If your spouse has been breastfeeding, she can safely continue to do so well after your baby has upgraded its status to toddler-hood. Though generally frowned upon, extended breastfeeding actually benefits your child even at this age.
Before you decide on whether your spouse should extend breastfeeding or not, you may want to weigh the pros and cons of extended breastfeeding:
The pros
- Milk from the breast provides the right amount of calories, vitamins, and enzymes that your toddler requires for proper growth.
- Breastfeeding provides the emotional support that your toddler requires at this age.
- According to studies, breastfed toddlers fall sick less often than those who are not on breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding is a convenient option of feeding your toddler when you are traveling with little or no means of availing other solid food.
The cons
- Others may consider breastfeeding in public strange and your spouse may have to come across rude remarks aimed at her supposedly uncivilized behavior.
- Breastfeeding a toddler is generally not as smooth an affair as breastfeeding a baby. A toddler is much more vibrant than a baby is and as a result, your spouse may have a tough time breastfeeding your toddler—especially in public.
- Your toddler may get over dependant on breastfeeding, which would not be healthy. You need to ensure your toddler appreciates other solid food as well and does not rely on simply breastfeeding.
- If your spouse is expecting another baby or has another baby to nurse as well, breastfeeding your toddler may be physically taxing for her.