Even though the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends breastfeeding "for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired," extended breastfeeding is not a common practice in North America. Some even frown on the practice, saying it spoils the child or keeps the child from gaining independence. However, there are many benefits to breastfeeding beyond one year.
Immune System Protection
Even though toddlers receive most of their calories and nutrition from food other than mother's milk, only breastmilk can provide antibodies against diseases. This reason alone is enough to motivate some women to continue breastfeeding after their child's first birthday.
Emotional Attachment
Still other mothers continue breastfeeding their toddlers because of the emotional attachment that breastfeeding has forged. Nursing gives the toddler an easy way to calm down and regroup when over-stimulated. A toddler who is still breastfeeding can easily be comforted when hurt or ill. Many mothers also enjoy the convenience of nursing a wound-up toddler to sleep.
Greater Protection Against Allergies
A study published in 1995 found that children in Finland who were breastfed the longest had lower incidence of allergic reactions, such as atopy, eczema, food allergy and respiratory allergy. By age 17, 65 per cent of those who received little breastfeeding had respiratory allergies, compared to 42 per cent of those who were breastfed the longest.
Higher Intelligence
Many already know that breastfed children tend to out-perform non-breastfed children in measures for intelligence. In addition, at least two studies have found that the differences were greater among children who were breastfed longer. Children who were breastfed longer had higher test scores than children who were not breastfed at all or for a shorter duration.
Human Nature
Anthropologists believe that humans are designed to be breastfed for longer than the recommended 1 year. Katherine Detttwyler, after studying breastfeeding patterns in primates, concluded that the natural length of breastfeeding among humans is anywhere from 2.5 to about 7 years.
If you are breastfeeding an infant, consider following the AAP's minimum recommendation of 1 year. After that, decide if you and your child are willing to continue nursing still. Some women breastfeed their toddlers because it simply feels right to them. However, there are also objective, scientific reasons for extended breastfeeding.
References:
Saarinen UM, Kajosarri M. Breastfeeding as a Prophylactic Against Atopic Disease: Prospective follow-up Study until 17 years old, Lancet 346:1065-1069, 1995.
Mortenson EL, MIchaelsen KF, Sanders SA, Reeinisch JM. The association between duration of breastfeeding and adult intelligence. Journal of the American Medical Association 2002;287:2365-2371.
Daniels M C, Adair L S. Breast-feeding infuences cognitive development of Filipino children. J Nutr. 135: 2589-2595, 2005
Dettwyler, Katherine PhD. A time to wean. Breastfeeding Abstracts. 14,1: 3-4. 1994
Maria Alexis Rodrigo - I am a wife, mother of 3 children (1 toddler, 1 grade schooler and 1 high schooler), and editorial consultant. That is just a fancy way of ...
