BREASTFEEDING A TODDLER (>2+ y.o.)? The World Health Organization and UNICEF strongly encourage global breastfeeding through toddlerhood: “Breastmilk is an important source of energy and protein, and helps to protect against disease during the childs second year of life.” Breastfeeding toddlers between 16 and 30 months old have been found to have fewer types and shorter duration of illness and to require less medical care than their non-breastfeeding peers (Gulick. E). Some of the immune factors in your breastmilk will increase in concentration during this second year (Goldman. A et al) Your milk is still providing your child with essential proteins, nutrients antibodies and other protective substances and will continue to do so for as long as you continue nursing. Human biology is geared to a weaning age of between 2 1/2 and 7 years (Dettwyler. K). “It takes between two and six years for a childs immune system to fully mature. Human milk continues to complement and boost the immune system for as long as it is offered” (La Leche League). Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest (van den Bogaard, C. et al), (NCT) . At this age many children form attachments to comfort items. This reliance peaks during their second year (Encyclopaedia of Childrens Health; Stringer. K). Examples include rags, toys, dummies and even a bottle, objects that can all be mislaid, forgotten or lost. The beauty of breastfeeding your toddler is that your childs source of comfort is permanently attached to you. Furthermore, nursing does not produce the harmful health consequences that a dummy or bottle would at this age (e.g. dental malformation, tooth decay, speech delay). ~ thealphaparent/2011/12/timeline-of-breastfed-baby.html#
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 00:37:01 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015