Extended breastfeeding: is it for you?

 

What is extended breastfeeding?

Extended, or long-term breastfeeding is when you continue to breastfeed your baby beyond his first year.

If you decide this is right for you and your baby, you're in good company with mums around the world. The average length of time mums breastfeed their children across the globe is about four years.

The World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health recommends you continue to breastfeed till your baby is two years old. Despite this advice, and the global trend for extended feeding, you may feel uncomfortable about breastfeeding your toddler or preschooler. Extended breastfeeding or breastfeeding beyond the first year is a matter of personal choice. And as a mum you would be able to decide what works best for you and your baby.

The hardest part of extended breastfeeding can be putting up with unwanted comments and stares from friends, family, and strangers.

But don't let others pressure you to stop. There are plenty of good reasons, emotional and physical, for continuing to breastfeed your child. It's up to you to decide what's right for you both.

Why is breastfeeding my toddler a good idea?

Here are the benefits of extended breastfeeding:

• Even though your child is now getting most of his nutrition from solid food, breast milk still provides valuable vitamins and enzymes.
• If your child is ill, breast milk may be the only thing he can keep down. You'll feel better too, knowing that you're helping him fight off the illness.
• Breastfed toddlers usually get sick less frequently than their peers do. If your child is prone to allergies and infection, breast milk can provide immunity to reduce the effect of the infection as well.
• Toddlers are always on the go, and you will be too, just to keep up! Breastfeeding gives you both a chance to take time out for each other.
• As your child matures, breastfeeding can be an important way to comfort and feel close to him. The strong attachment your child feels with you while feeding will actually help him to be independent, rather than clingy. Forcing a child to stop breastfeeding before he is ready will not necessarily create a more confident child. So, it's best not use tactics such as applying neem or bitter gourd (karela) juice to your nipples.
• Breastfeeding your baby beyond his first year also means you won't have to bother with formula feeding at all.
• If you travel a lot, breastfeeding is a lot easier than carrying around milk or worrying about having to buy supplies when you reach. And when you're staying overnight in a strange place, the comfort of your breast may be the best way to soothe your child's fears.

What are the challenges with extended breastfeeding?

You may find yourself in some uncomfortable situations at times. It may help to keep the following in mind:

• You may get comments and criticisms from people who think breastfeeding an older child is strange.
• You may feel inhibited about breastfeeding in public, especially if you've already experienced people making comments. This can be difficult if your toddler lifts up your shirt in the market and demands a quick snack.
• Your child may start to rely on your breast when he's really just bored or it's the only way to get your attention. However, it is easy to distract your child and interest him in other ways. Toddlers are eager to explore the world and need stimulation to fuel their rapid development.
• Breastfeeding a toddler when you're pregnant is possible. But you may find it physically demanding. Unless you plan to continue breastfeeding your older child after your baby is born, you may want to think about weaning him before the birth. You may find your toddler is happy to wean himself. The taste, and sometimes amount, of your milk changes during pregnancy.

How can I make extended breastfeeding work for me?

Try these tips to make extended breastfeeding a little easier:

• If you can, find like-minded mums. Then you'll have a support network of long-term breastfeeding friends around you. Our community is a great place to meet mums who may be in the same stage as you.
• You may feel more comfortable breastfeeding your child only while you're in your own home. If that's the case, feed your child before heading out. You could breastfeed once in the morning and once at night and teach your toddler to drink from a cup during the day.
• If you don't care what people think or say, then have some responses ready when someone asks you the inevitable question: "Is he still feeding?" Sometimes a simple "yes" is the best conversation stopper.
  Or, the next time you're feeding in public and someone asks, "Are you ever going to stop breastfeeding?" say, "Yes, in about 10 minutes."
• You can teach your child a code word for your breasts, so that when he starts demanding "numnum" or "mama" in the middle of a restaurant, no one will pay any attention.
• If you're coming under pressure about extended breastfeeding, remind yourself and others of what a wonderful job you are doing, helping your child to grow.

With the right support, and a certain amount of determination, you and your baby can look forward to many more months, and possibly years, of happy feeding.