04-28-2009, 12:26 AM
Well Ramsey, as a matter of fact, I had this exact same argument with the women in my mommy group a couple of years ago (maybe a bit longer, since I don't think my son was born yet). It turned out that I had to eat my words a little, since I argued that it 'wasn't natural' for a child to be breastfed past a year of age, and that was pushing it.
The women went on to prove to me, beyond a shadow of doubt, that not only is it natural, it's damned healthy for little ones to be breastfed until they are AT LEAST 2 years old, as supported by several medical/health associations, much research which is easily available online and even interspecies comparisons. Up until a year or so ago, I held that although I had to concede about the 2yr span, that anything past that was getting a little gross.
Now, here I am. My son turned two in March and he still nurses. Mostly for his nap and at night, but sometimes still during the day as well. I had vowed to myself that he would be weaned before he was two and I swear, every single time I seriously started the weaning process, he got sick. I don't think it's related in any way, but at least twice in the last six months, the fact that he still nurses has saved him from being hospitalized.
Not only is breastmilk still very high in nutrition, calcium and healthy fats for their growing mind and bodies, but it continues to help their immune system develop. In fact, human breastmilk has many incredible properties which have barely been studied to this point. It can even be used as an antibacterial agent.
He won't be nursing much longer, but I certainly don't feel 'bad' for allowing him to do so this long. I'm happy that I was able to provide this for him and only hope that it helps to give him some small advantage. There are so many perils in this world, I can't help but feel good about any help I have been able to provide him with.
And no doubt, this is my personal invitation to being severely mocked. ::finger::
The women went on to prove to me, beyond a shadow of doubt, that not only is it natural, it's damned healthy for little ones to be breastfed until they are AT LEAST 2 years old, as supported by several medical/health associations, much research which is easily available online and even interspecies comparisons. Up until a year or so ago, I held that although I had to concede about the 2yr span, that anything past that was getting a little gross.
Now, here I am. My son turned two in March and he still nurses. Mostly for his nap and at night, but sometimes still during the day as well. I had vowed to myself that he would be weaned before he was two and I swear, every single time I seriously started the weaning process, he got sick. I don't think it's related in any way, but at least twice in the last six months, the fact that he still nurses has saved him from being hospitalized.
Not only is breastmilk still very high in nutrition, calcium and healthy fats for their growing mind and bodies, but it continues to help their immune system develop. In fact, human breastmilk has many incredible properties which have barely been studied to this point. It can even be used as an antibacterial agent.
He won't be nursing much longer, but I certainly don't feel 'bad' for allowing him to do so this long. I'm happy that I was able to provide this for him and only hope that it helps to give him some small advantage. There are so many perils in this world, I can't help but feel good about any help I have been able to provide him with.
And no doubt, this is my personal invitation to being severely mocked. ::finger::