Here is a list of just some of them:
* In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:
o 29% of energy requirements
o 43% of protein requirements
o 36% of calcium requirements
o 75% of vitamin A requirements
o 76% of folate requirements
o 94% of vitamin B12 requirements
o 60% of vitamin C requirements
— Dewey 2001

* Studies done in rural Bangladesh have shown that breastmilk continues to be an important source of vitamin A in the second and third year of life.
— Persson 1998
* The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001).
* Antibodies are abundant in human milk throughout lactation” (Nutrition During Lactation 1991; p. 134). In fact, some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process. (Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991).

You can read more here if you like.

But beyond merely the ‘scientific’ benefits (as if science is the only reason to justify any action) nursing a toddler just rocks. They are so appreciative, they love to snuggle up with you and play little finger games and bond, they truly love to nurse. It’s fantastic for preventing diseases and shortening the effects of illness. I’m nursing my second toddler and we absolutely love it. My first son weaned himself at 2.5 years, and I will allow my son the similar respect of weaning when he’s ready.

I could care less what anyone else does, but for me personally I’m going to stop when my baby can ask for it. I knew this woman who’s three year old would walk up to her and say “Mommy, I want the boobie.” Once again, I don’t care if she does it, but it felt odd to me and I decided it wouldn’t be right for me.

Also, there are no scientific benefits to nursing past two, but many for nursing the first six months. I know many people hold up their own experiences as “proof” that nursing past two is healthier, but many studies have been done on this subject. Everyone needs to do what feels right for them and their baby, not worry so much about what other people are doing and make their own decisions without pushing them on others.

We also tend to forget the feelings of the many women who would love to breastfeed, but can’t when we have these conversations.

Mothers in the animal kingdom wean thier babies on their terms when their young are able to eat food. They practice “parent-led weaning.”

Human mothers in third world countries, yes, breast-feed till 4 or 5, but that is b/c of a lack of nutritious food to give to thier kids. It’s a nessacity, and those children aren’t the picture of health because breastmilk alone is not enough to sustain a toddler.

In our Western culture, nursing past age 2 or so is considered unusual b/c people keep it up as a soothing device, not for nutritional purposes. To me, it is like a 3 year old with a bottle or paci. As a parent, it is up to you to help your child let go of their comfort objects that are meant for babies. It is not any less “natural” to wean your child at age one than it is to do it at age 5. I would argue that somewhere b/t 1 and 2 is the most natural age to wean, whether you or your child decides this.

Thank you Beverly. You don’t have to breastfeed. Period. It’s a personal choice, just as most of you chose to breastfeed, others can easily choose not to and there’s “nothing you can do about it”.

Heather- She might be planning to nurse both kids once the baby comes if Hermes hasn’t self-weaned by then. The practice is actually more common than you may think, and is referred to as Tandem Nursing.

While I am not one to breastfeed I do not have anything against it but a child who is 5 years old is too old to be breastfeeding.

Wouldn’t you think it would be difficult for the 2 year old to want to keep breastfeeding even though he can’t because new baby will get priority when he comes?