Nursing Toddlers
This evening Aiyana was only interested in hobnobbing with mommy and nursing until she fell asleep. If someone would have told me, before she was born, that she would be nursing after two years of age I would have said, No way! Yet here we are almost three years later and she is still nursing. She does not nurse as much as she used to and it is primarily when she is drowsy.
A couple of nights ago I had a chat with her. “You’re still nursing eh?” Aiyana grins and nods her head sleepily as she resumes nursing. “Why do you nurse? “Does it make you feel special?” She nod her head up and down as she moves closer to mommy in bed. I teasingly ask her “Do you plan on nursing forever?” She laughs and shakes her head “no” vigorously from side to side. I really enjoy this special bonding time.
I have included information on nursing. There are health benefits for the child and the mother!
Health Benefits for Breastfeeding
A Well Kept Secret Breastfeeding Benefits to the Mother
Do you want to learn more about Breastfeeding? Check out La Leche League. If you are looking for support give them a call at (847) 519-7730. You can also check to see if there is a local chapter in your area. In the earlly months after Aiyana was born I was so thankful for my birth doula, midwives, and the support I received from the local La Leche League.
Online Chat
They do have online chats you can check out the times here.
on April 19th, 2006 at 10:41 pm
Thanks for posting this info and commenting on my blog. And, that is so cool that your daughter is consciously thinking about her nursing habits. I definitely plan to breastfeed and look forward to these bonding moments.
Do you think it is a good idea to get involved with the League before the baby is actually born?
on April 20th, 2006 at 5:40 am
It definitely is! I did not go to the monthly meetings, it conflicted with my schedule, but I took advantage of contacting the locl LLL leaders. When I attended the meeting during maternity leave there was a lady that attended the meeting that was pregnant. The women LLL members were so supportive and helpful. They do have online chats you can check out the times here. When I went back to work I took full advantage of their chat forums. The host for these meetings is a LLL leader, quite a few are lactation consultants.
on April 20th, 2006 at 11:48 am
Thanks…I will check it out. I am really thankful to have support from all my vegan friends (even if it is in cyberspace). A few of my family members really are starting to aggravate me. They are telling me that I am brainwashed and that I need to eat MEAT during pregnancy. I realize that they are just ignorant and don’t get the lifestyle at all, but it is still hurtful.
on April 21st, 2006 at 3:10 am
I nursed both my girls past two and Avery almost to three. I never got what the big deal ws, it just fet like a good and right thing to do. I never worried about weaning or what other people thought, really, because I figured it would work itself out in the end… don’t see too many 12 years olds still nursing, so you figure they gotta give it up sometime.
My girls both just kind of fell off at some point, and when they did it was relatively pain-free for both of us. I think it is a great thing you are doing for your girl. I think health benefits aside, nursing provides an unparalleled sense of comfort and security for them. Whenever people start up those conversations about how gross it is that someone is nursing a toddler, I jump right in and am like “Oh yeah, well I nursed mine till she was almost three and could go get herself a glass of soy milk out of the fridge but she’d rather have mommy-milk”. That shut ‘em down pretty quick. Shocking, I know. God forbid that breasts actually be used for the purpose nature intended them!!
on April 21st, 2006 at 11:33 am
aww, those are special moments. i nursed my son until he was 2 yrs, 4 months old, and my daughter just weaned in february at 2 yrs, 6 months. i totally cried, i so miss those cuddly times!
on November 6th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
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on December 23rd, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Yet another thing we have in common (though I’m not surprised). My daughter is 2 years, 6 months, and there’s no end in sight. I’ve had some really nasty comments from one relative, and my mother keeps telling me it’s time to wean. But she understands when I tell her that my daughter will stop when she’s ready.
It’s so interesting to hear their thoughts on nursing. I’ve always had low flow on one side, and faster on the other (her favorite side), so she’s named them green and blue (two of her favorite colors, blue being the most favorite.)
Now she’s taken to talking to my breasts and pretending they talk back (”Hello, how are you? I’m fine. How are you?”
So silly! I know the end is coming, and I’m cherishing these sweet moments.
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on April 11th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
i think this is child abuse!!!!