ARE BREASTFEEDING TOODLERS MORE DEPENDENT?

There may be external pressures or questions about weaning. Some experts deem the breastfeeding toddler, who is not weaned, as dependent. So does breastfeeding cause toddlers to be dependent?

Our culture has grown to be fixated with early independence for children. If a need is met, it goes away. If a need is unmet, it remains. Often society pushes children to become independent before they are ready anyway. It seems that it's the anxious, clingy children that have been pushed into situations requiring "independence" too early. The more a child is pushed away, the more they tend to cling. A breastfeeding toddler is having his dependency needs met. Don’t worry. Children usually wean themselves between the ages of 2 and 4 years, and are typically extra independent, and extra confident in their independence. The breastfeeding toddler receives comfort and security from the breast. Breastfeeding helps a toddler feel good about himself, because his needs are being met. The toddler who is allowed to test things for himself, at his own pace, and when he is ready discovers self-confidence and self-worth and it flourishes! 

Benefit for mothers

More and more women are now breastfeeding their babies, and more and more are also finding that they enjoy breastfeeding enough to want to continue longer than the usual few months they initially thought they would. As a mother, you recognize your children's needs, you enjoy the closeness, you want to offer comfort, and there are even important health benefits.

The natural child-spacing result of breastfeeding may possibly continue throughout the baby's second year. While breastfeeding alone is not a reliable means of birth control, extended nursing in some women suppresses ovulation and delays the return of fertility.

Not all mothers will view this as a benefit especially if you are anxious to get pregnant again. In some cases, even infrequent breastfeeding is enough to prevent pregnancy and a nursing mother who wants to get pregnant may face tough decision about extended breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and endometrial cancer.

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis and has been found to protect against osteoporosis.

Breastfeeding moms have a tendency to lose weight easier which is a proven health benefit for preventing obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and illnesses related to being overweight.