Extended breastfeeding – nursing after the first year

Considering that the World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding your child until 2 years, it always surprises me that breastfeeding after the first year is often referred to as “extended”.  Personally I prefer the term “sustained breastfeeding” which I notice is used by the Australian Breastfeeding Association.

There are many good reasons to continue breastfeeding your child as long as you both feel comfortable.  There is wide spread acceptance that breastfeeding offers benefits to both mother and baby, however frequently nursing mums find themselves having to justify continuing to breastfeed their child after the first year.

Some of the benefits of breastfeeding after the first year include;

• Breast milk continues to provide immunity protection and nutrition beyond the first year of lactation.  Even if an infant is getting nutrition from solid food, there are still health benefits from the vitamins and enzymes found in breast milk.
• Strong emotional and bonding experience creates a greater sense of security for the child as they become more independent.  They will feel assured and confident due to the strong maternal relationship.
• Positive association between duration of breastfeeding and cognitive development.
• Lower risk of anaemia, osteoporosis and breast cancer for the mother.

According to Dewey KG. Nutrition, growth and complementary feeding of the breastfed infant. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2001: 48(1): 87-104, in the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:

• • 29% of energy requirements
  • 43% of protein requirements
  • 36% of calcium requirements
  • 75% of vitamin A requirements
  • 76% of folate requirements
  • 94% of vitamin B₁₂ requirements
  • 60% of vitamin C requirements

Clearly the objections to breastfeeding beyond the first year are social ones. It can be wearing for a nursing mum to be justifying herself to family, friends and sometimes even strangers! Perhaps what is required is further education within our communities to change those social perceptions.

What do you think?

Breastfeeding Today

Love this magazine... need to share!

Check out p14/15 article Preparing for Breastfeeding.

In defence of older mums… because I am one!

Great article in response to recent reportings that older mums were selfish..(link here)

”The age of a mother isn’t the issue,” said Mr Salt. ”But, my observation of women having children later, is how they absolutely want and love and adore those children… as long as a child is yearned for, loved, adored, provisioned for, parents’ age, sexual orientation, income, ethnicity, race – none of that matters.”

School children should be taught benefits of breastfeeding

“Schoolchildren should be taught the benefits of breastfeeding to help drive a major change in society’s attitude towards feeding babies”. (link to article)

I think it this is an excellent idea. I knew nothing about breastfeeding before I had my baby – fortunately I had excellent support and received great advice, so I managed to overcome the intial challenges.

However it should be done as part of a balanced education covering safe-sex, conception, pregnancy, birth and basic concepts of parenting.  No point just talking about breastfeeding in isolation – needs a well rounded discussion that involves boys, as well as girls.

What are your thoughts?

Keeping warm while breastfeeding this winter

It’s a very cold winter here in Melbourne… so there’s been lots of demand for suitable nursing tops for layering under jackets and cardigans.

Our Essential Nursing Tees are a classic t-shirt style and designed to flatter a post-baby figure. They look great with jeans or with a skirt and boots. Throw on your favourite scarf to add a splash or colour or extra warmth.

Simply lift the outer layer at the hemline to access generous sized nursing openings in the underlayer. This style of nursing opening is great for mums new to breastfeeding, or mums with larger breasts. No fiddly zips or flaps.

Made from 95% cotton for breathability and 5% elastane for stretch and comfort, this basic tee is a favourite wardrobe staple. Fabric is super soft against mums and bubs skin. Machine washable (yay!)

Essential Nursing Tee breastfeeding top

Essential Nursing Tee breastfeeding top nursing opening

Short Sleeved Nursing Tee breastfeeding top

Essential Nursing Tee breastfeeding top opening

Getting your baby to sleep – Pinky McKay

Pinky McKay gives advice to Lose Baby Weight mums on how to get your baby to sleep and how to settle your baby.

Breastfeeding and vaccinations

With colds and flu season upon us… have you wondered whether having the flu vaccination is safe when breastfeeding?

Read more here

Do mum’s vaccines protect baby? Read more here

Increased iodine intake essential for pregnancy and breastfeeding

Link to article here

Health experts have advised women who are pregnant or breastfeeding that they need to ensure they get enough iodine.

Recent findings from the National Iodine Nutrition Survey showed that much of the Australian population is mildly iodine deficient.

Mandatory fortification of bread with iodine has recently been introduced, but Dr John Burgess of the Tasmanian Ministerial Thyroid Committee said that while the measures were excellent for the general population, they do not provide enough iodine for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Burgess, along with Director of Public Health Dr Roscoe Taylor, endorsed the NHMRC’s recommendation that all women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or considering pregnancy, take an iodine supplement of 150 micrograms each day.

Burgess and Taylor believed iodine deficiency might be related to less use of household iodised salt, increased commercial use of non-iodised salt and reduced use of iodine-based cleaning products by the dairy industry.

Iodine is particularly important during pregnancy and breastfeeding, to ensure normal development of the brain and nervous system in babies and young children

Burgess said that iodine deficiency during pregnancy and breastfeeding could have a negative affect on the brain and nervous system of infants and children and result in a lower IQ.

Long Sleeved Nursing Top – keeping nursing mums warm this winter

Breastfeeding mums – Have you seen our Long Sleeved Nursing Tops?

Keep your tummy and back warm while feeding on these chilly winter days. Perfect for layering under your favourite jacket or cardigan, or throw on a cuddly scarf or wrap for extra warmth.

Available in Black, Midnight blue and Charcoal grey.

Group breastfeeding event – news article

I gather that this article is supportive of the mums who took part in the group breastfeeding event at a shopping centre and their purpose to promote breastfeeding awarenes. BUT there are still silly references to being “bold” and bearing breasts and stunned shoppers. Seriously, why can’t breastfeeding just be about feeding a baby rather than women exposing themselves?