Breastfeeding A Toddler

Many moms ask and wonder what is the right age to stop breastfeeding. It is really a choice that is left up to the mom. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that breastfeeding should continue for at least 12 months. Therefore, babies should be breastfed if possible for 12 months. For many moms, breastfeeding is a great way to get a toddler to sleep. Breastfeeding has a calming effect on a toddler. It is also relaxing for the mother as well to breastfeed her child. So, the benefits work both ways.Breast milk is perfect for the toddler's developing immune system. Even when food is added to the babies diet, breastfeeding has many benefits. In fact, for some toddlers, when they get sick they only prefer to breastfeed. They may skip their meals but they want to breastfeed. Of course, the reason may be because they feel comfort in the mother's arms and that is soothing for the child. Breastfeeding is great for a lactating woman. It burns at least 500 calories a day. Therefore, toddlers who are still breastfeeding, help their mother burn off additional calories daily. As far as birth control goes, exclusive breastfeeding helps space out kids.In many parts of the world, this helps a woman out greatly because this is the only form of birth control that they have available to them. Also, delayed menstruation helps with decreased exposure to estrogen which may protect against cancer. Breast milk nourishes the toddler well by providing antibodies to fight illnesses and toughens the immune system to help ward off future allergies. In conclusion, there is a very special relationship between a mother and her baby that provides a loving bond. Breastfeeding is the gift of love that provides this bond.In the end, each mom with the advice of her pediatrician can decide when to wean her child from breastfeeding.