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TODDLER NURSING Some parents have a definite idea of how long their children will be breastfed, others have not decided or change their minds after they have begun. Culturally, the expectation here appears to suggest that breastfeeding is something that you might do for a while before you begin giving bottles of formula. At any rate sometime your baby will be getting a bottle surely... To continue to breastfeed solely until your child is eating many nourishing other foods is unusual, and to continue long after it is deemed necessary, is often seen as self indulgence on the part of the mother. The parents who continue realize the benefits to their child in nourishment, protection and security and they listen to what their child has to say. By the time some children are ready to give up nursing they are indeed able to say what they want. It is wonderful to hear your child telling you how much he appreciates nursing. I remember when I was nursing a toddler of my own - about 16 months old - seeing a friend nursing her child and he was wearing shoes. It struck me that it was a strange sight to see someone else nursing a toddler even though I was doing so myself. Toddlers continue to nurse for the benefits of nutrition, bearing in mind that they may eat fairly erratically; for comfort , when they have fallen over or been upset; when they are tired, many nurslings continue only the night time feed for many months; and when they are ill, in which case they may go back to fully nursing and you will be surprised to find yourself making pints of milk again after the quantity had been slowly diminishing. This latter reason is so convenient for the parents, as it ensures that the child is not dangerously ill, and often means that you do not have to resort to medication. I liked the fact that I did not have to sit awake at night with ill children as long as they could nurse. | ||
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CATHERINE HOLLAND Tel: 0701 7415310 Email: catherine@catherineholland.co.uk | |
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