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1978) and by offering the child more varied and more palatable foods to improve his or her appetite (Rohde, 1988; Tangermann, 1988; Underwood, 1985).

Furthermore, nursing toddlers are sick less often (AAFP 2001), have fewer allergies and achieve higher IQ scores.

Protestors will say, however more healthy they may be, what does it do to the child socially? There is, of course, an answer. The following was published by Sally Kneidel in her article "nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103):

"Research reports on the psychological aspects of nursing are scarce. One study that dealt specifically with babies nursed longer than a year showed a significant link between the duration of nursing and mothers' and teachers' ratings of social adjustment in six- to eight-year-old children (Ferguson et al, 1987). In the words of the researchers, 'There are statistically significant tendencies for conduct disorder scores to decline with increasing duration of breastfeeding.'"

As if the benefits to the toddler were not enough, there are also significant benefits to the mother. Nursing past one year reduces the mother's risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, endometrial cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Breastfeeding even helps protect against osteoperosis.

Clearly, there are many benefits to nursing past one year. Saying four is "too old" or that there are no benefits is only ignorance of the facts. Breastfeeding is a wonderful thing and those who choose to go beyond the dutiful twelve months should receive applause.

Learn more about this author, Lacey Kirsch.
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