☆What is Natural Term Breastfeeding?☆
Natural Term Breastfeeding is the act of nursing one's child until the child self-weans. Many people also call it Extended Breastfeeding, and while it is in a sense, it is not. Extended Breastfeeding is the act of nursing one's child past the age of 12 months. The reason Extended Breastfeeding is not necessarily Natural Term is because many still choose to initiate weaning at whatever age they decide to. With Natural Term Breastfeeding, the child initiates weaning on his or her own. The term "extended" also leads to the belief that this is "extra". It is not.
☆Why choose Natural Term Breastfeeding?☆
For one, it is biologically normal. The average Natural Weaning age worldwide is anywhere from age 2 to age 7. This is around the time the "milk teeth" start falling out. Coincidence? I think not!
Breastmilk does not lose its nutritional value at a culturally acceptable age marker. It continues to change to suit your childs needs until they naturally wean. Breastmilk continues to be a valuable source of nutrition and disease protection for as long as breastfeeding continues.
Breastmilk contunues to give a nice boost to the immune system and this extra protection could prove valuable in the first few years of life!
Nursing is an amazing tool *especially* in the toddler years! They get scared - boob. They get hurt - boob. They get overwhelmed - boob. They are tired - boob. They get overheated - boob. They get hungry on the go and you forgot snacks - boob. Boob = Magic. Lol.
The longer you breastfeed, the more benefits to the child... AND MOM! Breastfeeding lowers the risk of certain types of cancer among other things. Its good for everybody!
There are many good reasons to breastfeed until the child stops on their own!
☆What if they don't stop on their own?☆
The worldwide average for Natural Weaning is anywhere from age 2 to age 7. Each individual child has different needs. There is no one size fits all stopping point. But I can assure you - no child nurses forever! Around ages 6-8(ish) children lose their suckling reflex & therefore their ability to nurse sucessfully. So while you may feel like it, this particular fear is unfounded in science.
Side note - Have you ever wondered why what we know as "weaning" tends to be a painful, emotionally upsetting process? Thats because that is not the way it was meant to happen biologically.
Most children by age 3 do not nurse throughout the day. It becomes more of a nap/bedtime habit. Natural Weaning is a gradual, gentle process for all involved. If you would like to go to school to nurse - by all means nurse on mama! But generally by the time they begin school, they are old enough to handle being away from the breast & can definitely handle other forms of nutrition. Your supply will adjust within the first few days. This works for just about everything, though if the child is away for days, there is a chance your supply will drop drastically & could dry up.
No comments:
Post a Comment