This article has some interesting findings on the benefits of nursing babies and how it impacts their brains from the very start. It also touches on the shown benefits of nursing a child past one year in age.
Many times I've had parents ask how long they "should" nurse and the correct answer is there is no "should" in nursing! It's truly whatever is best for mom and baby, recognizing that the nursing relationship needs to be supported by the entire family unit as well. But evidence is now showing that ANY amount of breastmilk is beneficial to a baby even if it's the colostrum of the first couple days or a couple years of milk. Research is also showing evidence that nursing benefits last a life time, and nursing past a year IS beneficial for children.
So remember, nursing should continue as long as mutually beneficial and breastmilk doesn't ever stop benefitting your baby.
(Photo by the lovely Mae Burke of me nursing my 21 month old explorer.)
These are some of the sweet babies who attended the park date last weekend. I was at all of their births, and they range in age from a few weeks old to one cutie pie turning ONE the day we got together. There were four other babies in attendance whose births I witnessed but they were asleep/being worn/in their carseat when I thought to snap pictures so I missed one with them, but I hope to do these at least a few times a year so I'll snag them next time. It's a wonderful opportunity for me to catch up with my families, see their adorable babies growing, and for families to connect with each other. I made sure to invite the childbirth classes I taught over the last year and half, my doula and birth photography clients, as well as a local Baby Ladies group (some of whom I birth assisted for at the local birth center.) I set a date and location and baked some goodies, brought fruit and blankets, and then enjoyed the visit. 