In fact, it's something that many moms do because they desire it and so do their toddlers. The American Academy of Pediatrics is now on record as encouraging mothers to nurse at least one year and as long after as both mother and baby desire. The World Health Organization recommends breast feeding for the first two years.
Despite all the claims that people make about it having no nutritional value past the first year, breast milk does indeed have lots of wonderful components (source: kellymom.com):
In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL (almost 2 cups) of breastmilk provides:
- 29% of energy requirements
- 43% of protein requirements
- 36% of calcium requirements
- 75% of vitamin A requirements
- 76% of folate requirements
- 94% of vitamin B12 requirements
- 60% of vitamin C requirements
In addition, the health value is significant:
“Antibodies are abundant in human milk throughout lactation” (Nutrition During Lactation1991; p. 134). In fact, some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process. (Lawrence & Lawrence 2011, Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991).
As a first time mom, I don't understand the negativity with breast feeding past the first year. Last year, I had co-workers (females with no children) say, "Why are you still breastfeeding? I guess it's okay, but as long as you stop when he starts asking for it."
A newborn baby asks to be fed... right? What's the difference if my toddler now can use something more than crying to ask for something he wants? Oh, and thank you very much for your uninvited opinion on how to feed my child.
Anyway, I'm going back to work in a few weeks, and I've reluctantly started the weaning process. I know that I don't want to pump anymore, so I thought that going to two feedings (morning and evening) would be manageable. Manageable? Sure. But getting there? Not so much... Let me tell you, it's been rough. Emotionally. Like depressing and unexplained sadness. In fact, it reminds me a lot of the baby blues. Quick google search revealed that yes! This is normal!
"One of the changes that occurs with weaning is a drop in prolactin levels. Prolactin, the hormone that stimulates milk production, also brings with it a feeling of well-being, calmness and relaxation."
Oh, how I am feeling that prolactin and oxytocin drop! The only time of day when I consistently feel that All is Right with the World is when I am nursing. Weston digs it, too. Three days ago, I dropped the feeding before first nap. He wasn't happy about it and let me know in the form of crying and pulling at my shirt. I've stuck to it though, and he's adjusting. I know when we drop the before-second-nap feeding, I'll more than likely go through another bout of sadness. And so will he.
I knew this when I got pregnant: I wanted to breastfeed. I was going to try and make it to a year, and that goal changed to "six months is good enough" when things got rough. We made it to six months, and I thought, "Not so bad...A year isn't that far off." As this past May approached, I decided that I had pumped for nine friggin' months, so I was going to enjoy a summer sans pumping and complete on-demand breastfeeding--just me and my little nursling. And now, I have this very strong feeling that I will stop breastfeeding when he and I are both ready. I read that as when we are both ready, he is ready, or I am ready. Not when others think I'm ready.
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