Understanding extended breastfeeding

What is extended breastfeeding?

Extended breastfeeding refers to breastfeeding a child beyond their first birthday. Many mothers choose to breastfeed their children well past their first year due to the many health benefits it provides for both mom and baby.

Benefits of breastfeeding

• Maternal health benefits: Breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.
• Strengthens parent-child bond: Nursing supports a deeper connection and provides comfort.
• Emotional regulation for the child: Breastfeeding has a calming effect and helps toddlers regulate their emotions.
• Cost-effective: Nursing offers a budget-friendly alternative to cow’s milk or plant-based milk after age one.
• Nutrient-rich: Breast milk provides a dense source of essential nutrients that support immune function and gut health.
• Protective health benefits: Breastfed babies may have a reduced risk of childhood obesity, ear infections, asthma, allergies, and type 1 diabetes.
• Easy on sensitive stomach: Breast milk is gentle on digestion and more tolerable.

Challenges of extended breastfeeding

• Societal stigma: Breastfeeding a toddler is not widely accepted in some communities.
• Over-reliance for comfort: Nursing is a great tool to help a child self-soothe, but too much dependence can hinder a toddler’s ability to develop self-regulation skills.
• Nutrition imbalance: After age one, most of a child’s nutrition should come from solid foods, including three balanced meals and 1 to 2 snacks. Frequent nursing can reduce a toddler’s appetite for food.
• Separation anxiety: Extended breastfeeding can make it challenging for children to separate from their mothers.
• Physical discomfort: As toddlers grow stronger and more assertive, breastfeeding can occasionally lead to discomfort, with issues like pulling or biting.

Extended breastfeeding tips for mothers and toddlers

• Establish a routine: Stick to a feeding schedule rather than feeding on demand. This prevents nursing grazing and reduces your child’s reliance on breastfeeding for comfort.
• Choose a comfortable setting: If you’re uncomfortable with public breastfeeding, consider nursing at home. Nurse your child in a calm and quiet space to reduce overstimulation.
• Prioritize self-care: Extended breastfeeding is physically and emotionally demanding. Keep yourself nourished by drinking plenty of water, eating well, and continue taking prenatal multivitamins.

Breastfeeding: How to wean a toddler

Your weaning experience will vary depending on your milk supply. Gradual weaning allows your body to adjust over time and prevents engorgement. If you’re pumping, gradually reduce your pumping sessions. A gradual approach can make the transition easier for you and your child.

If you need to wean quickly or if your toddler suddenly stops breastfeeding, pump as needed to relieve pressure. Gradually reduce the frequency and duration of each pumping session to help prevent discomfort and ease the transition.

When to stop breastfeeding

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends extended breastfeeding through a child’s second birthday and beyond, as long as it’s mutually desired by mother and child. You might consider weaning if:

• It impacts your child’s social development, like avoiding engaging in play.
• Breastfeeding interferes with eating solid foods, leading to poor weight gain.
• You become pregnant and have a high-risk pregnancy (twin pregnancy or risk of preterm delivery).  

Ultimately, when to stop breastfeeding is a personal decision, and every family has different needs.

How to wean

Weaning will look different for every mother and child. Many factors come into play, such as the baby's age, whether they are transitioning to formula or milk, and the mother's milk production.

In general, weaning should be a slow and gradual process to prevent breast engorgement. You can begin by reducing each feeding session by 1 to 2 minutes over a few days, and then continue to decrease the feeding time by an additional 1 to 2 minutes every few days. If you are pumping, follow the same recommendation, and gradually reduce pumping time.

Weaning tips for breastfeeding mothers

• Pay attention to your breasts to prevent engorgement and mastitis
• Transition to a feeding schedule rather than feeding on demand
• Create new feeding routines
• Offer warm cow's milk, which feels more like breast milk
• Shower your toddler with lots of cuddles and affection
• Ease breast discomfort with a cold compress
• Wear breast pads in case you have unexpected leaks
• Ensure other caregivers are participating in mealtime