Saturday morning cartoons look much different in these days. We continue to have success with our extended breast-feeding journey!
Here are some things to keep in mind while continuing your journey past the first year:
Breastfed tots are SMART! Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest. I often joke with hubs that I’m way smarter than him because of this exactly! ?
Breastfed tots have LESS ALLERGIES by:
(1) reducing exposure to potential allergens (when baby is exposed later, allergic reactions are less likely),
(2) speeding maturation of the protective barrier in baby’s intestines,
(3) coating the gut and providing a barrier to potentially allergenic molecules,
(4) providing anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of infections (which can act as allergy triggers).
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REDUCES CANCER RISK for mamas: Studies have found a significant inverse association between duration of lactation and breast cancer risk.
• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.
• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of uterine cancer.
• Breastfeeding reduces the risk of endometrial cancer
Other health benefits include:
• Reduced risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
• Protects against osteoporosis.
• Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease insulin requirements in diabetic women.
I never imagined our journey would be this successful. I never imagined they would want to continue this long. I get asked all the time how long I “plan” to continue…as if it’s totally my choice…and my answer is always, when WE are ready. At this point I feel it very likely we will make it to two years, but again, that’s only if they’re continuing interest.
Just like a mothers love, our breastmilk never expires.
