The Wonderful Challenge of Nursing a Toddler

By Jacquelyn S. Dwyer

My daughter Abigail was born with bilateral clubfeet, we spent much time of her first 8 months at the Children's Hospital. The staff was very considerate about my breastfeeding my infant before appointments, during long waits or to calm her after stretching and casting.

After 6 months of treatment and not enough progress we were faced with corrective surgery. After surgery they didn't understand the need for a regular size bed for a 6-month-old baby. For us, this was the only thing we knew, because we have co-slept and night nursed her whole life. They responded with a resounding NO, so not wanting to put my daughter through anymore than she had already been through that day, I climbed into her crib. Some were amazed and some were horrified. I really didn't care.

Her orthopedist was very pleased to see how well she was doing after surgery and how little her need for heavy painkillers. (Mama's milk is the best isn't it?)

That all was a year ago and on her 1-year post surgery checkup we were told she is doing wonderfully, with no signs of regression. The funniest thing about the whole day happened after the actual exam. My 18-month-old daughter was about two hours late for her nap and really hadn't wanted much milk in the toy-and- children-crowded waiting room, but after the trauma of seeing her "foot doctor" she was ready for "Mi-mi's," so she laid her head on my chest and started to lift my shirt all the while saying "Mi-mi's."

There was her orthopedist who has been working with children for 20 some years and two orthopedic fellows in the room at this time, and when my sweetie decided it was time for mama's milk, there were six eyes searching for the right place to look. It was if they had never seen child eat before.

I looked up and laughed out loud and commented that this is the wonderful challenge of breastfeeding a toddler, you never know what to expect and they know exactly what they want.

I love breastfeeding my daughter and I know it is the best thing for the both of us. I hope the 2 young medical professionals will remember this incident as they go on into their own practices.

So when you see a breastfeeding toddler and mom, please don't turn away or look at her as an outcast. She and her baby love what is happening or it wouldn't be happening.