing something perverse. It felt natural for me, and I’m glad I had the confidence and the trust in myself, to continue for as long as I did. I worry that other mothers may give into the pressures to stop when they, and their child, are not ready. People need to understand that this is a wonderful option for some, and should not be looked down upon.
I am excited to read the comments of you wonderful intelligent mothers’!!!!! I am expecting my first child in September and am almost as excited about breast feeding as I am to meet my little one. I am an advocate for breast feeing and have found so many mothers’ justifying breastfeeding for it’s immune buidling properties and nutritional benefits with this 6 month timeline!!!! I must express (pun intended) that the benefits run far deeper than the obvious physical to include emotional, spiritual and psycological bonding/security development. Breastfeeding should be taught in parenting classes and should be encouraged as a crucial part of a person whole and integrated development, for both mother and child!!!
I would love to see more people talking about extended nursing. My personal definition is nursing past when they hit 2 years old since I go be the WHO recommendation though. I’m nursing my 2 year old and imagine next year I will be nursing my 3 year old, haha.. unless he has other ideas. People need to educate themselves on what is best for their children instead of judging others based on a perverted mainstream culture. If nature intended for us to be doing it then how can someone say that it is wrong? I’ve never given my son cow milk and I never plan to.. because he isn’t a cow! It just seems like such common sense when you look at it from an outside view. Hopefully more people will realize!