I am breastfeeding a 2 ½-year-old toddler, and I have no problem doing it in public. In fact, I am so proud and glad that I am still breastfeeding that I have a breastfeeding counter on the bottom of my blog page! You would expect strangers to give me looks, but I actually have to justify my choice to friends and family more and more lately.
Why do I still breastfeed? Because Landon still wants to and asks for it, I love the bond we have through it and the convenience — and most importantly, I do it because it benefits Landon’s and my health! Why would I stop something that is enjoyable and healthy for my child and me?
In order to quiet those who question my choice, I have done extensive research about the breastfeeding benefits for the child and the mother. Unfortunately, the benefits for the mother are so often overlooked or not even known, I thought I’ll share with you some statistics about the amazing health benefits for breastfeeding moms:
* Breastfeeding promotes a reduction in risk of many cancers and other serious diseases, during and after lactation. Women who breastfeed reduce their risk of developing breast cancer by as much as 25 percent. The more months or years a mother breastfeeds, the lower her risk of pre- or postmenopausal breast cancer, even with a family history of the disease. For every year a woman breastfeeds, she reduces her risk of breast cancer by an average of 4.3 percent. The risk is reduced another 7 percent by simply having a baby.
* It also reduces the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer and lessens osteoporosis. Non-breastfeeding women have a four times greater chance of developing osteoporosis. Current studies show that after weaning their children, breastfeeding mothers’ bone density returns to pre-pregnancy or even higher levels.
* Also, women who breastfeed for more than one year are 10 percent less likely to develop heart disease and strokes than women who have never breastfeed. Breastfeeding for even one month may cut the risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
* For each year of breastfeeding, a woman decreases her chances of getting type 2 diabetes by 15 percent.
* Breastfeeding mothers tend to have an earlier return to their pre-pregnant weight. (Breastfeeding has been the greatest diet I have ever been on!)
* Studies show that breastfeeding mothers show less postpartum anxiety and depression than do formula-feeding mothers. (Have you ever met a (exclusively) breastfeeding mom struggling with postpartum depression? I haven’t. Please let me know if you have.)
Mothering Magazine just wrote a great article about “How Breastfeeding Boosts the National Economy.” (Did you know that the U.S. cost of treating respiratory viruses resulting from not breastfeeding is $225 million a year?) The above numbers were compiled with the help of that and three other articles. You might want to read them in their entirety for more in-depth information.
Mothering magazine
Ask Dr. Sears
La Leche League International
E Canada Now
So the next time you get asked why you are (still) breastfeeding, just smile and refer them to me!
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m not a mom who breastfeeds for a ‘long’ time..I’m usually done when my child is about 7 months. (I have four) I found many of your points interesting, but thought the one about ppd uninformed! I personally have had some major issues with ppd, even while exclusively breastfeeding. Also, I’ve had a couple friends with the same problems.
Breast feeding doesn’t have any ‘built in immunity.’ Your child is born with whatever level you gave him, in the womb. We can lower our immunities through poor diet, not enough rest and other factors as we get older, ie. drug use.
The concept today that we can boost our immunity higher than what it naturally is, when we are at our best/peak performance is a misconception.
Yes, yogurt is good for the bacteria in our intestines, where a lot of our immunity is based. If we deplete it through some means of neglect, then yes, we do need to replenish it.
I am nursing my almost 21 month old. I am sooo glad I didn’t wean at the year mark like everyone wanted. I am a closet nurser and avoid the topic because it is easier for me. I hope I can be like you someday and stand up to the people that have issues with it. Most people don’t even ask, they just assume you wean at 6 months or a year. I will continue to nurse for I don’t know how long, but I don’t have the time frame in my head like I did when he was an infant. Thanks.
So nice to hear from you, Crystal. I didn’t intend to nurse this long either; actually, I never thought about when I wanted to stop. Now that I so enjoy it and learned about all the health benefits to me and my son, I will bf as long as we both want, no matter what anyone says, even my husband. I know I’ll miss it when this time is over, and I’ll worry more about my son getting sick. I love the built-in immunity he gets! Nature is amazing!
Great post! Just wanted to let you know you have a new subscriber- me!
Thanks for sharing your story and all of the great information!! I am still breastfeeding my 3.8 year old son (we are down to 1-2X per week now). I had many battles with my family over my choices, but most of them ended years ago when they realized that they weren’t going to change my mind. I was also very lucky to have 2 or 3 close friends who were nursing toddlers when I had my son – so I had great roll models!!
You can read about my breastfeeding journey here: http://mommynewsblog.com/gentle-weaning-one-moms-journey-through-breastfeeding/
Judy, it is so great to hear your story! Wow, almost four, I commend you :) I feel the same way, I want Landon to wean when he is ready. I don’t care what other people say, but I feel for all the moms who stop because of negative comments. Your child’s health and your own is so much more important than those few negative people!
I’m still breastfeeding my son who is 10 months old now. I wish to breastfeed him until he self-weans. However, just yesterday I was told that he started to reject frozen BM (I’m a working mom). I have no problem breastfeeding him back at home after work. I dislike the babysitter who is so negative and does not encourage breastfeeding.
Do you have the same experience with him when you give him frozen BM? He might be full with other food and doesn’t want it because of that. At least he still gets your milk when you are home. If the sitter has a problem with giving BM, I would think of switching sitters, if possible. Keep it up, you are doing such a great thing for your boy :)
I think breastfeeding is wonderful; for both the bonding and the amazing health benefits. I breastfeed my two little ones up to a year and at times wish I went a bit longer. Enjoy this time and health benefits!
jennifer@mybabybasket.ca
Good for you to continue breastfeeding like that. I nursed my son until he was 12 1/2 mos and that was long enough for me and him. He was ready to be weened. But I am a fan of Dr. Sears and know how important what I call, “Mommy milk” is for your children.
You go girl!!! I unfortunately only made it for 1 year … I wanted to go longer but neither of my kiddies wanted to continue. They would both nurse for about 5 seconds before wiggling off to do other stuff. I loved the convenience though .. no washing bottles, prepping bottles, mixing formula, and best of all, I keep my boobs with me at all times so there was no delay in eating!!!! Keep going for as long as you like and be proud :o)
I am lucky that Landon is still interested. He doesn’t show any sign of winding down.