Breastfeeding After The First Year

Breastfeeding after the baby's first birthday is considered normal and healthy in many countries!

However, some people do not like this practice for cultural or other reasons. So, if you choose to continue breastfeeding for your baby after the first year, be prepared for harsh comments or curious looks.

However, there are significant benefits to continuing it, so don't let others make you stop. Instead, think of the pros and cons, then do what you decide.

Many mothers who want to breastfeed start breastfeeding for six months. Once they reach this stage, they often want to continue. Unfortunately, there are many who never achieve their goal, mostly due to lack of information and support.

The reason why some people do not perceive prolonged breastfeeding is due to two misconceptions:

• the first is that once the baby starts eating solid foods (around the middle of the first year), there is no need for breast milk. This is far from the truth! Most pediatricians recommend that babies do not take cow's milk until they are one year old, so if you wean your baby after six months, then you should still buy formula for at least the next six. Therefore, there is absolutely no point in stopping breastfeeding;
• the second misconception is that once a child's digestive system is ready to handle cow's milk (usually after twelve months) without allergies or serious gastrointestinal problems, there is no reason not to continue with it. But just because most babies tolerate cow's milk well doesn't mean it has any advantage over breast milk.

What are the benefits of breastfeeding?

Although the baby has already switched to solid foods, breast milk still provides calories, growth hormones and valuable vitamins and enzymes for immunity.

It is a very nutritious food for at least the first six months of life. From the 6th to the 12th month, a "mixed diet" is recommended - this means that other foods gradually begin to provide nutritional needs that the milk can no longer provide, and the baby gets used to different tastes and textures.

Breast milk or formula should be the main source of calories until the end of the first year (this means about 75% breast milk and 25% solids). The need for iron increases after the first 6-9 months, so it is good to include foods rich in iron in the second half of the first year.

There is no point in saying that the benefits of breastfeeding disappear suddenly. Breast milk does not turn into water on the night of your baby's first birthday!

It changes its composition to meet the needs of a growing child. An example of this is milk for premature babies, which is different from that of full-term babies. The levels of certain antibodies in breast milk increase as the baby grows - this is a protective mechanism to reduce the risk of illness in young children during the weaning period, when more solid foods are gradually introduced and breastfeeding decreases. Unlike breast milk, formula does not change according to the baby's needs as it grows!

Studies show that breastfed babies are less likely to get sick from their peers on formula.

When a child becomes ill, breast milk may be the only thing he wants to consume. Breast milk protects against dehydration and strengthens the immune system.

Breastfeeding also has a good effect on your health. Compared to women who have never breastfed, breastfeeding women have a lower risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.

As your baby becomes more independent, the time you breastfeed can be an important source of confidence and emotional support. The strong bond you make with each other while breastfeeding will nurture his independence. It will not make you dependent on you, despite the beliefs of some people!

It is believed that early weaning helps the child develop a strong sense of self-esteem and independence. But forcing the baby to stop breastfeeding before he is ready will not give him more confidence - on the contrary, it may even make him more attached to you.

If you travel and spend the night in unfamiliar places, the comfort that your breasts bring to your child may be the best way to alleviate his fears and make him feel safer.

Keep in mind that it is possible for this period of a year or more while breastfeeding to delay your menstrual cycle . This is an advantage for any woman who has been tormented by unpleasant swelling and spasmodic pain. But remember that breastfeeding is not an effective form of birth control, especially after introducing solid foods and reducing the number of breastfeeds.

Prolonged natural nutrition can help keep your weight under control. Some studies show that breastfeeding, combined with a healthy diet and exercise, can keep you in shape for years to come.

What difficulties can you encounter during prolonged breastfeeding?

Mothers who breastfeed older children are often considered strange and this can cause unpleasant remarks.

You could be more discreet about breastfeeding in public if you want to avoid them. This can be difficult if the baby is used to pulling your clothes when he wants to breastfeed.

Difficult weaning after the first year

Many people say that it is difficult to wean a child after the first year. However, if you are persistent enough, you can wean your baby at any time, but you will need to distract him with other foods, drinks, and activities when he wants to be breastfed. Sometimes babies want to be breastfed when they are bored or looking for a way to get your attention.

breastfeeding a young child when another baby is on the road is possible and safe, but for some women it is extremely stressful and tiring.

You can learn more about breastfeeding in a new pregnancy in: " Breastfeeding and pregnancy ".

How can breastfeeding bring you peace and pleasure?

If you are worried about unwanted comments and disapproving looks, breastfeed your child at home before heading to the store or park. Some mothers prefer breastfeeding at certain times of the day.

If you don't care what people think or say, then have ready-made answers when someone asks you the inevitable question, "Are you still breastfeeding?" Sometimes just "YES" is the best brake for conversations. Or, the next time you breastfeed in public and someone asks, "Are you going to stop breastfeeding now?" you can say, "Yes, in about 10 minutes."

If you think that the child wants to breastfeed only out of boredom or to attract your attention, engage him in other ways. Babies tend to explore the world and need stimulation.

Teach your child a code word to use when he wants to breastfeed. So when he wants to eat, and you are in a restaurant, for example, no one will know about his desire.

When breastfeeding after the first year, you should also make sure that your young child eats nutritious, well-balanced meals so that he can continue to grow up healthy. And if your baby is more capricious about food at certain times, don't worry - he will get a lot of valuable nutrients from breast milk.

If you are pregnant and want to continue breastfeeding, be prepared for milk production to decrease as hormone levels change. The amount of breast milk may decrease as your body begins to redirect resources to the developing fetus, and its taste may change. But many women manage to breastfeed a baby and a small child - it just takes more time and energy, so you need to be sure of your choice!

You will find more on the topic of breastfeeding a baby and a small child in: " Tandem breastfeeding - breastfeeding a baby and a small child ".

Cultural expectations

In many parts of the world, children are breastfed until they are 2-4 years old if they are allowed to wean when they are ready.

On the other hand, it is a surprise that in some countries only about 25% of mothers breastfeed for one year. This is definitely due to the lack of support, short maternity leave, lack of flexible working hours in which to breastfeed or pump, or simply the cultural expectation (that the mother should wean the child around the age of one).

Pumping full-time is not easy. The cultural expectation that babies should be weaned for about a year is also quite ingrained. There is no real reason for this, except that there has been an expectation, as bottle-feeding has really been encouraged over the last few generations. Some people perceive the breast as a sexual object, rather than as a part of the body related to the feeding of the child, so it seems strange and disturbing to see an older baby or a small child placed on the breast.

However, this is definitely their problem, not yours! So, do not pay attention to these people and do not get into pointless arguments with them!

One year of breastfeeding is a huge achievement and should be praised. There is more and more talk about the benefits of breastfeeding, and mothers are being informed and encouraged by associations to support breastfeeding.

The benefits of breastfeeding after the first year

So, what are the reasons for breastfeeding to continue after the 1st year?

Breast milk does not change or lose its benefits suddenly after the child is one year old. It is still the most nutritious and balanced food it eats. Also, milk changes its composition to meet the needs of the child as he grows up. Breast milk is constantly changing and provides exactly what the baby needs. This is an incredible advantage that you will not find in the milk bought from the store!

The immunological benefits for the baby continue while you are breastfeeding. In fact, they can be more useful when the baby enters childhood and is exposed to more diseases. Antibodies in breast milk are still extremely useful in diseases. As long as the baby continues to breastfeed, the more common diseases will be milder or shorter.

Many of the benefits of breastfeeding, such as protection against disease later in life, are related to its duration. The longer you breastfeed, the more likely you and your baby are to be more protected.

A huge reason to continue breastfeeding after a year is the close bond that arises between you. In addition, breastfeeding can be a great source of comfort during the transition from baby to toddler.

Leaving the child to wean when he or she is ready will help you avoid unnecessary stress for both of you.

More on the benefits of breastfeeding: " Why breastfeeding is useful ".

The biggest advantage for breastfeeding after the first year

This is the easiest and most enjoyable breastfeeding. You are already set to wean, whether you realize it or not. The baby can only breastfeed three times a day or maybe five times… Or maybe you only breastfeed before going to sleep ...

However, this is the sweetest time in your relationship that breastfeeding creates between you. This is a special time to connect, but it's temporary! Enjoy it and don't worry about what other people think or say! If breastfeeding is enjoyable for you and your baby, you really don't need to stop. The benefits of it last a lifetime!

When to wean is up to you and the child. This decision should be made only by you, although everyone around you will speak competently on the subject. Interestingly, the people who give you the most advice are often the ones who know the least about breastfeeding. The same goes for pregnancy and parenting.

You should breastfeed as long as you want to, without worrying about what anyone else thinks about it (including friends, acquaintances or relatives). Follow your inner feeling and enjoy every minute of your time as a breastfeeding couple. Know that you are doing what is best for the child and for yourself.