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Breastfeeding a baby beyond infancy is called extended breastfeeding. Although exclusive breastfeeding is recommended until six months, breastfeeding beyond the first year of life may help a child obtain better nutrition and immunity competence. The weaning process is also easier in extended breastfeeding since babies get time to wean as they get more used to a solid diet.
In addition, breastfeeding helps maintain the emotional bond of the mother and the toddler. As per the pediatrician’s recommendations, you may plan a weaning diet for the toddler.
Read on to know more about the benefits, challenges, and tips for extended breastfeeding.
Is Breastfeeding Beyond Infancy Recommended?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the initial six months of life and breastfeeding with solid foods until age one. Breastfeeding beyond infancy,that is,beyond one year of life, can be chosen according to the mother’s and child’s willingness (1).
Exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months of life is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for optimal growth and development of a baby. The WHO recommends adding safe, complementary foods to a child’s diet after six months, to provide adequate nutrition if they are breastfed from six months to two years or beyond (2). It means you can continue to breastfeed the child even beyond the age of two years while providing them solid food.
According to anthropologists, breastfeeding duration can be from birth to two and a half years or seven years in modern humans. It is similar to many primates weaning their offspring until they erupt their permanent teeth. In humans, the first permanent teeth usually appear between the ages of five and a half and seven years(3). Children may also attain better immune function around the same period. Therefore, breastfeeding until the eruption of permanent teeth is possible if not prevalent, according to experts (4).
What Role Does Breast Milk Play In An Older Baby’s Diet?
Breast milk can provide additional nourishment to a child. However, this depends on the amount of breast milk your child is feeding. Although a toddler can get nutrition from a solid diet, breast milk also provides essential nutrients, such as vitamins, and immunity-benefitting substances. This may reduce the risk of certain illnesses and deficiencies in toddlers.
The mother’s breast milk supply could influence how much breast milk the child gets to feed. Children who drink small amounts of breast milk may not receive adequate nutrients from breast milk. Therefore, you may use solid foods to complete their nutritional requirements. You may seek a pediatric evaluation of your child’s growth and dietary needs since these may vary in each child.
Will Breastfeeding Beyond Infancy Make The Weaning Process Complicated?
Not always. You may begin the weaning process when your child initiates. Some babies may prefer to wean earlier, whereas others may start weaning later. After six months of age, it is natural to begin weaning, and there is nothing wrong with introducing a solid diet.
Some babies may gradually change from breastfeeding to weaning, closer to one year of age. However, it is normal if some children begin weaning in their toddler years. Although breast milk provides many benefits, it is recommended to include solid food after six months of life.
Your toddler may be happy to explore new tastes and the texture of food. Many children who are breastfed beyond infancy may outgrow breastfeeding on their own and begin to self-wean.
What Are The Benefits Of Extended Breastfeeding?
Extended breastfeeding can be beneficial for both mother and child. The benefits of breastfeeding beyond infancy may help reduce the risk of the following illnesses in mothers (5).
- Ovarian cancer
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Heart diseases
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Diabetes
- Delay maternal fertility due to lactation amenorrhea
The child may enjoy the following benefits from extended breastfeeding.
- Antibodies, cells, and hormones in breast milk can boost a child’s immunity
- Protects against common childhood illnesses, such as diarrhea and pneumonia
- Reduces the risk of obesity and overweight in childhood and adolescence
- Prevent dehydration while recovering from infections
Breastfeeding may increase the bonding between mother and child, and children often find comfort in breastfeeding. Some toddlers may prefer to breastfeed before sleeping. Breastfeeding may also help to soothe a child who is unwell.
The Role Of Extended Breastfeeding In The Emotions Of Mother And Child
Breastfeeding can be comforting for babies and mothers and, thus, may enhance their interpersonal relationships. Rapid or forceful weaning could impact a child’s emotional well-being. Extended breastfeeding allows natural weaning while the child can maintain the emotional attachment to the mother.
A sudden cessation of breastfeeding may cause a shift in maternal hormones, which may lead to temperamental issues, such as depression, among many women. Extended breastfeeding with natural weaning may facilitate gradual changes in hormones, which could be physically and mentally more comforting for the mother.
What Are The Challenges Of Extended Breastfeeding?
The following challenges could be faced by mothers who breastfeed a child beyond infancy.
- Comments and suggestions from people about feeding an older toddler may make the mother conscious about breastfeeding in public.
- Toddlers may not mind asking for breast milk in the middle of shopping in a supermarket or children’s park. However,it may make for an awkward situation for the mother.
- The toddler may begin asking for breastfeeding when they are bored or when they want your attention. In such cases, you may have to divert their attention to something else.
- Toddlers may demand breastfeeding only to quench their thirst. You may offer them water in such situations.
- Fussy eaters with teeth may bite while breastfeeding. You may say “No” to avoid future bites during nursing.
You may set rules and provide instructions to the toddler for when they can ask for breastfeeding. A fixed breastfeeding routine could also let the toddler know when to expect the next feed. While these steps could help overcome challenges related to a toddler, many mothers may wonder about ways of dealing with others’ perceptions.
How To Handle Negative Reactions To Extended Breastfeeding?
The decision to breastfeed your child beyond infancy is up to you and your child. You may remind the loved ones and others who insist you to wean that it is your choice. You may trust your instincts more than others’ opinions regarding changing your child’s diet.
Breastfeeding in public is protected by law in many countries, so you can breastfeed outdoors (6). Remember, extended breastfeeding is between you and your child. Therefore, focus on providing the nourishment the little one needs rather than what others think of it.
Is Nursing Your Toddler Possible During Pregnancy?
You can breastfeed your toddler when you are pregnant. However, it can be physically demanding for some mothers. The taste and quantity of breast milk may also change during pregnancy. In some cultures, women tend to breastfeed older children along with the newborn, called tandem nursing. There is nothing wrong with it. But if you do not want to breastfeed a toddler after the baby is born, it is advisable to begin weaning the older child before you deliver (7).
You may seek advice from a lactation consultant if you plan to breastfeed a toddler along with a newborn. Since newborns should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months, and more frequently, it may not be easy to breastfeed a toddler, too. Moreover, you need to ensure that a sufficient amount of breast milk is available to your newborn.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is extended breastfeeding harmful?
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians research paper, extended breastfeeding is not harmful to the mother or baby. The World Health Organization (WHO) also emphasizes continuing breastfeeding beyond six months in all possible cases (8).
2. Can extended breastfeeding cause hormonal imbalance?
Extended breastfeeding may not cause hormonal imbalances in most mothers. Lactation can lower estrogen levels, which may cause vaginal dryness and tenderness. This can be managed with vaginal lubricants or prescription estrogen creams. While breastfeeding beyond six months can increase anti-mullerian hormones AMH from the ovaries, which can be beneficial since it delays the onset of menopause (12) (13).
3. Does extended breastfeeding make me tired?
Extended breastfeeding may not tire you if you follow a well-balanced diet with adequate hydration and rest. However, the experiences may vary for each mom. According to La Leche League GB, extended breastfeeding beyond babyhood may help calm down toddler tantrums. Mothers can also feel calm and get more sound sleep due to the hormones (14).
4. Does extended breastfeeding cause speech delay?
The research shows that extended sucking outside breastfeeding can negatively affect speech development in babies. Some researchers suggest that extended breastfeeding helps the child to develop coordinated breathing, swallowing skills, and speech articulation. However, it is not recommended to avoid extended breastfeeding considering its benefits for the baby since the data on speech delays are observational and require more evidence (15).
Breastfeeding beyond infancy may continue for as long as you and your child are comfortable with it. You may gradually begin weaning the toddler to meet their additional nutritional needs. Extended breastfeeding may make it easier to wean the toddler smoothly while also giving your body the time to adjust the milk supply. Also, it can provide the toddler with several benefits, thus do not hesitate to try breastfeeding beyond infancy.
If you are considering extended breastfeeding, do not fret since it will not negatively impact you or your baby. Instead, it can offer many benefits such as increased immunity for the baby and the prevention of diseases such as breast cancer and diabetes for the mother. Hence, you may safely breastfeed your baby beyond infancy while simultaneously introducing solid foods to make weaning the toddler easier. Although society may have different thoughts about it, extended breastfeeding should solely depend on you and your baby’s comfort.
Key Pointers
- Mothers can continue breastfeeding beyond one year for as long as they and their child desire with adequate intake of solid foods.
- Extended breastfeeding can offer a child essential nutrients and antibodies to strengthen immunity and support overall health.
- On the other hand, it can protect mothers against breast and ovarian cancer, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- However, extended breastfeeding can become challenging for several reasons, like a toddler asking for breastmilk and not water to quench thirst.
References
1. Toddlers and Breastfeeding; The American Academy of Pediatrics
2. Continued breastfeeding for healthy growth and development of children; The World Health Organization
3. Eruption Charts; American Dental Association
4. Breastfeeding Beyond a Year; La Leche League International
5. Benefits of Breastfeeding; The American Academy of Pediatrics
6. Breastfeeding in public; U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
7. Breastfeeding During Pregnancy And Tandem Nursing; La Leche League International
8. Breastfeeding, Family Physicians Supporting (Position Paper); American Academy of Family Physicians
9. Julie R. Palmer et al.; Lactation in Relation to Long-Term Maternal Weight Gain in African-American Women; American Journal of Epidemiology (2015)
10. Importance of Breastfeeding; Narayana Health
11. Science Update: Extended breastfeeding linked to higher hormone levels and later menopause onset; National Institutes of Health
12. Breastfeeding And The Hormones Of Sexuality; La Leche League Canada
13. Science Update: Extended breastfeeding linked to higher hormone levels and later menopause onset; The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
14. Still Nursing?; La Leche League GB
15. Infant Sucking Habits May Affect How Baby Talks; University Of Washington
