Breastfeeding a baby well past his first birthday is common world-wide and has been for centuries. Then why is the practice so often debated in modern American culture? According to Jewish law, compiled by literary master Rabbi Joseph Caro, a healthy baby can breastfeed until age four and that an unhealthy baby should be allowed to breastfeed until the age of five. We are all familiar with the research that breast-fed babies are more resistant to disease and infection early in life than formula-fed children. They are less likely to develop obesity, juvenile diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, and cancer before the age of fifteen. Research and common sense join forces here proving the wisdom of Jewish law, because the immunological benefits of breast milk continue as long as the baby is breastfeeding, which means breast milk has as many health benefits for a three year old as it does for a three week old.
The advantages aren’t limited to just the baby. Extended breastfeeding is beneficial for the mother as well. Studies show that there is a reduction of various cancers especially breast cancer in women that breastfeed. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) says that new mothers can directly lower their risk of both pre- and post-menopausal breast cancer by breastfeeding. The hormone estrogen fuels 80% of all breast cancers and since pregnancy and lactation reduce your estrogen levels, your risk is decreased each time you are pregnant and while you are nursing your baby. And, a new study has found that women carrying the BRCA1 gene were 32% less likely to develop breast cancer if they breastfed for at least a year compared with women with the gene who didn’t.
If a baby is happy and thriving, and the mom is still enjoying the experience, there is no reason to wean the baby. Many women feel pressured to terminate breastfeeding when a child reaches a certain age because of societal or peer pressure. It is important for women to understand that each child has different needs, and reaches developmental milestones at different ages. Some children begin speaking at nine months whereas others do not utter a word till age eighteen months, some crawl at seven months and others not until ten months. We need to begin to understand that when it comes to breastfeeding each child will need to breastfeed until a different age. The mother needs to look at each child as an individual, watch their development, understand what their child’s particular needs are and make decisions accordingly. And the mother needs to give herself the same consideration.
Sara Chana, IBCLC, RH (AHG) www.sarachana.com is a lactation consultant, classical homeopath, registered herbalist, doula and mother of seven children. She has worked with over 10,000 new moms and babies. She just launched an APP called Breastfeeding For Boobs which has 103 videos and a section on alternative medicine for moms that is available on iTunes and Google Play. It is an encyclopedia that fits in the palm of your hand. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sarachana.breastfeeding
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sara-chanas-breastfeeding/id743090884?mt=8