Sorry this is taken off the course of yoga and the original question, but I feel the need to post this informational article for anyone who joins in the future and reads this thread.
Thank you.
The following is taken from Pediatrics: The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. You may read the entire article here: http://pediatrics.
You may also find more information on the topic at www.kellymom.
In responding to Matthew's mother, several factors should be considered to help her make an informed decision. The benefits of breastfeeding, especially beyond 1 year of life, her own feelings about extending the period of breastfeeding, and Matthew's needs in relationship to his developmental level should be considered. It is often helpful to discuss breastfeeding duration in a historical and cultural context.
Breastfeeding beyond 1 year of age is considered extended breastfeeding in the United States, and as the term "extended breastfeeding" implies, it is not the customary practice. The age of weaning, however, ranges from 2 to 4 years in many societies around the world. For example, in Guinea Bissau, West Africa, the median time for weaning is 22.6 months,1 and mothers in India frequently breastfeed their infants until 3 or 4 years of age (Anne Seshadri, personal communication, 2002). Ancient Greeks, Hebrews, and Muslims all recommended breastfeeding of infants for 2 to 3 years as found in the writings of Aristotle, the Talmud, and the Koran.2–4 In sharing this information with Matthew's mother, you allow her to view extended breastfeeding in a broader context.
Breastfeeding in the first year of life is protective against numerous infections and the development of allergies.5 There is limited but increasing evidence that breastfeeding beyond 1 year is also beneficial to the health of the child and, possibly, the mother. The duration of an episode of otitis media is shortened in children who are breastfeeding after 1 year of age.6 This finding is consistent with the data that concentrations of lysozyme, lactoferrin, and secretory IgA are stable and even increase in the breast milk of mothers who are breastfeeding for longer than 1 year.7 Preliminary studies suggest that extended breastfeeding may be protective against childhood lymphoma and leukemia.8,9 Evidence is now accumulating that increasing duration of lifetime breastfeeding reduces the risk of premenopausal breast cancer in the mother.10,11 Reports that some children breastfed beyond 1 year were at increased risk for malnutrition have been discredited because of poor study designs.12 Most experts agree that, as long as a breastfeeding toddler is eating a variety of grains, vegetables, fruits, and foods or supplements that provide adequate iron and vitamin D, nutrition will be adequate and appropriate growth and development will be ensured.
An important factor in helping Matthew's mother make her decision is an understanding of her feelings about continuing to breastfeed. Often mothers in her situation are subject to criticism from friends or family members who intimate or state that Matthew is too old to breastfeed and that "he should be a big boy." Matthew's mother may feel guilty at this suggestion; however, she and Matthew may enjoy the times they breastfeed at home in a quiet place.
Matthew is breastfeeding for comfort and reassurance in unfamiliar situations. These are the same situations that are socially awkward for his mother to breastfeed. One approach to this problem is to encourage Matthew's mother to speak reassuringly to Matthew, encourage the use of a favorite blanket or stuffed animal as a comfort object, and tell him they will "nurse" or "breastfeed" at home. Toddlers of Matthew's age typically have ample receptive language skills, even if their expressive vocabulary is limited; they understand when spoken to in simple and concrete terms. Establishing routine times and places, preferably in the home, will also make it easier for Matthew to understand that he can no longer breastfeed on demand, especially when out in public places.
Matthew's mother may also wonder when and how she will ever wean him if she continues to breastfeed. A survey of 134 mothers who were attending a La Leche League conference and who had breastfed beyond 1 year indicated that they weaned gradually and described the process as child-led. The average age of weaning was 36 months in this group.13 In India, women often wean their 3- or 4-year-old by putting the juice of a bitter gourd or melon on their nipples. The child dislikes the taste and quickly gives up breastfeeding (Anne Seshadri, personal communication, 2002).
For many mothers and toddlers, the major advantage of extended breastfeeding may be found in their emotional well-being. A toddler is often competing for his or her mother's attention in a very busy and harried life. A mother in my practice who breastfed 2 children until 2 years of age explained that she would slow down and give her undivided attention to her child several times each day when breastfeeding. Her children knew that she always had time for those moments each day. This time was also important to the mother for relaxing and unwinding.
I would encourage Matthew's mother to continue to breastfeed at home or in quiet and private places. I would also suggest offering a comfort object such as a blanket or a stuffed animal when Matthew needs a hug and something to hold onto when it would be awkward for her to breastfeed. I would review Matthew's diet, consider prescribing a vitamin D and an iron supplement, and review good dental hygiene, including brushing the teeth before bedtime, and I would discourage breastfeeding throughout the night. Finally, I would encourage Matthew's mother to continue to breastfeed for as long as she and Matthew feel that it is right for them.
GURU RATTANA ONLINE - NEW Ground-Breaking Streaming Video Subscription Service - learn with Guru Rattana in the privacy and comfort of your own home. More details from http://www.yogatech.com/grol.html
FREE ONLINE KUNDALINI YOGA LESSONS - http://www.kundaliniyoga.org/classes.html
FOLLOW GURU RATTANA ON TWITTER - http://twitter.com/gururattana
No comments:
Post a Comment