By: Aisha Thompson
Updated: Aug. 25, 2018
Originally Published: Aug. 24, 2018
I breastfed my daughter until she was nearly four years old. It was a wonderful journey, largely because it provided her with a unique comfort that nothing else could replicate. However, as she grew from an infant to a toddler, the experience became increasingly challenging—okay, a lot more challenging. If you think that mothers who practice extended breastfeeding do it solely for their own benefit, I can assure you, you probably haven’t walked in our shoes.
Once my daughter became a toddler, she was a ball of energy. Picture a little acrobat performing a routine straight out of the Olympics while still latched on. I often found myself trying to hold her steady, only to have a tiny foot shoot up over my shoulder or a leg pushing against my arm as if it were a workout machine. Trust me, there’s nothing enjoyable about a squirming toddler trying to nurse. It’s like wrestling a slippery fish on a boat—exhausting and far from serene.
Distractions were another hurdle. My daughter wanted to nurse, but the world around her was filled with more exciting things to explore. If I attempted to let her go, she would cling even tighter. This tug-of-war was a regular occurrence. And as she grew, so did her size; my little one transformed into a rather hefty toddler, making it less comfortable to snuggle in close for nursing sessions. The constant movement that was once endearing became quite the workout for me.
When I tried to scroll through my phone, I was met with relentless wiggling instead of the peaceful moments I enjoyed when she was a snug little baby. Nursing had shifted from being adorable to downright challenging, yet she still craved the emotional stability and bonding that came from breastfeeding. I had committed to this journey as long as she needed me, but it was becoming increasingly tough.
Every mother who has nursed a toddler knows the feeling of being utterly touched out. If I sat down for more than a few minutes without appearing busy, my little one would be quick to lift my shirt and help herself. Reminding her that I was a person too, not just a source of food, became a frequent necessity—something that was often more annoying than amusing.
Nevertheless, I persevered for her sake. People have countless opinions on how we nourish our children, from where we breastfeed to how long we continue. Unsolicited comments often flood in, with many insisting, “If your child can drink from a cup or eat solid food, they no longer need to breastfeed; it’s just for the mother.”
Here’s why that perspective is misguided: My daughter was enjoying family dinners once her teeth came in, but she still needed to nurse. Breastmilk continues to adapt and provide nutritional benefit even as children grow, so there’s inherent value in continuing to offer it.
While I understand that extended breastfeeding was a personal choice, it’s not solely the mother’s decision. There’s another individual involved—our child—who relies on breastfeeding for more than just sustenance. It serves as a comfort, a way to soothe and navigate their evolving emotions.
Sometimes, despite the urge to say “enough already,” we also consider our children’s needs. Breastfeeding, especially beyond infancy, is a nuanced relationship, and the notion that we’re coercing our kids to nurse is utterly ludicrous.
Nursing a toddler was both demanding and tiring, but I did it because it was what my daughter required. I have no regrets about that choice, though I wish I had learned to brush off the ignorant comments much sooner. For more insights on this topic, check out our post on privacy policy here.
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Summary
Extended breastfeeding is often misunderstood as simply a mother’s choice, but it involves the emotional and nutritional needs of the child as well. The challenges of nursing a toddler, from their constant movement to distractibility, can make the experience demanding, yet many mothers continue because of the comfort and bond it provides. Embracing this journey requires patience and resilience, as well as defending one’s choices against unsolicited opinions.