Nursing toddlers

By Anjali

Very recently, I weaned my two-and-a half year old. This mother, who before children, cringed upon hearing stories of mothers who nursed beyond the first few months of life, has now nursed two children beyond the age of two.

For the most part, I found nursing an infant to be an exhausting and unrewarding undertaking. I would crack under the mental stress of knowing that I was my child's sole source of nutrition and comfort (neither of my two would take bottles or pacifiers), and nursing for as long as 40 minutes at a time bored me to tears.

I was then taken by complete surprise when I found myself tearing up at the mere thought of weaning my 10-month-old daughter. 

Soon thereafter, I began meeting more and more women who were still going strong after their nursling's first birthday. They introduced me to all the wonderful benefits of toddler nursing: Terrible twos tantrum? Nurse! Separation anxiety? Illness?  Unexplained irritations with life? Nurse, nurse, nurse! Just as it had been the magic elixir for the woes of infancy, nursing had proved to be just as an effective tool for all of the challenges presented by toddlerhood.

I recently went out to dinner with several other mothers, most of whom I did not know. The subject of nursing was brought up, and the consensus was that when babies are walking and talking, it's time to give up breastfeeding.

I listened to them, thought of all the wonderful memories I have of nursing a child old enough to tell me how much nursing means to her, and smiled. I wouldn't have missed out on toddler nursing for the world.

Anjali Enjeti-Sydow is a suburban Philadelphia mother of two young girls, who is happy to have her chest back to herself.

Comments

[Candi]

My "baby" will be 3 at the end of March, we're not only still nursing and cosleeping... but still nursing all night long I never thought I'd nurse past 6 months, but my daughter had other ideas... then a year was my limit, then 1 1/2 yrs... you get the idea. I myself was nursed until I was nearly four. Sure I haven't slept more then 3 hours straight in... oh almost 3 years, but I also have some of the most amazing memories and sweetest times now that I could only have experienced cuddled next to her in the early morning hours. Yesterday she woke me up by tapping on my shoulder and saying "look mama, it's moring time, mr. sun is out" and then singing a good morning mr. sun song that she made up just then before asking to snuggle some more and have just a quick sip (which always ends up being a good 10+ mins LOL).

[abogada]

My daughter is two years, five months old, and we are still going strong. I was the same way; I never dreamed that we would be nursing for so long. But we both enjoy it. I have a friend who nursed her daughter until just shy of her fourth birthday. I used to wonder how that could happen. Now, I finally understand.

[Patty]

Did you say anything to them about the positives? About the happiness it brought you and yours? Or did you not feel comfortable about it?