Thanks for hopping over from Mummies Waiting and welcome to my post for the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt Day 5 Extended Breastfeeding we have over £700 worth of breastfeeding and baby goodies up for grabs including prizes from More4Mums providing a set of ‘Hot Milk’ Lingerie, a signed hardback limited edition copy of Milky Moments and a £30 voucher from Milk Chic Full details of the Grand Prize can be found here and all entries to be completed via the Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post.
I’ve been breastfeeding for a total of almost 4 years now, I breastfed my eldest until he was 2 years and 2 months old and my littlie is now almost 19 months and still happily breastfeeding day and night.
There are certain signs that I’ve noticed in both my boys as toddlers and in other toddlers that are so typical of breastfed toddlers, I thought it would be fun to post here.
1. The hand down the top. Sometimes that little hand is just hanging there, other times he likes to squash and pinch and prod. Of course it doesn’t stop with me, other family members and friends have had little hands down their tops too, much to my amusement!
2. The toddler hanging onto the top, yanking it down so the entire chest is on display! I’ve given up on worrying about my bra being on show now.
3. Dive bombing siblings out of the way. As soon as O comes up for cuddles the little toddler immediately climbs up and pushes him out of the way and then demands milk. After about 5 seconds he’s off and running again.
4. The not being able to sit down for 5 minutes without the toddler jumping on you and demanding milk. Of course, each feed lasts a matter of seconds and he’s distracted by something else.
5. When asleep beside you a little arm needs to be touching, just to make sure his milk hasn’t run-off without him!
Joking aside, feeding a toddler is wonderful for both the mother and child.
There is the bond between toddler and mum, the knowledge that there is always comfort when the little one is hurt or milk to get him to sleep.
Then of course breastmilk still has a high nutritional value, even when your toddler is fussy about food, they will still be having plenty of breastmilk, tailored specifically to their current needs.
There is evidence that antibodies in breastmilk increase in the second year and the longer that children are breastfed for the fewer illnesses or shorter duration of illnesses they have.
It’s great that breastfeeding past infancy is becoming more commonplace. The more young people who see toddlers being breastfed, the more likely extended breastfeeding is going to become the norm in the future.
So keep on breastfeeding for as long as you and your child are happy!
For more extended breastfeeding experiences please hop on over to A Novice Mum where you can gain further entries into the grand prize draw. Full terms and conditions can be found on the Keeping Britain Breastfeeding website. UK residents only.
Tracy Nixon says
I breast fed each of my four for the first three months.
Helen | Wonderfully Average says
Love this! Made me smile, very familiar. Especially the hand down the top. I don’t even realise he’s doing it until the people I’m with start laughing!
Laura Moore says
Oh, I recognise every one of those signs!! I’ve been feeding for nearly four years now. Eldest fed for over 3.5 years; youngest is still feeding at 20 months, with no sign of stopping any time soon.
Jenny Eaves says
Wow, well done! That’s amazing you’ve fed so long with both. I imagine my littlest will be over 3 before he stops, my eldest was over 2 years. 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Ha ha! Yes, I often don’t notice either until someone points it out! 🙂 x
Nic webb says
Currently feeding my 2 year old and 1 month old! The 2 year old asks very nicely for.boobies with a me want boobies and fluttering of eyelashes 🙂
Jenny Eaves says
Aww, so cute! 🙂 X
Rosie says
Still feeding at 4 years 5 months.
Jenny Eaves says
Congratulations on getting so far! 🙂 x
Jenni - Odd Socks and Lollipops says
I totally agree with you that feeding should be for as long as mum and toddler are happy =)
We are still going at nearly 20 months =)
Hands down tops and pointing is very common here, Boo did at one stage just start to helpself but we decided we needed to teach her some manners! Hehe she now says ‘pwwwsss boobies’ or please boobies which is just too cute =)
Jenny Eaves says
That’s fantastic! I loooove that she asks please boobies too! So cute! 🙂 x
Amy @ Very Much So... says
Haha, so many of these sound familiar especially the hand down the top! I’m still feeding at 15 months and I really can’t see it stopping anytime soon. Unfortunately I don’t get the top pulled down, I get it pulled up which shows everyone my mum tum. I think I’d prefer to flash my bra! #TheList
Jenny Eaves says
Ha ha! yes, I would prefer my bra shown too! Glad to hear your still feeding well at 15 months. 🙂 x
Mudpie Fridays says
Thats great that you have fed for so long, Monkey took himself off at 5.5months and I was most devastated!! 🙁 xx #Thelist
Little Fish says
Ha ha! So funny!
You are so right to say it’s about what’s right for the mother and the child.
I was all set to breastfeed for as long as little one was happy to and after a rocky start when he was a newborn, was exclusively breastfeeding after a few weeks.
He started weaning himself at 8 months though, which I was sad about at the time, but managed to hang in on there and continued feeding him in the mornings until 12 months when he completely lost interest!
I just think they are all different and you have to just go with what’s right for you and your little one. x
Amy Treasure says
Ah this is lovely and funny and really takes me back. Reading all these BF posts is making me so wistful! I have just finished my journey and made it to almost two years but I miss it so much, I even miss being asked for mama milk at the supermarket checkout and a bemused look from the check out boy haha! Fab post 🙂
Stepping in for Hannah this week and thanking you for joining in with #thelist x
Jenny Eaves says
Ha ha! Love that the checkout boy was a little bemused! Well done to getting to almost 2 years, it really is lovely! 🙂 x
Jenny Eaves says
Well done for feeding for so long, you did fantastically! 12 months is a great milestone to get to. 🙂 x