Why Do You Nurse A Toddler???

Happy Mommy, Happy Toddler, Still Nursing

With my first daughter, Lisa (now 6 years old), I was very analytical about the whole process... justifying why we did or should against my fears that I would be nursing a "big kid." Each year, the definition of a "big kid" was the following year. I continued to nurse her longer than I ever expected. And if you ask why I did and how I managed, well all I can say is that the book Mothering Your Nursing Toddler is right. That as they get older, the breastfeeding is easier and more negotiable. As they get to ages where the general public (or relatives and some friends) would be horrified, they can accept progressively longer waits, such as till we go in the next room (for a 2 year old), till we go to the car, or till we get home... what ever. I remember when I made the rule for my 3 year old that we would not nurse at friend's houses. The rule was easily accepted. Now some moms prefer not to limit their child's breastfeeding as a way of educating others. But if a mom wishes to keep their breastfeeding a private matter, the older toddler can help keep the secret. Especially if a code word is used such as nummies for the request to nurse. Boobie juice would be a hard secret to keep, so if you want your nursing relationship to be private, it helps to use a code word with your toddler. One reason that it is easier as the child gets older is that for an infant, breastfeeding is a very large part of their whole world. As a child grows, especially when you are out, there are so many wonderful interesting things going on, that they prefer to be doing as opposed to nursing most of the time.

But now, with Crystal, the breastfeeding is so natural and easy that I don't give it much thought. We nurse when she wants to nurse, that's all. She eats and drinks, pretty much a normal toddler diet, which to most adults doesn't seem very normal! She isn't much of a day nurser, but has always made up for it at night (she's been like this all of her life) and this is fine with me. My first daughter was always asking to nurse during the day and, as a toddler, nursed hardly at all at night. Each style has it's advantages.

I have been down this road once before, and just like all of the other stages, I know that this one will end some day. I would like the end of this stage to be as gentle, beautiful and loving as the opening of a flower.

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The image of nursing toddler is copyright 1997-98 Lori Thompson Photography. Used by permission.
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Nursing a Toddler
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