I wouldn't DREAM of weaning her. She's so small, barely speaks English and gets over 75% of everything she needs from my milk, including immunity. She's still a baby.
In fact, I still breastfeeding my 3-1/2 year old. I weaned him on his 3rd birthday, but then he lost weight and got sick every other week. After 2 months, I started breastfeeding him before bed and during illness, and now his eyes have lost their dark circles and when he's sick he gets over it faster. I could just put milk in a sippy cup for him, but he didn't like it. He really missed the extra contact. Also, now he falls asleep in ten minutes again like he used to instead of needing a long bedtime routine that often fails.
Am I damaging my preschooler by breastfeeding him? Am I robbing him of much needed growing? The world's average age for weaning is 4. I'm going to wager the answer is no.
Scroll to the bottom of the pictures for links to other bloggers participating in this theme for the breastfeeding carnival.
The joys, humor and struggles of nursing a toddler by Mallory
This is what nursing a toddler looks like by Seagal
Nursing a (and around a) toddler creates cute stories! by Melissa
Comfort in sick times by Heather
I never thought I'd nurse a toddler by Destiny
Nursing a toddler in a ring-sling by Annie
The pros and cons of breastfeeding a toddler by Melodie
Nursing an older toddler by Mommy Bee
My nursing toddler story by Sam
Beautiful at any age by Maria
This is what a nursing toddler looks like by threegirlpileup
This is what toddler nursing looks like by Denise
This is a nursing toddler by Desiree
Love those nursing eyes! So cute!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love the name of this blog. Although, I feel like my whole life is a controversial place, because I can't stop talking about the stuff I love...which happens to be controversial.
Good for you for being a confident doing-what-best-for-your-kids kind of mom. I think extended nursing is great. Great post.
ReplyDeleteAww Deeda is so cute! I need some pics like those!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this! I will post mine on my blog, as well. http://gazeintotheheavens.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteSo cute! :) We nursed til she decided it was only for the baby brother at 27 months.
ReplyDeleteDesiree, I added your link!
ReplyDeleteI'm still breastfeeding at 18 months too and loving it. Not planning on stopping anytime soon either!
ReplyDeleteI love the close up photos.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late to the party but I joined in too! http://fatsinglemom.blogspot.com/2009/05/breastfeeding-toddlers.html
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to my Carnival contribution. I am still finding all the contributions. :) http://blog.jakemarcus.com/2009/05/14/this-is-what-a-nursing-toddler-looks-like/
ReplyDelete(yes, I'm anon) I'm still feeding my three and a half year old, and {gasp} my six and a half year old. They both come snuggle in my bed in the morning. Eight and a quarter years b/feeding thus far. Still counting. Yikes, it looks kinda scary out there in the real world.
ReplyDeleteHi Anon,
ReplyDeleteI can relate to your statistics.
My middle one tandem nursed with his older brother and younger brother. Six years old plus is the weaning age in my house and that adds up to over 12 years total.
We are the normal ones!
I take my hat off to both of you! We're on our way there, I think...
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to make more comments and share more links but we're in the middle of packing for a move, so if I haven't posted your link yet, be patient!