Breastfeeding a Toddler

Cubby literally just turned 1 and I’m already hearing “when are you planning on stopping?” So...let’s look at the facts 👀 

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Both The American Academy of Pediatrics & the World Heath Organization “recommends breastfeeding for no less than 6 months & continuing to breastfeed with the introduction of solids until at least 1 year old.” After 1 year, the AAP suggests continuing to breastfeed “as long as it’s mutually desired by both the mother & child.” Even with that info “only about 36% of infants aged 0–6 months worldwide were exclusively breastfed over the period of 2007-2014.”

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In Nov 2017, WHO, along with UNICEF, released new guidelines & info, including the following - “Breast-milk is also an important source of energy & nutrients in children aged 6–23 months. It can provide half or more of a child’s energy needs between 6-12 months, & one-third of energy needs between 12-24 months. Breast-milk is also a critical source of energy and nutrients during illness, & reduces mortality among children who are malnourished.” 💪🏼 ____

And malnutrition & poor eating habits is a worldwide issue - “Few children receive nutritionally adequate & safe complementary foods; in many countries less than a fourth of infants 6–23 months of age meet the criteria of dietary diversity and feeding frequency that are appropriate for their age.” (WHO) 🤭

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When a mama chooses to breastfeed past 1 week, 1 month, or even 1 year, she’s on a side of science, health, & love. She’s not being selfish, she’s not spoiling her child, & I swear to gawd if you try to sexualize this...🤬 This isn’t a mama that deserves to be shamed & shoved in a bathroom & this isn’t a mama that deserves side eye because her child WALKED up to her to be fed. This is a mama that deserves support, that deserves a smile & a thumbs up and a “you’re pretty amazing!” Just like EVERY mother who feeds their baby, this mama is making the right choice for her and her child. So yes, Cubby is now a toddler but he’s also got a lot of growing to do & if continuing to breastfeed him helps him to do that, we’re not stopping. Maybe we’ll even make it to 2 years 🙌🏼