Extended Breastfeeding

Okay...so I'm coming out with it. I know this particular issue is one that gets people talking and one that most people do not understand. I participate in extended breastfeeding. Ceirnan is 28 months old and she still nurses. Yes, she can talk and usually signals that she's ready to go to sleep by saying, "Mama, I want to nurse." Yes, I was one of those people who used to say that a child who can ask to nurse is too old to be doing it. Yes, when I went to the breastfeeding class, I, and almost all the other pregnant ladies in the room, called the trainer crazy. And yes, there are times when even I think it might be a little creepy. There I said it. However, I am glad that I am trying the self-weaning method at least for now.

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for two years or beyond. That is why I knew I wanted to breastfeed my kids for at least two years. I didn't really think I would do it that long though. I figured once the kids started eating regular food, they'd lose interest. Neither one ever did. I know that there are benefits to allowing them to breastfeed longer. With CJ, I waited until he was about 26 months and then just stopped it one night. No warning for him. Little warning for myself. I just said he's old enough to stop now. What made that day different from the day before I do not know, however. He cried for a few nights and it broke my heart, but he survived and so did I.

With Ceirnan, I thought for sure she'd give it up. She's so active and not one who ever wants to go to sleep. Here we are at 28 months though and her nursing time is her favorite part of the day. I think it's partly because it's Mama and Ceirnan time. She gets me alone. I notice this the most when we are in big groups and she grows tired of all the noise. She's whisper in my ear, "I want to nurse." Well, this made me start reading more about extended breastfeeding and approaches to weaning. I started to think that the self-weaning method makes a lot of sense. Why did I up and tell CJ that one day he was my little boy and the next day he was a big boy and couldn't do this anymore? We didn't potty train him like that. We got him used to the idea of the potty and told him (essentially) to follow his bodies cues. It made me realize that it doesn't make any sense to force Ceirnan to stop feeding if she likes it and it's not hurting her.

I also started to look at research that shows breastfeeding for longer does provide benefits for children. Benefits include reduced risks for ear infections, better vision, decreased risk in diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and central nervous system degenerative disorders. It also shows that children who are breastfed longer are more likely to be smarter. (See Dr. Sears article) A professor, Kathryn Dettwyler, who happens to teach here at UD, is an expert on breastfeeding and her research shows that children will naturally wean between 2 1/2 to 7. The research has been fascinating to read. What is more fascinating to me is how few women actually breastfeed. According to the CDC, only 14.8% of women are exclusively breastfeeding at 6 months and only 23.8% of women are breastfeeding at all at 12 months. There is lots of research out there and I am fascinated by the subject. I am particularly interested in why American women choose not to breastfeed at such high rates.

Okay, so am I going to let Ceirnan (or my future children) breastfeed until 7? No, not likely, but I don't see anything wrong with her feeding for a while longer. In fact, I believe I am providing her with beneficial nutrients to support her growth and greatly needed emotional support to help her be independent.