Page 99 - April Issue
P. 99
in focus: toddler
baby will not be satisfied with your toddler feeling safe and cancers, such as leukemia. These mother, baby & child April 2011
anyone other than his mother, calm, in his ever-changing world. antibodies remain in your milk,
and therefore may be regarded Breastfeeding is an amazing tool no matter how old your child
by some as a liability, when for calming a toddler on the is. In addition to preventing
in fact, a baby simply knows verge of a tantrum, and even for disease, studies show that
what he needs for his own lulling your little one off to sleep breastfed toddlers have fewer
good. Some cultures fear that after an exciting day. Nothing ear infections, better eyesight,
continuing to breastfeed until cures a bump on the head or a stronger, straighter teeth and less
a child weans on his own will scraped knee like Mama’s arms risk of obesity.
make him more dependent and a little breast milk.
on his mother. Instead of Breastfed Toddlers are
viewing extended nursing as Breastfed Toddlers are Smarter
something to question, perhaps Healthier
the real query should be, Breastfed babies and toddlers
“What is there to be gained by It takes between two and six gain “smart fats” from breast
abruptly putting an end to the years for a child’s immune milk, (omega-3 fatty acid or DHA).
breastfeeding relationship?” system to fully mature. Human Studies show that breastfed
milk continues to complement toddlers develop speech and
Comfort and boost the immune system fine motor skills earlier and show
for as long as it is offered (AAP higher IQs, increased reading
Breast milk is nearly perfect in its 1997; Goldman 1983; Gulick comprehension, math skills,
nutritional value; research shows 1986; Mohrbacher and Stock and scholastic ability, even into
that the fat and energy content 2003; Saarinen 1982). Research adolescence. IQ score: Extensive
of breast milk actually increases on the incidence of illness in research on the relationship
after the first year. Breast milk breastfed or weaned toddlers between cognitive achievement
is still the perfect food for your reflects these dynamics. (IQ scores, grades in school) and
toddler, even if it is used only in Breastfeeding toddlers between breastfeeding has shown the
supplemental form. The process 16 and 30 months old have greatest gains for those children
that children go through while been found to have fewer types breastfed the longest (van den
growing toward independence and shorter duration of illness Bogaard 1991).
is a difficult one. Breastfeeding and to require less medical care
can provide feelings of love, than their non-breastfeeding Advice
comfort, and protection. When peers (Gulick 1986). Just as
a mother makes herself available your breast milk helped your Mothers, she advises,
to nurse her child through a infant build a strong immune intending to breast feed beyond
situation that he can’t handle system, it continues to help six months need to ensure that
alone, he will likely develop your toddler form antibodies they take care to supplement
independence based on faith and fight off all the germs he their iron, folate, essential fatty
that mother will be there to encounters. Your milk contains acids,
help. As a child gets older, an immunoglobulin (IGA) amino acids, minerals and Vitamin
there are fewer and fewer such which coats the lining of the D to ensure that both they and
situations. intestines, preventing germs their little one benefit
from penetrating. Breast milk emotionally, nutritionally and
As every breastfeeding also contains thousands of immunologically
mother knows, nursing antiviral, antibacterial, and from the wonderful experience.
isn’t only for nutrition. The antiparasitic factors, protecting
unpredictable nature of a against hundreds of infections CREDITS:
toddler finds its match with and diseases, including E. Brenda Saunders
the calming, consistency coli, pneumonia, strep throat, Homeopath
of mother’s milk. Breastfed Salmonella, influenza, rotavirus, The Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre
toddlers remain more grounded rubella, West Nile virus, 04-3351200
and emotionally stable than mumps, measles, diabetes,
those who are not breastfed. meningitis, and even childhood References:
The familiarity of nursing keeps Sears, Dr. William, “Extended Breastfeeding-
Handling the Criticism”, Parenting.com
Steinkraus, Kyla. “Extend Breastfeeding’s
Benefits” Mothering Magazine, Issue 144, 2007
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