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Nursing Beyond One Year
Part II
By Virginia Gilbert
When mother and child are ready to wean, lactation educator Fran Jaffe advises a gradual approach, restricting "the toddler's nursing to only certain times of the day." Wilde now nurses her own son once a day, usually at night. The tapering off has been an active choice on both their parts. "He tells me he's going to stop when he's 4," she relates, amused.
On a bittersweet note, Wilde confides that "it's very emotional, coming to the end of this process. I'm letting go of something, but I'm also wrapped up in where he is now, seeing him much more out there in the world."
How to Handle Criticism
Although most people today will agree that breastfeeding is the best feeding choice for an infant, the responses most likely will be mixed as the nursing relationship continues into toddlerhood.
When a mother finds her breastfeeding practice is under fire, Wilde advises her to hold onto the knowledge that extended nursing is the right thing for her family. Instead of retreating from confrontation, Wilde suggests that a nursing mom give as much information as is appropriate about the extended relationship and then ask the critical person why he or she is uncomfortable with the idea of breastfeeding a toddler.
Wilde adds that these times present themselves as valuable opportunities for women to reassess the needs of themselves and their children – and when necessary, to make changes in order to wean or to continue nursing.
