Extended breastfeeding

Isaac is 13 months old, and still nursing 4 times a day. He still wants to nurse, and hasn't even begun to think about initiating weaning (and neither have I!).

I know many people may think this is strange, especially since (as of yesterday) Isaac has learned how to perform our made up sign for 'snuggle' to request it whenever he wants. Most cultures in the world nurse their infants until they self wean, usually between the ages of 2 and 4. It has many benefits for baby AND mother. See the fact sheet here.

A few of the facts:

• breastfed toddlers are sick less often
• breastfed toddlers have fewer allergies,
• they have higher IQ (including increased reading comprehension, math skills, and scholastic ability, even into adolescence!),
• breastfed toddlers are well adjusted socially (conduct disorders decline with increasing duration of breastfeeding)

And the above list doesn't even include the many health benefits for the mother! I think it's a shame that our culture has grown to think that nursing beyond a year is 'weird', 'unusual', or in some way 'emotionally harmful' for a toddler. Know the facts and pass them on! :)