Long-term breastfeeding is harmful to the breast. Arguments for long-term breastfeeding

Mikhnina A.A.

Breastfed after 2 years - my youngest son

In this article I would like to discuss a rather controversial question: should you breastfeed your baby for as long as possible? What are the risks of long-term lactation?
Let me warn you right away that there is no clear answer to this in modern medicine. There are camps of opposing opinions, but in general the prevailing maxim is that this issue remains at the discretion of the nursing woman herself, depending on her personal beliefs and state of health. Neither psychologists, nor pediatricians, nor therapists, nor gynecologists have sufficient scientifically proven arguments either for or against. There is research-confirmed data on the composition of breast milk in different periods of lactation, on the basis of which, in fact, the main conclusions of supporters of long-term breastfeeding are drawn. But far-reaching conclusions about the higher intelligence of breast-fed children or their obvious health benefits in adulthood are not supported by serious research, and, in my opinion, cannot be proven. Still, genetics is primary.

There are official WHO recommendations to continue breastfeeding children up to 2 years of age and longer link, there are research results confirming the benefits of long-term lactation for a woman’s health. In particular, the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and osteoporosis is reduced (link to study in Russian) link1

All that remains is to choose which of the reasoned concerns of the camp of opponents of long-term breastfeeding or, conversely, the calls of its supporters are close and understandable to you personally and are most consistent with your model of motherhood and general attitude towards health issues.

Likewise, there is no clear concept of how long breastfeeding is considered “normal” and physiologically conditioned. People today are far enough from nature to be guided in such matters by natural needs or instincts, which are often dulled.
In popular journalism, long-term lactation is considered to be breastfeeding after the baby reaches the age of 12 months. In the public consciousness, this line, oddly enough, has been pushed back a little further. Many tend to agree that there is nothing prejudiced in breastfeeding a child under 2 years of age. However, in some medical sources and studies (Scientific research by Katherine A. Dettwyler, PhD shows that 2.5 to 7.0 years of nursing is what our children have been designed to expect (Dettwyler 1995), etc.) I also found figures such as 4 years of continuous breastfeeding of one child, as normal options. The study shown in parentheses looked at children who received breast milk until they were 7 years old!

The most common arguments in favor of breastfeeding for as long as possible:
- maintaining a close psychological connection between mother and child
- satisfying the child’s psychological need for calm by sucking
— replenishing the deficiency of calcium and various microelements in the child’s diet (the mother eats more varied foods if the baby is not allergic, but children themselves often do not eat complementary foods well)
— receiving with mother’s milk her immune complexes, which support the child’s own unformed immunity ( This is also true for babies older than one year: Lawrence RA and Lawrence RM. Breastfeeding: A Guide for the Medical Profession, 7th ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 2011, p. 153-195. See particularly Table 5-2 on p. 164: “Concentration of immunologic components in human milk collected during second year of lactation”)
- the benefits of long-term lactation for a woman’s body

The most popular arguments against:
- excessive dependence of the child on the mother is formed (even sometimes they talk about the mother’s manipulation of the baby’s feelings and artificially tying him to herself and inhibiting natural development (including the phase of separation from the mother and awareness of one’s own “I” at a certain age))
- a prerequisite is created for possible sexual deviations in the child in the future (some even see some kind of debauchery in the mother’s behavior)
- not decent from the point of view of public morality (it is worth mentioning here that this point can be considered in the case of feeding children in crowded places).
- there is no longer anything beneficial for the child in milk (sometimes it is argued that it is even harmful. One can agree provided that the mother’s diet is completely unhealthy, she uses medications, or she has bad habits).
- the mother greatly harms her health (risk of mastitis, demineralization of bones and teeth, hormonal characteristics of lactation, additional psychological stress from complete attachment to the child), without bringing any benefit to the baby

Since I didn’t find anything concrete and proven about the harm of long-term lactation for a woman or the poor quality of breast milk, as well as psychological trauma for an older child as a result of long-term breastfeeding in serious modern medical literature, I personally decided for myself that breastfeeding my son is convenient for me . Therefore, I will continue this until my son refuses on his own (he really loses the need to suck), or some signals from my body in the form of deteriorating health or serious life circumstances force me to forcibly stop breastfeeding.

In addition, after analyzing my child’s diet and potentially narrow areas in it from a qualitative point of view (richness in vitamins, proteins and microelements), I found the following arguments in favor for myself:

1) My son does not like fish, practically none and in any form. Due to his age (at the time of writing this article he is 1.4 years old), it is not yet advisable to give him fatty foods (fatty fish, cod liver, fatty meat). Therefore, in his diet, according to my estimates based on tables of nutritional value of foods, there is a lack of fat-soluble vitamins A and E, as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids. So far, I cannot expand the child’s diet to a complete diet: allergic reactions + difficulties with introducing new products (conservatism of children’s habits).
But I can enrich my diet, including by taking vitamin complexes and Omega-3 capsules. He will receive some of these substances the baby needs through my breast milk.
2) I don’t give my son sugar. He gets it in small amounts from fruits (in the form of fructose) and baked goods. I don’t give my child any cookies, candies, sweet drinks, jam or sugar for porridge, or commercially sweetened porridges or curds. I consider sucrose, in principle, harmful both for teeth (risk of caries) and for the development of the endocrine system.
But sugar (or rather, glucose!) is necessary for the body, especially children, for normal nutrition of brain cells. I also deliberately refuse to feed my baby a bun, from the starches of which he can easily and in sufficient quantities obtain glucose, in order to form healthier food habits.
And the solution for me is breast milk, which contains lactose - a sugar that has been proven harmless to teeth and is a regulator of calcium absorption in the body. One continuous benefit for the child.

In general, for now, my son and I plan to continue breastfeeding until his second birthday.
If you have ideas and arguments regarding longer periods of breastfeeding, or vice versa, you are ready to argue against it, welcome in the comments!

Currently, after the publication of the latest WHO recommendations on breastfeeding, “long-term feeding” is commonly referred to as breastfeeding after two years.
Long-term feeding is a very complex topic, causing a lot of contradictions and even confrontations in society.
Of course, every mother decides for herself how much to breastfeed..
And for those for whom long-term feeding is clearly suitable, there are a number of serious arguments to justify their position in front of society, which continues to debate about the timing of breastfeeding, remaining critical of long-term breastfeeding.
The wording of the WHO/UNICEF Early Childhood Feeding Strategy document emphasizes that breastfeedingCAN be continued for more than two years. Proponents and opponents of long-term feeding have many arguments that can allow conclusions to be drawn regarding the benefits of breastfeeding after the age of two.
Let's look at typical e contradictions:

Nutritional value of milk for a child over 2 years old
Opinion AGAINST: Breast milk has no nutritional value for a big baby, there is nothing in breast milk anymore, it is not food, it is just pampering
Opinion FOR:
Scientific research proves that even after two or more years, milk remains a valuable source of proteins, fats, enzymes that break down proteins and fats in the intestines; hormones, vitamins and microelements that are quickly and easily absorbed.
The content of vitamins and microelements in human milk may vary depending on the needs of the child and may increase with the age of the child. For example, when breastfeeding in the second year of life, the baby is protected from a deficiency of vitamin A, which is necessary for the normal formation and functioning of eyes, skin, hair, as well as vitamin K, which prevents bleeding. In addition, human milk contains an optimal amount of iron, which is very well absorbed in the baby’s intestines and prevents the development of iron deficiency anemia.
Scientists have calculated that if a one-year-old child receives 500 ml of breast milk per day, then his daily energy needs are met by a third, protein by 40%, and vitamin C almost completely.
Coverage of substance needs in numbers:
29% energy requirement
43% of protein needs
36% of calcium requirements
75% of vitamin A needs
76% of folate requirements (folic acid derivatives)
94% of vitamin B12 needs
60% of vitamin C needs

The vast majority of mothers are confident that the harm of long-term breastfeeding significantly outweighs its benefits. Guided by this belief, many mothers wean their children after a year and a half. Moreover, often children and mothers themselves experience this process painfully. Let's try to figure out what the optimal duration of breastfeeding is.

As a rule, if the mother managed to establish breastfeeding at the beginning of this process and maintain it for up to six months, then no further problems arise. But closer to a year and a half, the mother is getting ready to go to work, the baby is being prepared for kindergarten. And here the question of weaning arises. Moreover, what primarily requires attention is often not taken into account: “Is the baby ready for this?” After all, for a mother, a violation of her usual way of life and feeding rhythms causes stress (and she is an adult!). What is it like for a child?

To understand whether the baby himself is ready to wean, pay attention to the following. Can a baby fall asleep without mother's milk? Did you have a positive experience of falling asleep without your mother - with your grandmother, father, nanny? Can a baby calmly, without hysterics, stay overnight at a party (for example, at grandma’s?). Does your baby often breastfeed at home? Can you come to an agreement with your child and not feed him in front of guests, on the street, or in public transport? If your answers are positive, then the weaning will go smoothly and will not cause any stress to the baby. But if not, you need to learn more about the specifics of feeding a baby after a year and a half, about methods of combining mother’s work, kindergarten with breastfeeding. Then you will act as wisely as possible, focusing on the real needs of your beloved baby. The main principle here is “Do no harm!”

It is noteworthy that we have many myths associated with the duration of feeding. For example, you can often hear about the dangers of long-term breastfeeding for boys. They say, for example, that if a grown-up baby continues to feed from his mother’s breast, he receives an excess of female hormones, which in the future can provoke a tendency towards homosexuality. In fact, WHO (World Health Organization) studies have shown that breast milk is always optimal in composition for a child’s given age. Therefore, there is no need to talk about any excess of hormones. And long-term feeding (if properly organized) is equally beneficial for both boys and girls. What is its use?

The main benefit of long-term breastfeeding is tangible support for children's immunity. After all, after one and a half years, the so-called involution of milk occurs. In its composition it is close to colostrum. Yes, and outwardly it is noticeable. If you express even a drop of milk during this period and examine it, you will notice that its color is not whitish or deep white, like mature milk from a nursing mother. It is grayish in color and liquid and watery in consistency. Essentially, it is diluted colostrum. Well, I write a lot about the benefits of colostrum now, so there’s no point in talking about it specifically. So think about whether you need to voluntarily give up such noticeable support for the child’s body. Moreover, if the baby has to get used to kindergarten (stress!), encounter infections in the children's group, adapt to them (and this is a serious test of the baby's immunity!).
Well, if the benefits of prolonged breastfeeding are so great, can you tell me whether it can be combined with the mother going to work and the baby visiting the kindergarten? Of course you can! To do this, it is important to follow a number of rules.

1. It’s good if, long before going to work, the mother leaves the baby for a short time, leaving him with a person he knows well - a grandmother, a friend, a nanny. You can leave starting from 4 months (for an hour or two). After six months you need to go away - preferably 1-2 times a week for two to four hours. After a year or a year and a half (depending on the child), you can go away for 6-8 hours twice a week.
2. Teach your baby after a year that we eat milk not wherever he wants, but at home, in his room, without prying eyes. Do not allow your breasts to be exposed in front of guests. But behave calmly and affectionately, do not provoke stress in the child. Support him: “You are already big, smart, independent!”
3. Be sure to feed your baby milk immediately after returning from work, from kindergarten, or after any separation. The baby must make sure that he is still loved and expected.
4. Organize (if this has not happened before) or continue co-sleeping with your child. If you are unavailable to your baby during the day, let him feel your presence nearby at least at night. In order to avoid night terrors and running to the parent's bed at the age of 5 - 6 years, when the child is already really big, it is better to nourish him with his mother's warmth before the age of three. After three, such children usually go to a separate bed themselves, declaring that they are already big.
5. Remember that the usual feeding regimen for a child after one and a half years is breast milk before bedtime and immediately after, as well as after the mother comes home from work or after kindergarten. + Breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack (if in the garden), dinner - according to the usual routine of life in the family or in kindergarten.
6. If an older baby begins to ask for the breast too often, like a little one, then either he is experiencing a lot of stress (look for the reason!), or he has a lot of free and unorganized time (organize communication with friends, visiting a circle, etc.)

As you can see, the harm of breastfeeding is a controversial point. The benefits are palpable. But the best guide to the need to remove from the breast or lack thereof will only be the child himself. If in the period from 2.5 - 3 to 5 years there is a moment when the baby does not ask for the breast, do not offer it. If he is ready to wean himself, he will not ask for milk. If not, calmly wait for the right moment. This way you will give your child the most important thing - stability of the nervous system, excellent health and full development. After all, children who have been breastfed for a long time do not have problems with speech therapy or bite, they are often ahead of their peers in mental development, they are strong in spirit, cheerful, and sociable.

Breastfeeding is one of the most mythologized areas of parenting. There are many “folk beliefs” about what breastfeeding should look like, what to do to make it successful, what it can lead to, etc. These myths penetrate everywhere - they are shared by older relatives, girlfriends, doctors, the pages of glossy magazines... Meanwhile, in the world there is such an approach as evidence-based medicine: this approach tests both “generally accepted methods” and “well-known facts”, as well as new hypotheses through research. And the result is sometimes very interesting data! Test yourself: did you know the following facts about breastfeeding?..

Long-term breastfeeding has long-term effects on children's blood pressure

It is well known that breastfeeding supports the health of the breastfeeding baby. But at the same time, it is also believed that all the bonuses of breastfeeding disappear with its end, or even earlier, because “ " In fact, of course, the benefits of breast milk do not disappear quickly as soon as the child turns one (or two, or three...) and, moreover, prolonged breastfeeding has very long-term consequences for the child. So, Japanese study, which divided 377 mother-child pairs into short-term (average 5.1 months) and long-term (average 11.3 months) breastfeeding groups, found that blood pressure was significantly lower in the long-term breastfeeding group as early as age 7 than in the short group. And these results were independent of birth weight, leading the researchers to suggest a protective effect of prolonged breastfeeding against high blood pressure in children ( Hosaka M et al, 2013).

Children who are breastfed learn better

Australian researchers sifted through a large amount of data, proving this thesis in several ways. A group of 1038 children ( Oddy et al 2011) examined academic performance at age 10 years in relation to duration of breastfeeding. After adjusting for family income, maternal factors and early home development, breastfeeding for longer than six months was found to make a particularly big difference for boys: literally every additional month of breastfeeding was associated with better achievement in math, reading and spelling. Another Australian study involving 2868 children ( Whitehouse et al 2010) was focused specifically on language ability. Children breastfed for longer than 6 months scored significantly higher on language tests at 5 years of age and showed an even larger difference at 10 years of age. This led scientists to the conclusion that breastfeeding for a longer period of time in infancy has a positive effect on the development of language abilities in children. Which goes against the common myths among us: “breastfeeding inhibits the development of a child! And while you are breastfeeding, he won’t start talking to you normally!”

Breastfeeding normalizes body weight in children

Quite often, mothers of infants are told that their , focusing on the norms of weight gain in artificially-trained children. Breastfed and bottle-fed children grow differently, and it is worth remembering that the normal situation is for babies to grow on mother’s milk, and not on formula! A baby develops the way it is genetically determined, and not as the technologists decided when producing the formula. Moreover: even in the case of individual risks, prolonged breastfeeding can even out the situation! This showed, for example, study of growth characteristics of children with different birth weights breastfed (Camurdan et al 2011) - in a group of 407 children, there were those who were born too small for their age, those who were of normal weight, and those who were born with high weight (including including those born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus). General patterns were identified as follows: children born with low weight, exclusively breastfed, usually gained weight very actively in the first two months of life. Infants born with increased body weight, on the contrary, greatly reduced the rate of gain starting from the 9th month of life, and by about a year the weight of the “little ones” and the “big ones” was equalized. However, a separate observation of children born with increased body weight showed that in the first 4 months of life there were no significant differences in weight gain between those who were breastfed and bottle-fed. But if the child was breastfed for more than 12 months, then his body mass index (BMI) remained within the normal range, and if breastfeeding stopped earlier, then the BMI was significantly higher than normal, at least until the child was three years old.

...and in mothers, and in the very long term

What a group of Finnish scientists proved ( Wiklund Pk et al 2011), who conducted a retrospective study to determine the long-term effects of lactation on maternal weight and overall metabolism. The study included 212 women aged 36 to 60 years, 16-20 years after their last pregnancy. As it turned out, those who breastfed for less than six months had a significantly higher percentage of body fat than those who breastfed for 6 to 10 months and especially those who breastfed for longer than 10 months! These differences were independent of prepregnancy weight, body mass index, presence or absence of menopause, smoking, higher education, past and present physical activity, and current energy intake. It also meant higher cholesterol levels in those who fed less, and higher blood pressure levels - both systolic and diastolic. So mothers who stop feeding early in order to “get back into shape after childbirth” are making a cardinal mistake...

...and also makes mothers' bones stronger

How many times have you heard or read that breastfeeding “leaches calcium from the body”? In fact, although calcium, of course, is consumed during milk production, nature has provided insurance - after all, adequate feeding of offspring should be a biological advantage, and not a risk factor. And a nursing woman absorbs calcium from food much better, and this happens at the level of one of the features of the body’s general metabolism. Therefore, we obtain data such as in research by Scandinavian scientists: The already mentioned Finnish group (Wiklund Pk et al 2011) also looked at the strength of the hip and tibia bones in 145 women aged 36-60 years, 16-20 years after the last birth. Those who breastfed for a total of more than 33 months in their lives (and no matter how many children), had greater strength of the bones of the hip joint and lower leg - regardless of height and weight, and the presence of menopause, hormonal therapy and current physical activity. The Norwegians also obtained similar results ( Bjørnerem et al 2011), who concluded that every 10 months of breastfeeding reduces the risk of a postmenopausal hip fracture, a common problem among older women, by 12%.

...and protects against cancer

Unfortunately, despite the global recommendation to try to breastfeed for at least two years, in Russia there is a persistent myth that breastfeeding for more than a year contributes to the development of cancer. This is a complete and absolute untruth, which is refuted by a number of studies. There are so many of them that for clarity you can take 2002 meta-analysis of 47 studies in 30 countries, which looked at data from 50,302 women with breast cancer and 96,973 without the disease. The general patterns that this meta-analysis revealed were that women with breast cancer had fewer births on average, and the average duration of breastfeeding was shorter (9.8 months vs. 15.6 months). The relative risk of breast cancer was found to decrease by 4.3% for every 12 months of breastfeeding, in addition to a 7% decrease for every birth. These data are independent of country, age, menopause, ethnicity and age at first birth.

, a very recent study was conductedKotsopoulos et al . It found out, What Breastfeeding for at least one year reduces the risk of the disease by 32%.According to a group of scientists, each subsequent year of breastfeeding reduces cancer incidence for this group by an additional 19%.

You've probably already noticed the trend “The longer you feed, the healthier you will be”. Long-term feeding is, of course, a special topic for holivars on the forums of both expectant and established mothers. Finally, in this regard, I would like to present one more interesting fact:

Most long-term breastfeeding mothers did not initially intend to breastfeed for a long time

When pregnant with their first child, most women don't think too far about breastfeeding. Most people think something like “well, if you’re lucky, I’ll feed you for up to a year, and that’s enough.” Some even manage to speak out on mother’s forums regarding fanatical women who, for some unknown reason, continue to breastfeed children who are already walking and even talking!.. So, a lot will change when today’s pregnant women have not an expected, but a very specific child with their own desires, needs and attitudes. AND Some of those who have been pointing fingers at long-term mothers will join their ranks. Thus, one of the studies ( Gribble 2008) found from 107 Australian mothers breastfeeding beyond two years that 87% did not intend to breastfeed for long - in fact, many of them "initially felt aversion to breastfeeding beyond infancy." So our ideas about life with a child are one thing, but reality is another. The main thing is to keep in mind that breastfeeding will definitely have health benefits for both the baby and the mother!..

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Used in the design of the articlephoto Olga Ermolaeva

Today, the principles of breastfeeding a baby, as well as education, the introduction of complementary foods, and others, are undergoing significant changes compared to what it was 20 - 30 years ago. Few people dare to dispute the benefits of human milk for a child. According to WHO recommendations, breastfeeding should, if possible, be extended to 1.5 - 2 years. And many doctors and “grandmothers” insist on an age of up to one year. When is the time to wean your baby off mother's milk? Breastfeeding after a year - benefit or harm for women and children?

Remnants of Soviet society, when postpartum leave was 6-12 months, or even less, convince us that breastfeeding after a year is harmful for both mother and baby.

But it’s worth looking at any ancient writings, and in every culture you can find a story about how a mother raises a baby with her milk for 2, or even 3 years. In some religions, for example, Muslims, it is considered a great sin if a woman stops breastfeeding her child only of her own free will.

WHO has long analyzed the level of public health in different historical periods, studied the nuances and all aspects of breastfeeding. The organization wrote down the conclusion in its documents as recommendations: it states the most important role of the lactation process for both the woman and the child, its desired duration is 2 years. Figuring out the pros and cons of long-term breastfeeding isn't easy. How to choose the most optimal solution?

Benefits for the baby

The mystery and intimacy that forms between mother and baby at the time of feeding is difficult to compare with anything. All modern practitioners of NLP and psychology claim that behavioral complexes and social problems arise more often in those who were not ironed, not loved and not kissed in early childhood. In this case, the duration of feeding with mother's milk is always taken into account. The main points that long-term breastfeeding provides for toddlers:

• Up to two or three years, being in the arms of the closest person, or even better, actively sucking, the child feels protected. This contributes to the formation of positive personal qualities such as confidence, resilience, determination and others.
• Despite the prevailing myths about the uselessness of breast milk and water, scientific research proves the opposite. Fat content increases compared to the first year. Increases: vitamins, microelements, immunoglobulins, etc. If you take 500 ml of breast milk, then for a one and a half year old baby it provides 30% of the energy needs, 45% of protein, 35 - 40% of calcium, about 60 - 70% of folic acid, vitamins A, B12, C.
• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of developing various allergic reactions in children. This is due to the fact that human milk helps the digestive system finally mature. This prevents irritation and changes in the mucous membrane in infancy.
• The fatty acids contained in milk have a significant effect on the formation of nerve endings and connections between cells in the brain. This often explains the high level of intelligence in children who are breastfed for a long time.
• Human milk contains morphine-like substances, and the sucking process itself distracts the baby. All this is extremely necessary for the baby at the moments of teething, when he simply “hangs” on his chest for days.
• Milk is an indispensable source of immunoglobulins and active substances during illness. Often children refuse to drink any liquid, which is so necessary to prevent dehydration, and breastfeed with pleasure.

Benefits for women

The benefits of breastfeeding after a year are undeniable not only for the baby, but also for the mother. Of course, there is no need to talk about the contraceptive effect at this time. Many people got burned by this. As a rule, after 6 months, most women begin to ovulate, so pregnancy can occur at any time.

It has long been proven: the longer breastfeeding, the more children, the lower a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian malignancies.

And, on the contrary, it is incorrect - with ligation of the mammary glands, with injury during pumping, etc. contribute to the development of oncology in the future. And the final completion of feeding at the age of 1.5 - 2 years of the baby will occur gradually, there will be no need to use additional measures.

Also, during lactation, a woman spends 300 - 500 kcal more than usual every day, which also contributes to the fastest restoration of shape after childbirth.

Possible harm to the child after one year

The negative aspects of breastfeeding after a year still need to be looked for. Rather, for the most part we are always talking about existing myths. The main ones:

• Feeding your baby breast milk after teething is harmful. This will lead to the formation of an incorrect bite. In fact, sucking the female breast does not contribute to the disorder. Often parents simply do not notice that along with this, the baby is also constantly holding a pacifier or bottle in his mouth - this is what is harmful. And if breastfeeding is properly organized, then the child will not need them. Accordingly, problems with bite will not arise, unless, of course, they are caused by something else.
• Sweet milk contributes to the rapid appearance of dental caries. Again, most often such conditions occur with the constant consumption of various compotes and drinks, especially at night. Breast milk contains enzymes that prevent the glucose it contains from affecting baby enamel.
• Often asking for breastfeeding at night, the baby does not get enough sleep. In fact, the duration of deep sleep in a child is less than in an adult. When switching to it from the superficial, the baby begins to behave restlessly. If a woman offers her breasts at this moment, she will contribute to a smooth transition into deep sleep. And, on the contrary, having not received what he wanted, the little one can completely come to a state of cheerfulness.
• Some believe that by sucking at night, the baby overloads his digestive system. This would be the case with any food, but not with mother’s milk. Its composition is so optimized and simple that it is immediately absorbed without any problems literally within 30 - 60 minutes.

How the process works

There are several feeding modes: according to schedule and according to requirements. And if during the first 6 - 8 months the mother herself can determine this, then after a year the baby “sets the rules.”

The opinion that if you continue lactation, then he will not want to eat anything other than milk, is false. As a rule, after a year, morning, evening and evening hours are important for the baby. This helps him calmly move from one mode to another. Night feedings stimulate further lactation.

So, when the baby “demands” his mother:

• Early in the morning. At this time, prolactin production increases, and, accordingly, the maximum amount of milk in the breast.
• Before finally waking up.
• Before lunch break. For now, this is a kind of developed reflex for the baby - to fall asleep near the chest.
• The evening before rest.
• Also, the child additionally wakes up 1 - 3 times at night to get a little full.

Since latching on to the breast creates a feeling of safety and security in the child, he may ask to suckle when he is scared, crying, during illness, etc.

If the baby lacks his mother’s warmth and presence, then by trying to feed himself, he thus makes up for it, which is extremely important in the formation of the child’s personality and psyche.

Feeding rules

Some note the harm of breastfeeding after a year and that the woman gets very tired due to this, and every man wants to see his always cheerful and active passion next to him. Indeed, this could happen. But if you try and create comfortable conditions for mother and baby, that will help you get only joy and pleasure from the feeding process.

• should be carried out in a position comfortable for the woman and child. If it is at night, then lying down. So you can take a nap while the baby is satiated.
• It is better to arrange light twilight in the room using a night light. A dim light will not disturb the child’s sleep, and if necessary, you can easily find something: pajamas, diapers, etc.
• It is better to place your child’s bed next to your own. This way you can hear even the slightest concern of the baby and feed him in time, without letting him wake up.
• During periods of illness or painful teething, it is recommended to be with the child even all night, this will make it easier for him to cope with this condition.

When is it time to wean and how to do it

You can continue breastfeeding as long as the baby needs it. According to WHO recommendations, the optimal weaning age is between 1.5 and 2.5 years. Usually during this period you can explain to the child that his mother will no longer feed him this way. By this time, the amount of milk in the mammary glands is small, so the lactation process itself ends physiologically.

There are many options for how else you can explain to your baby that it’s time. For example, say it hurts. Or smear the nipple with some irritating substance that is safe for the baby (mustard).

Ideally, a woman gradually reduces the number of feedings over several months. This way the baby will adapt more easily, and the mammary glands will reduce secretion.

If there were many more feedings, problems may arise when finishing. Then you can use medications, for example, Bromocriptine.

But under no circumstances should you bandage or tighten the mammary glands. All this will contribute to the development of mastopathy and other diseases subsequently.

There are many arguments in favor of the fact that long-term breastfeeding is beneficial for both the woman and the baby. It has been noticed that psychomotor development and social adaptation are higher in those children whose mothers defend this particular concept. In confirmation of everything, WHO recommendations, according to which it is advisable to feed a child until 1.5 - 2 years. It is during this period that it is not difficult to wean the baby, and it is easier to complete lactation.