As certified breastfeeding counselors, we often think about early breastfeeding. However, our training and scope of practice extends throughout the entire breastfeeding relationship. For some families, this means support around breastfeeding toddlers.
With the new AAP Breastfeeding Recommendations, we may see even more families seeking support while breastfeeding toddlers. Breastfeeding physiology does not change much, it is always a supply demand process. However, questions, concerns, and troubleshooting can vary as babies become toddlers.
Here are ways you can help clients breastfeeding toddlers:
Reassure Clients That Breastfeeding Toddlers is Normal
One of the many reasons for the new AAP recommendations is many families were not receiving proper support when breastfeeding beyond 12 months. It has always been beneficial to breastfeed babies well beyond 12 months. However, as it is also okay to wean and offer other milk, many parents feel pressured to wean when their baby turns one.
While some parents countdown and look forward to weaning, other parents and babies simply are not ready. While it can feel unusual for some to breastfeed beyond a year if they never see others do so, it is biologically normal and beneficial to continue feeding.
In many societies, it is also very typical to see breastfeeding toddlers. However, there are often clients, especially if you are in the US, who might find breastfeeding beyond a year abnormal.
As a breastfeeding counselor, you can reassure clients that breastfeeding toddlers is very normal. It is both biology normal and completely typical in terms of development.
Help Clients Understand The Benefits of Breastfeeding Toddlers
For clients who want to breastfeed toddlers but feel pressured by others to wean, sharing benefits can help encourage them. So often, parents are told as soon as baby is one there is no reason to keep feeding. However, breastfeeding beyond a year continues to:
- Offer an excellent source of nutrition including healthy fats, proteins, and more
- Provide antibodies to help reduce the frequency and severity of common illnesses
- Reduce the risk of complications and hospitalizations from moderate to severe illnesses such as the flu, gastroenteritis, and more (things often associated with dehydration)
- Offer age-appropriate comfort and bonding
- Be associated with protections against diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancers of the breast and ovaries for breastfeeding parents
- Offer mental, social, and cognitive development benefits
Those are just a few of the benefits that do not magically cease when a baby turns one. These benefits can continue as long as a child is breastfeeding. For parents who choose to wean at a year, they can be confident of all the benefits they have already shared.
Continued benefits of breastfeeding is not used to pressure anyone to breastfeed. However, as professionals, we can use this information to support clients who feel pressured to wean when they would otherwise want to continue.
Offer Support and Education For Teething, Nursing Strikes, and More
As babies grow, they go through many developmental changes. Teething, new milestones, etc., can impact the breastfeeding relationship.
At times, a teething toddler may want to constantly nurse. While another teething toddler may refuse to nurse for a bit. Either way, you can reassure clients that teething causes temporary discomfort. It can temporarily impact latch. Whatever they experience during teething, tends to be brief and transient.
Nursing strikes can sometimes be confused with self-weaning. For parents wanting to wean, they may take this opportunity to begin. However, for those who know their toddler likely is not truly ready, nursing strikes can be difficult. As a CBC, you can talk about the reasons a toddler might have a nursing strike and how to navigate it.
Another important part of breastfeeding toddlers is nursing “manners” which can be important. Nursing manners are things such as:
- Teaching a toddler not to grab, pull and scratch
- Having boundaries around breastfeeding times such as nap, bedtime, after lunch, etc., whatever works for the parent and child
- Not allowing biting
Certainly, these “manners” can take time and repetition to teach. However, as a CBC you can reassure parents it is not just okay but healthy to establish boundaries that make breastfeeding a positive experience for both toddler and parent.
As you can see, there are many ways a CBC can aid with breastfeeding and toddlers. If you have not started your training, be sure to register today!