Toddler Breastfeeding:
Common Issues

If your toddler enjoys breastfeeding then there are many advantages to continue toddler breastfeeding. When your toddler is tired or needs soothing toddler breastfeeding can help calm him down, which could be especially helpful in the "terrible twos" stage. Sometimes toddler behaviour such as clinginess or being demanding is blamed on continued breastfeeding but this can happen whether your toddler is weaned or not.

Breast milk will continue to provide the goodness of immunities, vitamins and enzymes. In fact, some of the immunities are in greater amount in the second year of breastfeeding that in the first.

Toddler breastfeeding continues to provide a close relationship with you and a sense of security that can comfort your toddler as he explores the big wide world. If you are travelling or in a strange surrounding your toddler can easily feel secure by having a feed and having that intimate time with you.

Other people may be shocked to see a nursing toddler. So you have two options: either avoid breastfeeding your toddler when you are with them, or do it anyway and explain to them that it is no problem! It might be helpful to know that in many parts of the world today children wean themselves from the age of 3 and upwards.

As your baby grows into a vocal toddler you may find it convenient to teach your breastfeeding toddler to call breastfeeding an unobtrusive name - "I want boobi!" in a loud voice in a cafe may cause you unwanted attention!

If you feel your toddler is breastfeeding too much then check what is going on around him. Is something causing him stress? Is he getting enough quality attention from you, is a big change happening such as moving house? Try and see how he can be more settled and offer him a healthy snack such as an apple at regular intervals and soothing attention such as a cuddle and his favourite book.

Some toddlers want to continue breastfeeding during the night one or more times. He could be teething or perhaps he's hungry or thirsty and possibly needs a small snack before bedtime. Or it could be that he just wants to feel near to you. If breastfeeding during the night is a problem see our night weaning page for tips.

From time to time you also need to check that your toddler breastfeeding isn't a substitute for something else that your toddler needs. As you have been breastfeeding anyway, breastfeeding your toddler is so easy - it's there, it's always available. However, an older toddler may want to nurse simply because there isn't anything else to do - has your toddler got enough to stimulate him?

Also, a nursing toddler knows that he has your attention. Be sure that you are giving him enough attention outside of his toddler breastfeeding. Toddlers love to explore and talk - and this can be hard work for the parents! But as his parents you best understand his new chatter and special words. He needs a lot of your attention during his toddler years and this is fun as well as demanding.

So check that your toddler isn't just wanting you rather than wanting breastfeeding. Try any of the following:

• sit down and read stories together
• play with playdough together
• paint together
• go to the park and play
• go swimming
• arts and crafts
• going to the zoo or another exciting trip
• play the games HE wants to play!

In this way your toddler may be less interested in toddler breastfeeding because he is simply spending quality time with you. He may want breastfeeding too which is of course fine too. But the key thing here is that you are checking what your toddler's real needs are.

Toddler breastfeeding is a very personal decision and one that only you can make. Breastfeeding provides a very special closeness with your child and this may suit you, your partner and your child. Be flexible, go with the flow and adapt your breastfeeding or relationship with your child to suit.