Toddler Nursing Shouldn't Be Taboo

If anyone would have told me that I would nurse my toddler, I would've told them that they were crazy. There's no way. But, the truth is, I do nurse my toddler. I have a 14-month-old, and he still nurses periodically throughout the day. Usually when he's sleepy, like at naptime and bedtime. How did I end up here, and am I crazy? My answer, is no.

The American Association of Pediatrics actually recommends that babies are nursed until 2 years of age for optimal health. Two years old!! I'm not sure that many people know that, but it's actually recommended for optimal health for a baby. I believe that he nurses mainly for comfort. There are those who balk at me still nursing a toddler, and then there are those who understand.

A person doesn't just wake up one day and nurse a toddler. You nurse them from the day they were born, and you just didn't stop. Obviously, he doesn't nurse as much now. I just didn't have the heart to completely wean him from breastfeeding.

Now, I have a 3 month old, and my husband worried that she wouldn't have enough milk. But, I explained it's all about supply and demand. A woman can make enough milk to feed twins or even triplets. The more a woman nurses, the more milk she created. So, with both of them nursing, I had a constant supply of milk. And, whenever I started to become engorged from my 3 month old not nursing often enough, my toddler gladly stepped right in to get the extra milk.

Many women are ashamed to admit that they still nurse their toddler. People think that it's gross or perverse to see or think of a woman nursing her toddler. Toddlers are supposed to drink an ample amount of milk. Why not breast milk sometimes? It's still full of nutrients and vitamins that children need. My mother nursed my little sister until she was 4 years old. I doubt that I'll go that long, but usually children stop on their own when they are ready. If nursing still gives my little boy comfort, then I will still give it to him. I'm hoping that as he nears 2, that his desire to nurse will wane.

For most American mothers, nursing until a baby is 6 months old is considered great. A year, wow! You've made it. Now you can stop. The thought of going beyond a year doesn't have quite the same acceptance. But, I hope, as more mothers learn of the importance of breastfeeding, and decide to nurse their child until they self wean, that toddler nursing is looked upon as just as natural as nursing a newborn.