Mini me is now one year old, and YES, I am still breast feeding. As she was approaching the one year mark people constantly asked me if I was still breastfeeding, and wondered when I would stop. Now, more than ever I am facing criticism for nursing my daughter passed the one year mark.
It feels good to know that I have achieved nursing for so long without any complications. My daughter is healthy; she hasn’t even gotten sick even if I had a cold. Nursing provides comfort to her. There are so many benefits, yet, people frown upon at nursing beyond one year. People who are misinformed believe that nursing passed six month to one year has no benefits to the child – it does.
The American Academy of Pediatrics would disagree. The organization recommends that babies exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months, continue breastfeeding for at least 12 months, and continue beyond that “for as long as mutually desired.” The World Health Organization promotes breastfeeding for “up to two years of age or beyond.”
Her one year appointment is coming up, and during her previous appointment, her doctor stated that after a year old we can introduce cow’s milk if we want. Now, why would I want to give my daughter milk that’s meant for a baby cow over milk that’s made by me especially for HER? It makes no sense.
I love visiting Kellymom.com for all of my nursing issues and questions, and I found information today on adding cow’s milk to the diet of a breast feeding toddler. Here is what I found:
There is no need to add cow’s milk to your toddler’s diet (or the equivalent nutrients from other milks or foods) as long as your baby is nursing at least 3-4 times per day. Cow’s milk is really just a convenient source of calcium, protein, fats, vitamin D, etc. – it’s not required. There are many people in many parts of the world who do not drink milk and still manage to get all the calcium, protein, fats, vitamin D, etc. that they need. Read more here
It cracks me up that people feel more comfortable giving their children man-made things like formula, and are uncomfortable with things that occur naturally.
To those individuals whose argument for stopping breastfeeding because it rots children’s teeth: how about implementing a good dental hygiene regimen for your kids? If you brushed, wiped etc. your kids teeth and gums, they will not rot.
With that said, I wish people would really stop asking me when I am going to stop. The answer is, when we are both good and ready. Trust me, it will be before she is a teenager.:lol:. I don’t even understand why it bothers people so much, it’s my tit! Please, for the last time, stop referring to my breasts as “thing”.
What do you think about nursing beyond 12 months?