5 myths banished about breastfeeding after the year

Breastfeeding is a diet based on the milk produced by the mother’s breast. This method is recommended by child health specialists during the first six months of life, not only to provide the baby with all the nutrients it needs, but also because it is a fundamental moment with which the child establishes affective bonds with the mother and facilitates the correct development of the newborn.

But, what would happen if we prolong the intake of breast milk beyond one year? Like many others, this topic generates some intrigue given the lack of information on the matter . For this reason, there are currently several myths and hoaxes spread in society about what would happen if we continue to breastfeed our child after the year.

Today in PregDream, we are going to tell you which are the best known myths and to dismantle their ideas. But before this, we want to clarify that doctors recommend it during the first six months , not because after these it is something negative for the baby, but because in those first six months it is of vital importance. Moreover, the prolonged breastfeeding beyond the year has many benefits both physically and psychologically for the mother and the child.

5 MYTHS ABOUT BREASTFEEDING AFTER THE YEAR

1. After the year the milk loses its nutritional value

Breast milk does not have an expiration date, so after three months, five or a year, its quality will remain the same. However, it is recommended that at that age, those older than breastfeeding be given a complementary diet, based on fruit, cooked vegetables, etc.

Its nutritional value will not decrease , in fact, after the year the milk you produce will continue to provide your child with important nutrients for their development, including fats, vitamins, proteins, and even the immune elements that it has, will increase.

2. If your child already has teeth, you have to stop nursing:

The fact that your child is teething is not a reason to stop breastfeeding. Generally, this is said because of the fear that the action of breastfeeding may hurt, but what is not known is that involuntarily when your child feels the liquid come out, he puts his tongue over the teeth to be able to suck , preventing in this way that it can hurt you. In the event that he bites you, he is not drinking milk, so you can remove him and explain that he should not bite.

3. If you breastfeed your child last year, he will become more dependent

There are many mothers who stop breastfeeding their children for fear that in the future they will be very dependent on them, but the reality is that prolonged breastfeeding causes the opposite. We have already said that with this method the baby establishes affective bonds with the mother, and thanks to these he generates confidence in her and in himself, provides him with security, tranquility, etc., with which in the future he will be able to develop his self-esteem, self-concept, responsibility and autonomy in a more positive way , being more independent.

4. It is not necessary to breastfeed after the year because it stops having health benefits

This is one of the most widespread myths in today’s society, but in reality breastfeeding is not without benefits, for example: breast milk after the year continues to offer your child immunity to certain diseases. It should be noted that according to much research, children who have been fed with prolonged breastfeeding are less likely to fall ill.

5. Breastfeeding for more than a year causes problems for the mother

Breastfeeding for a year is not that it does not harm the mother, but that it has many benefits. Some of them are:

– Lower risk of type two diabetes.

– Less likely to get ovarian cancer.

– Less risk of hypertension or heart attacks.

– Less likely to get breast cancer.

– Protects against osteoporosis

SO THERE IS NO DEADLINE FOR BREASTFEEDING MY CHILD?

Of course not, since it is a natural act with multiple benefits. The duration of breastfeeding only depends on you, your child and the needs of both.

Therefore, from PregDream, we encourage you to continue breastfeeding until you can.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

We have already mentioned some of the many benefits that prolonged breastfeeding has for both the child and the mother, at all levels. However, here we leave a series of the most important:

– Breast milk continues to provide the key nutrients for their development.

– During breastfeeding the baby will be protected against many diseases.

– Children who have been breastfed for a long time have fewer allergies in the future.

– Prolonged breastfeeding makes them grow up being more confident, autonomous, cheerful, etc.

– Provides greater confidence and a closer bond with the mother.

– Prolonged breastfeeding improves the mother’s health, both physically and psychologically.

– Facilitates a transition gradually until reaching childhood.