Are you breastfeeding a toddler?

[hannahsmomma]

I usually do not jump in on heated debates, but I did a research paper on the benefits of exstended nursing and there are way to many to list. Of course there are healthy and smart babies who never nursed, but the fact is compared to babies who do nurse, the latter are sick less and usually test better. Study after study has shown this, that is why the American Acadmey of Pediatrics recommends nursing at least a year and the World Health Organization recommends nursing at least 2 years. Of course there are a few women for medical reasons who cannot nurse and then there are women who do not even try and there baies will more than likley be fine, nobody is here to judge how you raise your child, but given the health benefits to both mother and child, I choose to nurse, so don't judge me!
Oh and btw- women who nurse drasticly decrease there chances of getting certain cancers, get back in shape quicker, have less postpartum bleeding, and increased bone density. If you would like to know more info on this you can pm and I would be happy to share any info I have with credible sources to back it up.

 

[shapnic]

Nursing toddlers benefit NUTRITIONALLY
Nursing toddlers are SICK LESS OFTEN
Nursing toddlers have FEWER ALLERGIES
Nursing toddlers are SMART
Nursing toddlers are WELL ADJUSTED SOCIALLY

--sounds just like my kids who never 'nursed' at all! Do you realize what you just did? Exactly what you are accusing the other person of doing - I am not going to post anymore or 'intrude' however I think it needed to be mentioned

totally agree. Never bf. couldnt because of medical reasons. Never judged anyone who did or didnt. It is someones own personal choice. But that statement is very judgemental. My kids were bottle fed and are never sick, no allergies, very smart and socially adjusted. However I know lots of BF babies who are the oppoiste.

 

[carmiedog]

This is a 7-month old DEBATE thread?!? I saw it and all the replies and was excited that there were that many people nursing toddlers here at the DIS.

Anyhow, back to the OP, I'll be nursing my 2yo dd at Disney in April. I'm glad that there will be others, too. However, I'm wondering with all the excitement if she'll actually nurse other than back at the hotel at night. Both her brothers nursed until 5 though so I'm not too worried about her weaning.

 

[hannahsmomma]

This is a 7-month old DEBATE thread?!? I saw it and all the replies and was excited that there were that many people nursing toddlers here at the DIS.

Anyhow, back to the OP, I'll be nursing my 2yo dd at Disney in April. I'm glad that there will be others, too. However, I'm wondering with all the excitement if she'll actually nurse other than back at the hotel at night. Both her brothers nursed until 5 though so I'm not too worried about her weaning.

my ds would get overwhelmed and would often want to nurse as soon as we got on the bus or any place we sat down together like shows and the such. I guess it just depends on their nature.

 

[DVCJones]

First I would like to say that I am a big fan of breastfeeding. I happily BF both DD's. It wasn't easy, however I really wanted to do it

That being said, I understand some women can't/ won't BF. I don't think breastfeeding mothers should judge other moms for not breastfeeding. Also, in the event that a non-breastfeeding mother has a sick child, they should not carry the guilt that they should have BF.

Like a said, I did BF my first DD until she was almost a year. However, my DD was diagnosed with cancer at 6 months old, (doing great now ) had so many ear infections to where she needed tubes. She was also seemed to get whatever was going around (still does). She is 4 now and may have to have another set of tubes put in. On a positive... her Preschool teacher often tells me how "advanced" she is!!!

I BF DD#2 (a preemie) for 6 months. For what ever reason she was not interested in breastfeeding. I was very sad because I knew she was my last and wanted to "milk it" for as long as I could. Even though she also needed tubes in her ears, she seems very healthy. She is in the 100th percentile across the board, smart, and a real bruiser!!!

My point in telling you about my DD's, is that illness can happen in BF babies too. Although I do agree with the benefits of BF. I don't think non-breastfeeding mothers should feel guilty. As mothers we all want what is best for our children. If you have a healthy child give thanks and consider yourself lucky!!!

 

[justhat]

This is a 7-month old DEBATE thread?!? I saw it and all the replies and was excited that there were that many people nursing toddlers here at the DIS.

Anyhow, back to the OP, I'll be nursing my 2yo dd at Disney in April. I'm glad that there will be others, too. However, I'm wondering with all the excitement if she'll actually nurse other than back at the hotel at night. Both her brothers nursed until 5 though so I'm not too worried about her weaning.

My daughter was like this and it actually really got the weaning process underway. Until our WDW trip when she was 13-14 months she was nursing a few times during the day, specifically for naps and such. Once we got there she nursed in the morning when she woke up and then usually not till we got back to the room at night and then throughout the night. I was in pain by the time we got back to the room everynight! Once we got home she didn't have any interest in daytime nursing-just stuck to the pattern she got in in WDW.

 

[DisneyPhD]

This is a 7-month old DEBATE thread?!? I saw it and all the replies and was excited that there were that many people nursing toddlers here at the DIS.

Anyhow, back to the OP, I'll be nursing my 2yo dd at Disney in April. I'm glad that there will be others, too. However, I'm wondering with all the excitement if she'll actually nurse other than back at the hotel at night. Both her brothers nursed until 5 though so I'm not too worried about her weaning.

Not really. It is an old thread, but only recently when people started posting negative remarks did it turn debate like. Before that it has been support and encouragement for women who nurse past the 1st year. No debate, no putting down people who don't nurse.

So not until people who didn't extended nurse started to show up and post negative things did it turn debate like at all. It really puzzles me because I don't quite understand why then even clicked on it to start with, let a lone felt the need to share their opinions. The OP mentioned that in the 1st post, so you don't have to read it all to understand it should not be a debate.

carmiedog, my girls rarely nursed in public after 18 or 20 months or so, maybe even sooner but I didn't keep track. Like just that it was in the morning, and at night (sometimes after nap pr before.) Being away from home it is great to have the comfort of nursing though. It is also great to have the antibodies!

 

[carmiedog]

Not really. It is an old thread, but only recently when people started posting negative remarks did it turn debate like. Before that it has been support and encouragement for women who nurse past the 1st year. No debate, no putting down people who don't nurse.

Oh good. I only read a few of the newer posts and not all 20+ pages. I see it bumped in January after a few months hiatus. Thanks for the bump up!...MOSTLY great thread!

 

[DianeV]

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[brymolmom]

I usually do not jump in on heated debates, but I did a research paper on the benefits of exstended nursing and there are way to many to list. Of course there are healthy and smart babies who never nursed, but the fact is compared to babies who do nurse, the latter are sick less and usually test better. Study after study has shown this, that is why the American Acadmey of Pediatrics recommends nursing at least a year and the World Health Organization recommends nursing at least 2 years. Of course there are a few women for medical reasons who cannot nurse and then there are women who do not even try and there baies will more than likley be fine, nobody is here to judge how you raise your child, but given the health benefits to both mother and child, I choose to nurse, so don't judge me!
Oh and btw- women who nurse drasticly decrease there chances of getting certain cancers, get back in shape quicker, have less postpartum bleeding, and increased bone density. If you would like to know more info on this you can pm and I would be happy to share any info I have with credible sources to back it up.

I don't disagree AT ALL with the things you state and that 'the studies' show these things...but I'm hoping that someone here can show me an unbiased study that proves that it is the nursing that gave this babies those advantages...come on ladies - we live in the real world, we KNOW those who are more likely to extended-nurse and it is RARELY (although I know there will be someone here to who responds that she did it) those who work - those who work a lot (like multiple jobs just to keep food on the table and a roof over their child's head).

There are SO MANY OTHER similarities in nursing mothers that could EASILY contribute a significant amount to those findings. IE: economic situation - less $ may lead to less or lower quality medical care which could EASILY lead to more problematic health issues. In addition - SMART is often contributed significantly by parental education level and parental involvment in the education of their children...here again, most often a parent who is able to nurse for a long time is also able to provide the time and resources to see that their child gets a 'good start' in education at home and in programs, music lessons, etc.

So, just like when I was pregnant and was unable to find any study that eliminated the other similarities and still found the same benefits that were PROVEN to be based solely on the mother's milk - I'm still searching for this information today for curiousity sake and for those who are reading this and not nursing and feeling the obligatory guilt this type of thread produces.

Don't get me wrong - I think breastmilk is a great thing - I just think you're going overboard and ignoring the obvious other benefits many nursing mothers are able to provide to their children in concluding that all of those benefits are tied to the milk itself.

If you are aware of this type of study...please tell.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I don't disagree AT ALL with the things you state and that 'the studies' show these things...but I'm hoping that someone here can show me an unbiased study that proves that it is the nursing that gave this babies those advantages...come on ladies - we live in the real world, we KNOW those who are more likely to extended-nurse and it is RARELY (although I know there will be someone here to who responds that she did it) those who work - those who work a lot (like multiple jobs just to keep food on the table and a roof over their child's head).

There are SO MANY OTHER similarities in nursing mothers that could EASILY contribute a significant amount to those findings. IE: economic situation - less $ may lead to less or lower quality medical care which could EASILY lead to more problematic health issues. In addition - SMART is often contributed significantly by parental education level and parental involvment in the education of their children...here again, most often a parent who is able to nurse for a long time is also able to provide the time and resources to see that their child gets a 'good start' in education at home and in programs, music lessons, etc.

So, just like when I was pregnant and was unable to find any study that eliminated the other similarities and still found the same benefits that were PROVEN to be based solely on the mother's milk - I'm still searching for this information today for curiousity sake and for those who are reading this and not nursing and feeling the obligatory guilt this type of thread produces.

Don't get me wrong - I think breastmilk is a great thing - I just think you're going overboard and ignoring the obvious other benefits many nursing mothers are able to provide to their children in concluding that all of those benefits are tied to the milk itself.

If you are aware of this type of study...please tell.

I guess for me that really doesn't matter.

Not only is breast milk best for the baby, but it was best for me too. I don't like formula, can't stand the smell of the stuff, going in or coming out of the baby. (I never had any as a child, as my mother felt the same way.) I also am not a mix and sterilize bottles type of person. You have breast milk with you, clean safe and ready to go at all times. Just as much as I needed too (I understand supply issues can be hard for some.) It is free! I don't need studies to tell me that.

Also not scientific research, but more then once everyone in the family got sick. Not the nursing baby or toddler. More then once it helped clear up and colds super fast, just minor sniffles when others were very sick. DD also didn't have diarrhea, tummy bugs or vomiting problems until after she started solids. Then if she did have them, she could nurse and that helped clear it up.

I guess I just don't need the studies to know it was the right thing for me. The benefits are great then just having the best nutrition too. There is bonding and attachment benefits too.

For my 1st DD I did work, 20 hours a week. I stopped pumping after the 1st year, but continued to nurse until she was 27 months old. For my 2nd DD I was a SAHM.

 

[Monkeyfeet]

I don't disagree AT ALL with the things you state and that 'the studies' show these things...but I'm hoping that someone here can show me an unbiased study that proves that it is the nursing that gave this babies those advantages...come on ladies - we live in the real world, we KNOW those who are more likely to extended-nurse and it is RARELY (although I know there will be someone here to who responds that she did it) those who work - those who work a lot (like multiple jobs just to keep food on the table and a roof over their child's head).

There are SO MANY OTHER similarities in nursing mothers that could EASILY contribute a significant amount to those findings. IE: economic situation - less $ may lead to less or lower quality medical care which could EASILY lead to more problematic health issues. In addition - SMART is often contributed significantly by parental education level and parental involvment in the education of their children...here again, most often a parent who is able to nurse for a long time is also able to provide the time and resources to see that their child gets a 'good start' in education at home and in programs, music lessons, etc.

So, just like when I was pregnant and was unable to find any study that eliminated the other similarities and still found the same benefits that were PROVEN to be based solely on the mother's milk - I'm still searching for this information today for curiousity sake and for those who are reading this and not nursing and feeling the obligatory guilt this type of thread produces.

Don't get me wrong - I think breastmilk is a great thing - I just think you're going overboard and ignoring the obvious other benefits many nursing mothers are able to provide to their children in concluding that all of those benefits are tied to the milk itself.

If you are aware of this type of study...please tell.

Seriously no snark intended here, but I don't get what you are looking for beyond the studies. Are you bfing a toddler? Are you looking for support?

 

[brymolmom]

Seriously no snark intended here, but I don't get what you are looking for beyond the studies. Are you bfing a toddler? Are you looking for support?

OK - I will try to tell you, but I'm not sure what it is you're asking exactly. As I stated - I am curious whether the 'studies' the pp referred to have really changed all that much since I did the research. When I did, I was unable to find any that could eliminate the many other similar and contributing factors and pinpoint breastmilk as the sole factor responsible for all those great things.

And, again, as I stated, there are some non nursers who are being (they feel at least) attacked by some of the posts...I am trying to show them that all the ammunition stacked against them might have other contributing factors. And, truly, they are not condemming their child to an illness-filled childhood - as really I haven't found a study that didn't prove it was really the economic status of those bf'd kids that leads to the healthier childhood.

Beyond that - I'm not looking for anything. I'm all for anyone who chooses to bf, extended bf, whatever the personal/family choice that is made. I'm also for bottle feeding from the get-go. And I don't want anyone in either ballpark to feel guilt for their choice.

 

[annie1995]

Nursing toddlers benefit NUTRITIONALLY
Nursing toddlers are SICK LESS OFTEN
Nursing toddlers have FEWER ALLERGIES
Nursing toddlers are SMART
Nursing toddlers are WELL ADJUSTED SOCIALLY

--sounds just like my kids who never 'nursed' at all! Do you realize what you just did? Exactly what you are accusing the other person of doing - I am not going to post anymore or 'intrude' however I think it needed to be mentioned

I know of many babies who never nursed who sound like everything mentioned above. What I cannot tolerate are ignorant people who accuse mothers nursing toddlers that they are continuing it for their own emotional health. There is no way someone should assume why you are, or are not doing something. In no way does this compare to what the other statement that nursing toddlers is "gross" and needing to seek therapy. Nothing was mentioned against someone who chooses not to nurse. So please intrude and enlighten me as to where you see a connection.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I remember very clearly the last time he nursed. He fell in the living room and really clocked his head on the fireplace. He was just hysterical - more scared than hurt, I think, really. Anyway, I scooped him up and offered him some "milkies" and in just a few seconds he was done crying and on his way to feeling better. I remember looking at him there so cozy and comfy and thinking, "This is probably it for us." And, it was. He never nursed again after that.

Oh Gem what a great, sweet story. Brought a tear to my eye!
I have always enjoyed hearing about Paul and how well he has done after such a rough start.

 

[flminivanmama]

And, again, as I stated, there are some non nursers who are being (they feel at least) attacked by some of the posts...

I am sorry people feel attacked by scientific research but really this is a support thread for people nursing toddlers (or who have or who plan to) - not a debate thread

 

[hannahsmomma]

Once again, I don't think anyone was putting down someone who chooses not to nurse. It was, from the begninng, the other way around and we are simply defending ourselves. There are a few studies that look just at the milk benefits. Especially in other countries, where not nursing is not really an option, and it is usually the wealtier women who don't nurse. Nursing the first year, even by pumping, can save you on average $2500. I have many friends who work multiple jobs from varying backgrounds and still nursed there babies. Again, nothing against those who for certain reasons could not.

 

[toesmom]

This isn't a debate about bottle vs breast-feeding. This is a thread to support moms who choose to bf their toddlers. I'm not sure why others are even posting.

Unless you've nursed a toddler, you don't understand that many times you don't enjoy having a 2yo standing up grabbing your breast while you are trying to eat. That's just part of the toddler nursing. At the same time, that toddler may fall and scrape his knee on concrete floor... a few seconds of nursing gets rid of those tears in many cases.

And many times the toddler just cuddles up and nurses. That's also a really comforting thing for the 2 or 3 year old. They associate nursing with mom. You know how some kids carry around a pacifier, bottle, favorite blanket, toy, or teddy bear? My kids never did, their favorite thing is my _____.

So many times, moms want to hear the benefits of the extended nursing (and yes there are many). There are not a lot of studies, but every study I've found notes all those things already mentioned:

BF children have higher IQ (sorry it's true) - doesn't mean they all fulfil their potential though

BF children are healthier (in most cases)

BF children are less likely to develop childhood cancers, juvenile diabetes, and for girls pre-menopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer as adults

Moms benefit by having reduced incidents of breast cancer and ovarian cancer as adults

BF children are generally better socially because they do spend a lot of time with mom (I don't think that needs a lot of explanation)

My son is almost 3.5 years and shows no sign of wanting to give it up. When he's ready to stop that's fine. But I'll tell you, he's a healthy boy and in case he ever did get sick, it's not because I didn't try. That's not meant to hurt bottle feeding moms, that's meant to support bf moms.

 

[DianeV]

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[DisneyPhD]

This is what I really don't get here. Why do people fee the need to defend not nursing on this thread? It has been said many times, this is not a debate.

That would be like me coming on the "childless and happy thread" and commenting how it makes me, a mother feel, they are happy to be childless. Or the thread about support for C-sections and me saying how happy I am not to have needed one. It would be out of place and uncalled for. Why do people feel the need every time someone supports breast feeding to chime in "But if you don't that is ok too." When it comes down to it this discussion on Dis isn't about those who don't, it is about those who do.