Breastfeeding
Toddlers
Breastfeeding Toddlers
 Nursing an older child is becoming more and more common. As mothers become more educated on the benefits of breastfeeding the trend is changing to breastfeeding their babies into toddler hood. Most mothers are not as open about breastfeeding their toddlers but numbers are showing that it is more and more common. A positive image of breastfeeding is gaining. More mothers who once nursed their toddlers in secret are coming out and admitting that they are not weaning before the first year. Famous actresses, models and singers such as Erykah Badu, Jerry Hall and Carrie Anne Moss are speaking out openly in interviews, posing for photographs and breastfeeding their toddlers in public. Current surveys show a 72% increase over the last 11 years in moms that have started breastfeeding. The percent of moms still breastfeeding after a year has increased by 20% in the same time period. Continuing to breastfeed past the first year is supported by many health professionals. Studies are also showing that breastmilk is just as nutritious after the first year. During the second year of nursing 15 ounces of breastmilk contains 43 percent of the required protein, 36 percent of the required calcium, 75 percent of the required vitamin A, 76 percent of the required folate, 94 percent of the required vitamin B12, and 60 percent of the required vitamin C. Dr. Jane Morton, a pediatrician who is a clinical professor at Stanford Medical School as well as a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics breastfeeding section states, "There are no medical or psychological reasons not to nurse long term." "It's frowned on in the US because the breast has become so highly sexualized." She goes on to say it's a myth to think that a child who nurses long term will not develop autonomy. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that "There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychological or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." Research done by Anthropologist Katherine Dettwyler, PhD states, "The natural age of weaning for human children is between 2.5 years and 7 years. |
|
The
