How does breastfeeding a toddler make it easier?
9 November 2009 11 Responses
A Parent asks, In a lot of Q&A that I read, people state that breastfeeding makes toddlerhood so much easier, but no one really specifies how or why.
Can those with experience please tell me more about this? I am hoping to breastfeed into my son’s toddlerhood.
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Past age 1 is just freaky
i agree with mary…weird
You can calm the child down at any given time. This is a powerful tool for both of you. So easy, so fast, so effective. The child gets emotional needs met quickly and safely. Independence grows naturally, in time, our of confidence rather than out of fear. You, too, will be a confident mother who has the power to soothe and nourish your child at any time. Beats tantrums, loveys, and food fights any day! Enjoy this special time.
my sister did that and her 2 year old in and easier.
I didn’t nurse my first child (not by choice) and she just stopped her binkie 2 weeks ago and she’s 4. My son is 19 months and still nurses all the time. He has been so healthy and the just the easiest baby. When he falls down, gets hurt or just needs some loving, I can nurse him and it makes it all better. I’m ready to cut back but it seems everytime I do, he gets sick or cuts more teeth and we have to start all over again. It really is worth it if you can and that’s a great bonding time with your baby. The only drawback is when I’m in public and he’s tired or not feeling good, he says “I want boob!” Thank God I’m really the only one that can understand him….enjoy him while he’s little
His lovey can never be lost, I always have them with me. Also, I don’t stress so much about him getting enough nutrients or hydration, as he nurses so much. Getting him to sleep is easy and fuss free. Co-sleeping along with breastfeeding makes nights so much easier, as I can just latch him on when he wakes and I can fall back asleep, and he can nurse himself back to sleep. Calming him down is easy, as all he needs is num-nums and he will calm down so quickly.
It also provides great opportunities for me to sit and relax when I need to nurse him, as life can keep us on our feet almost all day.
It’s an instant calm for tantrums. Many times I’ve had an overtired, unreasonable toddler on my hand until he centered himself (and raised his blood sugar) with a few minutes of nursing.
Toddlers are notoriously picky eaters. Nursing let me relax about what my toddler wasn’t eating- I knew he was still getting excellent nutrion through breastmilk, and relaxed about the particulars of what he ate from day to day.
1) Never ever worry about whether your toddler is getting enough to eat.
2) Instant boo-boo cure (also disinfects wounds)
3) Still calms toddlers and helps them sleep. Allegedly helps prevent tantrums (and if that’s true I can’t imagine how much more insane my son would be *lol*)
4) Less fasting if toddler needs to go under anesthetic (like for dental work)
5) Hungry toddler and forgot to pack a snack? Not a problem you have booby juice.
I
Well, there are so many reasons, but I will pick my favorite.
#1 It keeps them healthy
*breastmilk has all sorts of nutrients that picky toddlers need. It completes and compliments the often restrictive diets of toddlers.
*breastmilk has antibodies that strengthen immune systems
*it is considered a “clear liquid” and is suitable for pre-surgical consumption, as well as rehydration during illnesses that include diarrhea and vomiting
#2 It is a great source of comfort
* A toddler that has such an ingrained source of comfort feels freer to venture out and even possibly get hurt because they know they will be comforted in a familiar loving way
* A toddler that has his dependence NEEDS met is likely to be more independent when it is age appropriate than children who are prematurely Forced into “independence.”
#3 it keeps moms healthy
*the longer you breastfeed, the lesser the likelihood of developing breast cancer.
*It helps you not stress about the fact that you toddler decided to only eat apples and crackers today!-)
Many more reasons can be found at the link below
Every child transitioning from infancy to toddlerhood encounters roadblocks to their quest for independence and new discoveries (such as safety gates and childproofing). Life is frustrating for these little people, with their wobbly walking and limited vocabulary! Not to mention teething pains! Bumps and bruises and tears are part of everyday life.
Breastfeeding releases hormones that calm mother AND baby, and also perk baby right up! It’s awesome. When your baby nurses, oxtytocin is released, which facilitates endorphins that pass to your baby, calming and pacifying them.
Who WOULDN’T want to be able to nurse your tiny child in their little “crisis” situations? I love having it in my bag of tricks.
**To all those who think it’s “freaky” or “weird” past some arbitrary age you’ve picked out: GO AWAY until you can read enough on the subject to realize how wrong and ignorant your statements are!!
Comfort – Do you dread vaccinations? No fear, just nurse the pain away. Got a boo-boo? A little nursing will help your child forget all about it. Also, great on a plane during takeoff/landing (relieves ear pressure).
Health – Those antibodies don’t mysteriously disappear once your child is a toddler. Breastfed children of any age have far fewer colds and ear infections than other children. Plus, you also lower your chance of developing breast cancer, which is pretty awesome.
While it’s unfortunately not the norm in our society, it really should be. The natural weaning age of a child is between 2.5 and 6 years old. I’m all for breastfeeding until your child decides he/she is done.
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