Breastfeeding Your Toddler – Benefits Unlimited

Posted by admin on December 31, 2009

It used to be that mothers would only choose to breastfeed their infant children at their first few months or six months at the most. Yet nowadays, an increasing number of women has chosen to continue doing so far longer than six months or even more than they have planned.

Recent years have shown that more and more mothers in most countries around the world have chosen to continue breastfeeding their young children from infancy until 3 to 4 years old. This is now becoming a common sight in most societies where toddlers, as much as their own mothers, enjoy the breastfeeding habit. When mothers and their young children, toddlers in particular, are seen still enjoying this habit, one must not try to stop it.

Before, it was widely believed that after six months of breastfeeding a nursing mother loses her milk’s natural nutrients and should begin to wean her baby from breastfeeding. This is not true at all. Even beyond six months, a mother’s milk still has the valuable protein, fat and other essential nutrients which babies or even toddlers need.

Breast milk, unlike processed milk found in commercial and drug stores, contains natural immune compounds or elements that can protect infants and young children from infections. These elements assist the immune system and other vital organs of a growing child to develop and mature fully well.

Studies among children in day care centers showed that breastfeeding children were proven to suffer significantly decreased levels of severe infections or diseases as compared to those who have since stopped breast-milk feeding. Also, a lactating mother stands to lose a smaller amount of work time if she prefers to continue her breastfeeding once she gets back to her regular work schedule.

So if you are a mother with an infant, it will be one very smart decision if you continue nursing your baby even past his or her six months of breastfeeding. Although many people believe that this is not necessary, breastfeeding will continue to be the best and most natural growth and development supplement for your baby or toddler. There is no better substitute for the health benefits breastfeeding can give you and your child. It is only when you and your child both agree to stop can you then begin to wean your child. No one else has to or can stop you from nursing your child for as long as you both want and enjoy it. The right time can tell you both if and when you feel that you have to stop breastfeeding. For now, just do it – for both your and your baby’s sake.

About the Author:

Abhishek is an expert Baby Shower organizer and he has got some great Baby Shower Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 117 Pages Ebook, “How To Have A Roaringly Successful Baby Shower!” from his website http://www.Childbirth-Guru.com/121/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Breastfeeding Your Toddler – Benefits Unlimited