When you #breastfeed past the year, people tend to ask you why, and even QUESTION why.
Let's put a stop to this: the same way no one should question a mother's reason to stop earlier and substitute their baby milk designed by nature for formula milk instead, why in the world should we normalize people questioning, and judging breastfeeding mamas who keep going when it works and they love it too (even make them doubt their choices and feel embarrassed by it!?).
Im truly amazed that a something so natural, so beneficial. Something so "standard" in other cultures, recommended by all professionals, to breastfeed until the baby is 2 or more, is now seen as unusual. And moms feel judged and questioned by giving their babies baby-designed milk, but “fit in” if they give them man-made or baby-cow-milk instead!
We simply shouldn’t judge anyone. But please, let’s also normalize nursing past one.
Worldwide, babies are weaned on average between ages 2 and 4. So I am trying to raise some awareness & normalize what’s normal. Allow ALL moms (formula, and breastfeeding mamas) to NOT FEEL JUDGED & feel confident in their decisions.
Here's a bit more info on the topic, and why breastfeeding is best for up to +2years.
TOP BENEFITS OF "EXTENDED" BREASTFEEDING
1. Balanced nutrition. Breast milk is considered the gold standard for infant nutrition. As your baby gets older, the composition of your breast milk will continue to change to meet his or her nutritional needs. There's no known age at which breast milk is considered to become nutritionally insignificant for a child.
2. Boosted immunity. As long as you breast-feed, the cells, hormones and antibodies in your breast milk will continue to bolster your baby's immune system.
3. Improved health (now & future). The longer breast-feeding continues, the better his or her health might be. Lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, less likely to be overweight or obese, and to develop type-2 diabetes.
4. A brain boost. The longer a toddler breastfeeds, the smarter he’s likely to be thanks to the omega-3 fatty acids, or DHA, that are unique to breast milk.
5. Toddler Independence. Rather than making them clingy, nursing will make them more likley to be more comfortable exploring on their own.
6. There are benefits to breastfeeding a toddler for mom too. It can reduce the risk of certain cancers, like breast and ovarian.
PS: before anyone says anything, no, I am NOT saying that if you don't Bf until 2 you are a bad mom or you are doing things wrong. But moms who BF their kids past the year should not be questioned, ever. Period.
Yes, I've surprisingly been questioned too.