When Desmond was five months old I managed to slip away one afternoon with out him. I was a new size again, and I wanted to go shopping. I called my best shopping friend and she took me to the mall, the biggest mall, the one that makes me the most lost ever. It was a cold day, but it felt like spring, and we ran through the parking lot with no jackets on.The reason why I remember this so vividly is because we were talking about breastfeeding. Desmond was almost 6 months and I was proud that I had made it to this milestone. I told her I definitely planned to keep nursing for at least a year ...Maybe even two. She was shocked, but only a little bit. She asked me sincerely, could I handle that kind of responsibility to my child for two ENTIRE years? At the time it seemed overwhelming to me. Five months had felt like forever, already. Could I really make it two years?
This past December, Desmond was 13 months old. We were celebrating Christmas with our extended family and, of course, I was nursing him. I am most comfortable nursing away from my family and, of course, no one said anything to me about it. It was almost laughable how I felt it bubble up inside me, the need to justify it to those around me.
There are so so so many reasons to justify breastfeeding a toddler. More than any one person could spew in a minute or two just to fill awkward silence. BESIDES, I said too loudly, my doctor told me to go all the way to two years old!* --cue nervous laughter and shifty eyes--
The truth is, I don't need to justify it to friends, family, or strangers. I don't need you to like it. I've done the research and I know it is what's best for my son and best for me, and that is all that I need to keep going.
Four hundred and seventy one days of breastfeeding, and no reason to stop now.
So cheers to all the moms breastfeeding toddlers right now, are you reading this blog? How old is your nursling?
*My doctor did recommend we breastfeed until "at least" 2 years old, for a multitude of reasons, but mainly THIS.
My current nursling is 32 months old and we're still going strong! My other two were around this age and a bit older when they weaned, and looking back on those times I'm amazed by how different each nursing relationship has been.
ReplyDeleteI love that you've written about breastfeeding a toddler. I love when this normal, healthy activity is discussed publicly in a society that so often thinks breastfeeding is only for very young babies. When we give a face and a voice to full-term breastfeeding we give support to other breastfeeding families.
I used to be apologetic and embarrassed about breastfeeding my toddlers in front of others. With the support and modeling of other moms, I've grown to a place where I fee confident and proud of this action I can take to positively impact my family's health.
It is totally normal to breastfeed longer than a year. I think it is laughable that some arbitrary number can be thrown around and mothers are told that is what is best. Hahaha!
DeleteI love that you are confident and proud while nursing in public, Kim. I think about your grace and confidence when I'm nursing in situations where I feel nervous! <3
My daughter is 16 months... I checked and she's been nursing for 498 days! WHOOT! :D
ReplyDeleteLove your post. I think it is important to share how NORMAL it is to breastfeed a toddler. And how easy it is to keep going after those first few months. Cheers!
I loved this post :) I've been nursing Zofia for 21 months. My oldest daughter, Athena didn't nurse ON me, but she never had cow's milk until she was 2.5. She's 4 now and still brings me my hand pump sometimes so I can pump some out for her.
ReplyDeleteKeep on keepin' on!
My daughter is 14mo! Thanks for the post. I've outlasted all the other moms at work using our Mother's Room, even the ones who had babies after I did.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it strange to look around and realize you are the last one still standing? Good for you, Mama, do what's right for you and your little one!
DeleteWell zao is 9.5 months as you know, but I nursed haye right until his 4th birthday! 1,461 days!
ReplyDeleteMy son will be three in May and I don't see him stopping anytime soon, I wonder if we will go to four! I would be proud.
DeleteYou are rad. Four years!!
Delete18 months for Benjamin and three weeks for Henry so far.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that bring becomes so much easier and more rewarding after the first year. I found that once it was no longer his main source of nutrition, I could relax and really enjoy the other benefits.
I tool a fair amount of flack for going so long. I just kept citing the WHO code!
I completely agree, I can relax now and know that combining solid foods and breastmilk means my toddler is getting EXACTLY what he needs nutrition-wise, no matter if he chooses one more than the other - and then switches! ;)
DeleteJude is 18 months and I still nurse at nap or bedtime or if he's injured or something drastic. I am working a lot now and it's a great way for us to keep bonding. :-)
ReplyDeleteThx for sharing Farren!!
Thanks for stopping by, Natasha! I love that you are still nursing, too, it can be such a great parenting tool during those "toddler moments" ;)
DeletePlease check this link out:
ReplyDeletehttp://ammakt.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/how-public-should-breast-feeding-be/
Though this happened to me about 10 years back, I am curious to see what you think.
Ahh I love this blog and I love each and everyone of you! My daughter is 10 months...and we are still going strong. My son was 20 months when we stopped and my other daughter was 30 months. I'm from a small town in Iowa....and even tho my immediate family is used to it...my extended family and many friends always feel the need to voice their opinions about when I should stop...as if they have more expertise on the subject as compared to me who is the one actually doing it....reading about it...living it. I appreciate your support ladies!
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