Is breastfeeding something that comes natural to a woman? We're certainly created for this ability, but does this mean that all women will breastfeed their children? For many reasons, some women do not. What would make a woman decide to share such a relationship with her child?

When I was pregnant, I remember thinking that I would breastfeed until my child was 6 weeks old. I mean, this was the norm...right? At least, this is what most pediatricians tell their patients' mommies. Ok, I admit there was a bit of a rough start to nursing my child. Never will I forget how she refused feeding from my left breast for the first couple of weeks...no football hold, no reversed position or over the shoulder move would trick her into believing that it wasn't the left breast! I experienced engorgement in my left breast because of this, but I was saved by a wonderful breast pump: the Medela Pump in Style (I tried 2 smaller electric pumps that were horrible!). I contacted the hospital where I gave birth, and then La Leche League...both were a great help in supporting my decision to breastfeed my child. Neither told me that it just might not be right for me.

Eventually, my child began to nurse on both sides (yes!), but then I encountered other obstacles. Let's see...there were the sore boobs, blisters, breast infections...biting (OUCH)...why was I doing this to myself?

When I hit the 6 week mark, I told myself that I would breastfeed until at least 6 months. Becoming informed on the many benefits of breastfeeding had helped me decide to continue doing it, even though many people (including friends and family) had told me it was time to stop. And since I have a history of bad allergies, I wanted to make sure my daughter had the best start in life so she could possibly avoid the same allergies that I had.

At 6 months, I was still nursing. Having read so much on breastfeeding a child, I was convinced that nursing until at least 1 year would give my child the absolute best start in life. I had no thoughts on going past the 1 year mark, but I kept reading anyway. The more I read, the more I became strong in my decision and confident enough to share it with others. I began supporting breastfeeding advocacy, and tried to inform everyone who looked at me funny when I told them I was still nursing beyond 1 year. I remember this particular brief conversation with a previous dentist as clear as it was yesterday, where after I told him that I couldn't take any medication because I was still nursing. When he asked how old my child was, I told him that my daughter was over 2 years old. He said, "Most women don't usually nurse past 6 weeks". After providing him with a bit of reality, I quickly switched dentists :-).

In the end, I nursed my child until a month after her 3rd birthday, all the while knowing I was doing the right thing for the both of us. With "child-led weaning", our nursing relationship ended very quietly and discreetly. I don't think I could have breastfed this long if I didn't feel right about it. Many moms don't breastfeed for various reasons, but in the end, whatever the reason...you have to do what's right for you and your child.

Here are just a few important facts about breastfeeding past 6 months:
• Extended breastfeeding contributes to toddler health: "Breastfeeding was noted to decrease the number of infant illnesses and indirectly improve toddler health." - Source: Pediatric Nursing
• Breastmilk continues to supply important nutrients after 6 months: "Longitudinal decreases in milk concentrations of zinc, copper, and potassium, previously documented for the first 6 months, continued into the second 6 months, while protein, iron and sodium concentrations showed no further decline. Lactose, fat, calcium and magnesium concentrations were similar to those in earlier stages of lactation." - Source: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
• Breastfeeding contributes to dental health: "Among breastfed infants, the longer the duration of nursing, the lower the incidence of malocclusion." - Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine
• Articles that describe feelings, concerns, conflicts, and relations of women who breastfed their infants for more than 1 year: "A study involving 12 women who nursed past a year: The importance of the mother-child bond, especially for long-term breastfeeding mothers, needs to be understood by health care providers. Because of stigma, clients tend to keep long-term breastfeeding a secret, which inhibits effective client/provider relationship." - Source: Journal of Nurse-Midwifery
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