What do most mommies who breastfeed their toddlers think is the most important benefit? The bonding that takes place between mother and toddler. At a time when your child is quickly gaining independence, it helps to have some quiet, special time for mother and toddler to cuddle and breastfeed.
In addition, toddlerhood is a time when your child may seem to be constantly frustrated. Tantrums are common at this age, and breastfeeding can be the perfect way to calm down an angry toddler. Often mothers of breastfeeding toddlers wonder how other mothers could make it through these difficult years without the “magic soothing potion” of breastfeeding.
Breast milk is also extremely nutritious for infants and toddlers alike. For picky toddler who don’t seem to eat enough solid food – or who refuse healthy foods like vegetables – breastfeeding is a way to make sure that your child is getting nutrients anyway. Breast milk also contains antibodies that can help your child fight off infections and can strengthen her immune system.
At the same time, breastfeeding toddlers can be embarrassing or inconvenient at time. After all, if your child starts screaming “Wanna nurse!” in the supermarket while grabbing your shirt, you might want to sink into the floor. People might make rude comments about breastfeeding an older child as well. Some mothers who breastfeed their toddlers suggest limiting where feedings can take place, or making a rule that they will not breastfeed in front of other people. For mothers who do breastfeed their toddlers in public, they may feel frustrated when their toddlers insist on moving and twisting. While infants can be easily covered and nursed in a modest fashion, many toddlers refuse to do so.
Weaning is one issue that some extended breastfeeders find extremely challenging. While some people believe that weaning an older toddler is easier than weaning a year-old infant (because you can reason with an older toddler), others find that because of the tenacity of an older toddler, weaning leads to tears and frustration on both sides. Of course, some mothers decide to wean their toddlers only when their toddlers decide to wean on their own, but this can stretch breastfeeding into the preschool years, and rarely, beyond that.
Some extended breastfeeders fear that, like extended bottle feeding, extended breastfeeding can lead to dental issues later on. Although the research on this subject seems inconclusive, this may also lead to a decision to wean a breastfeeding toddler earlier rather than later.