Old Enough to Talk, Too Old to Breastfeed?

by babyled | More from this Blogger

There was never any question in my mind as to whether I would breastfeed our children. I always knew it was the perfect food for a baby. The more I read about it, the more I was amazed at just how many benefits there are for both baby and mom.

My mom breastfed my siblings and I for about a year and a half. That sounded like a pretty good number to me before I had kids. Now that I have a baby and am loving breastfeeding, I realize that I might breastfeed much longer than that.

Before becoming a mother, I thought it was weird when mothers breastfed their children very long after they could walk. I'd join in with others and say things like, "If the kid can ask for it, he's too old!" or "When my child can walk up to me and lift my shirt, it's time to stop."

Now that I'm a mother, my opinion has totally changed. First of all, I will never again judge a mother for deciding to breastfeed her child past the "normal" age. Secondly, I'm not so sure that I'll quit after 1 ½ years, as I formerly planned.

Breastfeeding creates such a special bond between mother and child. It's a way to connect during the day. In all the hustle and bustle of life, it provides a way to enjoy some quiet time together. Breastfeeding almost always comforts a child, no matter what is wrong. Breastfeeding continues to provide health benefits to children well past the first year and a half.

How long are mothers recommended to breastfeed their children? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that mothers breastfeed their babies for at least 12 months, and the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding up to 2 years of age and beyond. Both organizations state the minimum recommended about of time; neither recommends when breastfeeding should stop.

How long do you plan to breastfeed your child? Did your opinions about breastfeeding change after you became a mother?

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Learn more about babyled

BabyLed is the married mother of one beautiful daughter. She and her family live in the Midwest of the United States. BabyLed loves learning new ways for her family to be healthy and happy.

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