I have a friend who is still nursing her 2 & 1/2 year old. What are the benefits of this, if any? Weird?

Question

I have a girlfriend who is still nursing her 2 & 1/2 yr old son. She says she's trying to do gradual child-led weaning, never intended to nurse this long, but that life circumstances made it more difficult to wean her son. For example her husband left her and her son wouldn't give up nursing as easily so she hasn't forced it. She's kind of a "natural" hippy type person a little bit, so I guess it's something that she might do, but I wonder if it's to the point where it's getting strange.

Is it odd to nurse this long? What are the benefits, if any??

Answer 1

i think each women should breast feed as long as it iscomfortable to them, and the baby.  if the child cannot be taught the appropriateness of the boob-feeding occasion ( ie: pulling shirt down at the resturaunt, saying she wants boobie loudly, etc.) then it is time to stop.

if i was breastfeeding this long, there would be a time for it. at night before bed & in the morning, not all hours of the day whenever he wanted. im not a prude either, i dont mind whipping it out under a blanket if i am out somewhere and he was a baby, but at 2 it should be confined to the home on your schedule, not the childs. he gets more than enough with solid food and drink,. so it is more of a security/bonding thing.--

oh and by the way, i know that breastfeeding is great but every doctor i know say the colostrum when you first deliver is the most important. once it becomes milk, its great, but it provides the same nutrition if theydid it for one year or 3.

Answer 2

there are no nutritional benefits to this because the child is eating solid food as well. it may just be a comfort thing for her and the baby. she needs to wean him off soon or he wont be able to settle at nursery and if his little friends find out he will be a laughing stock. in poor countries people nurse for a lot longer but that is because food is in shortage

Answer 3

It might seem strange, but a surprising number of moms still nurse their young toddlers.  They aren't exclusively nursed - but do go for the good stuff maybe a couple times a day, or at night.

There is totally nothing wrong with it, and no, she wont be nursing till hes 14 :)

The benefits remain the same as nursing an infant.  Mother child bonding, superior nutrition, free health care through antibodies in the milk, and security for the boy.  Recent studies have shown that children who are left to wean themselves, even later than their parents might like turn into more secure and self sufficient adults after a childhood of confidence in having their needs met.  

Just another note - Somtimes with the arrival of a new baby, toddlers who have been weaned for months make a return to the breast.  Nothing abnormal - They just want to know that they can!!

Answer 4

I think if a child is old enough to talk, they are definitely old enough to drink from a cup.  

Answer 5

I think it's strange, my best friend is still nursing her 21 month old and I think that is strange (her daughter will pull her shirt up in front of people, and she even will bite her breast if she gets mad).  I have breastfed 3 babies so I'm definitely for the healthy and natural way but when they get that old it is definitely time to quit ( or atleast pump some milk into a cup or something)

Answer 6

No, it is not odd. It is biologically natural, normal, and very beneficial. Actually, all of the major health organizations of the world state just that, that it is healthy, natural, and beneficial to breastfeed for 3 years and beyond. There are so many benefits, not only for child but for the mother as well. The child will continue to get immunity benefits, as well as many vitamins and nutrients. The longer the mother breastfeeds, the less her risks for breast and cervical cancers.

Allowing a child to choose when they are ready to wean, not forcing it on them, creates emotional stability, a higher self-esteem, and they will be more secure in social interactions. There are so many benefits, I could go on and on. Do a little research and you can discover them for yourself.

http://promom.org/101/

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/eb...

http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detwean.ht...

Answer 7

i agree with mom face, there are still many benefits to nursing an older baby/child. they receive continuous immunity, security, and nourishment.extended nursing may not be for everyone.the world average age that children wean from the breast is 5. it sounds like your friend is very educated and knows she is doing whats best for her child. i say the point at where it may be getting strange to breastfeed is when they are in college.j/k lol.anyway,how long you breastfeed is a personal choice between the mother and child.

Answer 8

There are plenty of benefits, the longer you breastfeed the more immunities they get.

It's only odd in modern times, it seems society does condone breastfeeding in general or co-sleeping.

Answer 9

Benefits are that there is higher fat content directed for that child after 12 months, it's comfort 'food' for the child and bonding time for Mommy and child.  I really don't feel comfortable nursing that long and my limit was 18 months, but I did it at 16 months with my daughter because we were having another baby and I wanted my b***s for my own for a bit before he came LOL.  Lots of people do this until 2 1/2 or 3.  

Answer 10

Let's start by saying I am from the U.S.(not a poor Country) I'm Educated beyond most... I hold a 4 year University Degree,and I Breast Fed all 4 of my children 2 years each, exclusively the first year then solids were added...they were Never weaned to formula, they never once stuck their hand down the front of my shirt nor pulled on my clothes. After a year old they were nursed 3 times a day...breakfast,nap time and at bedtime..in between they ate solid foods...my kids are now 13,14 and 17 years old,all very active athletically as well as academically all hold OVER a 3.0 GPA(one of them holds a 3.896 GPA)...not ONE of them has EVER had to be Hospitalized due to illness, Two of them had to have an Antibiotic ONE time during their lifetimes and my 14 year old son, has NEVER needed an antibiotic.Healthy..Healthy..Healthy.. I'm sure you get my point...Breast is DEFINITELY BEST!

Answer 11

I find nothing weird in breast feeding a toddler.  My oldest daughter self weaned right before her 2nd birthday.  My second I stopped nursing at 27 mos only because I found out I was pregnant.  I have a history of miscarriage so my doc recommended I stop nursing.  If it weren't for his concerns I would've continued to nurse her until she weaned herself.  Both my girls were nursed twice a day after 1 yr and I also NEVER had a child pull up my shirt or grab for my b*****s.

As others have stated breast milk changes as your child grows.  It continues to be a superb source of antibodies and nutrients, even in older children.  

If your friend is comfortable with it I certainly don't see a problem.  If you are uncomfortable with it, tell her.  Maybe she could no longer nurse in front of you or go into another room..  

Answer 12

So many moms rave about the added benefits of extended nursing, and kellymom.com even as articles on it. I guess the milk changes to meet your child's needs as they grow.

Personally I do find it strange nursing a child who can outright ask for it, and then get to it himself. (pulling down moms shirt and pushing aside the bra.)

I know that is how it is in other cultures, and that's all well and good...especially in cultures where it may the the only nourishment  a child might be able to get. But in countries where a child can get nutrients elsewhere, like out of solid food, I think it's time to end the nursing relationship and find new ways of keeping a strong bond with your child.