#WorldBreastfeedingWeek2016

It's #WorldBreastfeedingWeek guys!

So I guess it's World Breastfeeding Week this week (Aug 1st-7th). In light of this, let's talk tits and babies and breastfeeding toddlers and beyond!

We all know #BreastIsBest for babies... but what about toddlers and even preschool aged children? There seems to be this ridiculous misconception that after 12 months Breastmilk suddenly ceases to have nutritional value. 0_0 This statement is 1,000% UNTRUE.

W.H.O. Recommends breastfeeding for a minimum of 6 months and up to age 2+. They recommend breastfeeding continue as long as the mother and child want. You heard that right - the World Health Organization supports breastfeeding babies, toddlers, and even *gasp!* children.

"WHO recommends mothers worldwide to exclusively breastfeed infants for the child's first six months to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, they should be given nutritious complementary foods and continue breastfeeding up to the age of two years or beyond." 

(http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2011/breastfeeding_20110115/en/)

Now why in the world would that be recommended? Thats not normal! We all know that societal standards are always right and totally trump science!

No but let's get serious here. Extended Breastfeeding and nursing to Natural Term (child weans when ready) actually is normal - if you're looking at a world view instead of just our (current) society here in America.

And the fact of the matter is - Breastmilk NEVER loses nutritional value. Ever. Studies have shown that Breastmilk actually changes and adapts to suit your growing child's needs. It will even change per time of day, and when your child is sick or in pain. Boobs are seriously badass.

Beyond just food, Breastmilk provides a bunch of other good sh*t. Like this :

And that doesn't cease to be in the toddler years and beyond! In fact, toddlers still get a lot of their nutritional and emotional needs met through breastfeeding.

Many people also believe there is something sexual and innapropriate about breastfeeding a toddler or young child. If you believe this way, I probably can't change your mind because it's clearly already full of nonsense and sealed shut so as to keep out logic, common sense, and new information.

Breastfeeding the way nature intended is not "sexual". The breast is a versitile tool, women are capable of being sexy AND nourishing their young! What a concept! I, personally, have a high sex drive. My partner and I enjoy all aspects of sex - even though I breastfeed! I can tell you right now, it does not feel the same AT ALL with a man sucking on your breasts vs a baby suckling for milk. It's a completely different mental attachment and the human brain is an amazing thing! Your brain can differentiate!

As for "innapropriate".... WHO SAYS? Who decides? You? Me? Joe Schmoe down the street? What's "appropriate" and "innapropriate" is entirely subjective. Societal standards are *gasp* not always logical or correct! Societal trends (ooo I said it!) should NOT dictate whether a mother is allowed to fully nurture her children or not. Point blank. No if's, and's, or but's.

AND SPEAKING OF BUT'S (lol butts) - If you say, "I support breastfeeding but... (insert anything)" you are a BUTTER and should be ashamed of yourself. Your personal opinions... they don't matter. Literally no one cares that your feelers might be hurt because someone decides to do things differently than you think they should be done. You don't get to decide what another woman does with her breasts and how she does it. Breast is best no matter the age, and your ignorance based opinion doesn't change that. Not all opinions were made equal. ;-)

So nurse on mama's with #NoShame! Go forth and be boobfull and #F*ckTheHaters!

Happy World Breastfeeding Week ladies!