| Mother2Mother Services |
| Education and Support for Nursing Mothers |
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| Nursing a Toddler |
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| Last Updated February 2, 2004 |
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| First Page: Are we supposed to wean at a year? Isn't if just for comfort? Doesn't breastmilk stop being nutritious at a year? Are there benefits to the mother? What other benefits are there to the child? |
| Previous Page: When do children naturally wean? I'm not comfortable with the idea of nursing a walking, talking child. How do I handle criticism about nursing my toddler? |
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| Actually, I'm very comfortable with the idea of nursing my child into toddlerhood. Unfortunately, I'm getting a lot of resistance from family, friends, and co-workers. (continued) |
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| This Page: More on handling criticism about nursing a toddler. How do I find a support network for extended nursing? Additional links related to toddler nursing. |
| For some folks, quoting a scientific authority may be helpful. You can quote the AAP, the WHO, the AAFP, or anthropological studies. Other groups that support extended nursing include the American Dietetic Association, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nurses, and on a religious front, the Catholic Church. For other folks, you might simply have to tell them that this is the choice you've made -- end of discussion. Humor is sometimes a good approach also. The more confident you seem to be in your choice to continue nursing, the less likely you are to encounter continued resistance. |
| Handling Unwanted Advice by Elizabeth Pantley Responding to Criticism by Marianne Vakiener The Art of the Respectful Comback from AP Connect! |
| Responding to & Avoiding Criticism about Breastfeeding from La Leche League Responses from KellyMom.com Toddler Tips: Still Nursing from La Leche League |
| And of course, there is always the idea that the rude comment deserves a smart come-back. You may never need to use them -- in fact, you may never want to use them aloud (going on the "more flies with honey" principal). Keeping them in your mind, however, may help put a smile on your face as you face a battle of wits with an unarmed person. |
| How do I find a support network for extended nursing? |
| If you, like many women nursing older babies and toddlers, do not have the good fortune to be surrounded by other women nursing (or who have nursed) older babies and toddlers, you may sometimes feel isolated. It's hard to know where to turn for comraderie, support, and help solving problems with your nursing toddler when those around you do not have their own knowledge base and experience with this issue. One way to make new friends who are nursing older babies and toddlers is to attend some La Leche League meetings. Meetings are monthly, you do not have to be a member to attend meetings, and you can attend as many meetings as you like without ever having to join. Different groups have different personalities; you may not like the first group you attend -- if not, try another. Another option is to get to "know" other women on line. There are several "communities" of nursing moms at different websites, such as this one at BabyCenter.com. While getting to know other moms in person is optimal for support, these on-line communities can still provide useful support. |
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| Do you know of any more links relating to nursing your toddler? |
| Extended Breastfeeding by Kimberly H. Barbas, BSN, RN, IBCLC Extended Breastfeeding: Are There Still Health Benefits? by Debbi Donovan, IBCLC |
| Nursing an Older Infant Index to Articles at KellyMom.com Nursing after the First Year Index to Articles at KellyMom.com |
| Breastfeed a Toddler? Why on Earth? by Dr. Jack Newman Links to Extended Breastfeeding Articles from La Leche League's New Beginnings Magazine |
| Extended Nursing: Breastfeeding Beyond the First Year by Keri Baker Extended Nursing FAQ by Laurie Flanagan |
| You're STILL Nursing? from the Patti at Home Page Nursing a Toddler Testimonials from the Kidz are People Too page |
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