Benefits of bfing beyond 1 year?

Hi. Jake is still quite young so I know I've got a while to work on this one! The thing is I think I am going to be quite happy feeding Jake for up to around 4 years (If he still wants to and providing I can deal with the dreaded teeth). However, whilst my partner is very supportive of me bfing, I don't think he would be for this long. I'm sure he expects me to give up when hes 1, although I admit I haven't really discussed it with him for fear of what he might say. So can anyone prepare me and give me some facts of the benefits of breastfeeding beyond 1 year? He's a typical man and likes facts (lol) x

:boob: i just wanna say well done if your planning on carrying on till around 4 yrs old.. wow i dont think i could.. im planning on trying to at least 1...

good luck in getting some answers from the more experienced bf'ers :aww:

The WHO ( World Health Organisation ) recommend you Breastfeed for at least two years.

Here are some great facts from Kelly mom, on the benefits for breastfeeding beyond a year.

"Human milk expressed by mothers who have been lactating for >1 year has significantly increased fat and energy contents, compared with milk expressed by women who have been lactating for shorter periods. During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet might be significant."

"Breast milk continues to provide substantial amounts of key nutrients well beyond the first year of life, especially protein, fat, and most vitamins."

In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:

29% of energy requirements


43% of protein requirements


36% of calcium requirements


75% of vitamin A requirements


76% of folate requirements


94% of vitamin B12 requirements
60% of vitamin C requirements

Nursing toddlers are SICK LESS OFTEN

Nursing toddlers have FEWER ALLERGIES

Nursing toddlers are SMART

Nursing toddlers are WELL ADJUSTED SOCIALLY

The rest of the articles can be veiwed on www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html+why+breastfeed+for+two+years&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=uk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kelly mom

lol that should shut him up!!

up to the age of 2.. eekkk... i'll see how long i can stand it for.. haha

Thanks for that. Its really helpful. Now I just have to broach the subject! x

good luck hun.. :aww:

Not a problem :aww:

I would recomend a book called "Mothering your Nursing Toddler"

I read it when my baby was approaching a year and used to read bits out to my husband as I went along!

I found it really useful for deciding when to wean.

Best wishes

Nichola

maybe you should wait and see how long he wants to feed for rather than putting a timescale on yourself of 4 years he may suddenly or gradually self wean at 2 years or sooner

Hi, dont know if anyone is still reading this thread, but I found as we got to 6 months, when lots of people stop, I still loved it and couldn't think of any reason to stop. Now at 8 months we're still going strong although Rhianna has a lot less now she's eating, loving BLW, so its just got easier. After a long day at work I love sitting feeding her to sleep in my arms, I could quite happily carry on this bit for years. Not too sure how I'd feel about feeding a toddler in public, but we'll see what happens when we get there.
Mary

Yes I felt the same after 6 months! I would like to continue going until she feels ready to stop.

:aww:

I feel the same - found BF much harder this time than with my first but since I reached the 6 month mark I am really enjoying it and so does Emily - I am in for the long haul now. :boob:

Jake has just turned 7 months now and still loves his breast feeds, though there aren't so many in the day now and they don't last as long. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to put either myself or Jake under any preassure to continue feeding, but at the moment I think we both enjoy it so much we will end up feeding for over a year. The problem is that on his 1st birthday I think my family and freinds are all going to expect me to stop, and I really don't think thats going to happen. However if either myself or Jake decide we want to stop breastfeeding tommorrow then I still know I've done really well to breastfeed for as long as I have x

Thats a great attitiude to take Polly - keep up the good work!
I'll be coming to you for tips soon lol!b

:aww: Yes Polly, you have done very well!

Stop when you both want to and not before :boob:

I think you are quite clear that you want to continue to bf so please dont let your family/friends persuade you from doing what you want to. You have a fabulous attitude towards breastfeeding and I wish you all the luck in the world. x

hi everyone
im new on here. I breastfed my daughter until july she was 25 months we loved it so much, im now 15wks pregnant and intened to bf this one for as long as he/she wants to.Its thebest experience ever!!!!

xx

well done brooksmummy.. Im hoping to :boob: as long as possible

Brooksmummy, well done!
I hope it will work well for your new baby too! :boob:
Def.best gift baby can get from mother!

kasia80 wrote:Brooksmummy, well done!
I hope it will work well for your new baby too! :boob:
Def.best gift baby can get from mother!

Absolutly :aww:

kasia80 wrote:Brooksmummy, well done!
I hope it will work well for your new baby too! :boob:
Def.best gift baby can get from mother!

So true well done! :aww:

Hi, well done and welcome. its so nice to hear a mummy and baby loving it so much
Can I ask how much did you feed after about a year or so? Did she still get lots of milk from you, or was it more a morning evening cuddling thing?
Mary

brookesmummy wrote:hi everyone
im new on here. I breastfed my daughter until july she was 25 months we loved it so much, im now 15wks pregnant and intened to bf this one for as long as he/she wants to.Its thebest experience ever!!!!

xx

at 1 she was having it on demand still i cut out daytime feeds at 16 months then she only had it after her bath and before she got out of bed in the mornings. must say she did have some early baths and long lay ins lol

bless, i can imagine :boob:

Sounds wonderful :boob: