The world wide average age of weaning is around four years old. In Western culture however, one year seems to be the magical moment in time that turns the natural act of providing comfort and nourishment of your child into a debatable issue. Why is it that most pediatricians, main stream parenting literature and our culture at large have decided that mothers should wean their babies by the age of one?

Often the reason given is that at one year old, many children can tolerate drinking cows milk. This overlooks the fact that breastfeeding provides more than simple nourishment. I believe that it is more complicated than that. Our culture has become overly obsessed with early independence for babies and breasts have become sexualized causing many people to "forget" that breasts were meant to nourish human babies. These and other issues have contributed to the downfall of extended breastfeeding in Western culture.

On a positive note, the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends breastfeeding for at least 12 months, and for as long after that as "mutually desired." I hope that an increasing number of pediatricians will acknowledge this position and promote child led weaning. Numerous studies have proven the continued benefits of breast milk and breastfeeding beyond the first year, and countless breastfeeding mothers can testify to the emotional benefits of nursing their children beyond the first year. When your baby's first birthday rolls around and people (including perhaps your pediatrician) start asking you when you are going to wean, think carefully about it. Don't buy into the "you must wean at one year" myth too hastily. If you and your child are both still enjoying the closeness of breastfeeding, why give it up?

The Benefits of Nursing Beyond One Year Nursing Rules Discipline for nursing toddlers? What if I Want to Wean My Baby? A wonderful affirmation for those who choose to let their child initiate weaning Nurse a Toddler....Why on Earth? Article by Dr. Jack Newman Please come discuss your experiences nursing your older baby or child in the Parentingweb Forums Other Internet Resources: Use your browser back button to return to Parentingweb. Nursing a Toddler A large collection of articles from Nurturing Magazine Online LLL articles on Extended Nursing

The Benefits of Breastfeeding After A Year
Breastfeeding continues to provide health benefits to babies after one year. Despite myths to the contrary, your breast milk still contains antibodies, provides immunity, and is nutritionally rich. Although the vast majority of toddlers will be eating a well rounded diet, breastfeeding provides a nutritional boost to picky eaters, children that are severely allergic (and thus can't eat a wide variety of foods) and sick children who can't keep down solid foods. I look at it like a natural vitamin supplement for my nursing 2 year old. She eats a wide variety of healthy food so I know she is not at risk nutritionally, but I like the fact that she is getting a bit of a boost from breast milk....no vitamin pills needed! It has been demonstrated that breastfed toddlers have fewer illnesses. When they are sick it is for a shorter duration and they generally require less medical care than their peers who are not breastfed.

Breastfeeding also provides security and comfort for toddlers. By continuing to breastfeed until your child is ready to wean helps ensure that her dependency needs are being met, thus providing your child with optimal emotional growth. Parents, and many experts, have noticed that the children whose emotional and dependence needs have met fully during early childhood, tend to be the children who are the most indendent and emotionally secure when they are older. Child-led weaning helps build trust between parent and child, allowing the child to develop independence at her own pace.

Continuing to breastfeed can enhance the relationship between mother and child. Because your nursing toddlers needs are being met, she will feel better about herself and thus tend to accept discipline more easily. Nursing eases frustration and smooths over many of the tough transitions that a make up a toddlers life. You may find that your nursing toddler rarely has temper tantrums or, if he does, that they are easily "tamed". This particular benefit depends on the other aspects of your parenting style as well as your toddlers individual temperament. Breastfeeding also provides calm, quiet moments that are restorative and de-stressing for both you and your toddler. It can be a wonderful way to maintain your connection to your toddler if you must work.

As long as you are both enjoying breastfeeding, don't be in too big of a rush to give it up.