Why is my Toddler Nursing So Often?

This is part seven in our series “Why Does My Baby Do That?!”. This post will cover why your toddler is suddenly nursing more than ever. 

You’ve probably heard this before but breastmilk is a living thing. It is always changing and it is packed full of all the things your tiny baby needs. But did you know that it has nutrients and antibodies that toddlers need too? Your body knows how to change the composition of the milk to meet the needs of your baby whether they are six months or three years old. So it’s no wonder that if it’s such magical stuff that your baby wants more of it, right?! Well, toddlers who are eating the same foods you are may be nursing for a number of reasons. Social media would have you believe that everyone else’s toddler is eating everything the adults are but let’s be honest, they are just eating crackers and yoghurt and carrots, maybe, if you’re lucky. It’s ok. Eventually they will eat something else, hang in there mama. 

Back to nursing. Nursing for toddlers is about food but it’s so much more than that. It’s about connecting, it’s about checking in, it’s about comfort, it’s about boo-boos, it’s about nurture. And sometimes it’s nursing all.night.long while other times it’s 5 second check ins just to make sure the boobs are still there and available to them. For a nursing toddler, breastfeeding is part of their relationship with you. They don’t know any different. They’ve always found comfort in your arms and at your breast so why should the rules change just because they’re a little bigger? That wouldn’t make sense to a toddler so while they are busy exploring the great wide world, they want to know that some things won’t change, that some things will be there for them whether they’re hungry, thirsty, or just wanting to reconnect. 

Toddlers are busy little people. Nursing more often is how they keep some consistency in their ever-changing world. So whether your little wants to nurse all night or off and on throughout the day, they are trying to be big brave kids but they still are your baby who needs the comfort and support you offer through breastfeeding.

Society, your family, your friends, heck, even your doctor might think it’s time for you to stop nursing your toddler. (Have you seen that video of the pediatrician telling the parent that it’s time to stop nursing because he’s manipulating the parent? Bleh. I hope the parents reported that doctor to the medical board for giving incorrect and damaging medical advice wrapped in a judgmental and non-scientific spiel. Again, bleh.) But here’s the bottom line, you and your child get to decide how long to nurse. The science says that breastmilk is ever-changing and is beneficial through the toddler years. So you parent your baby the way you want to and you decide how long to nurse your baby. You do you, mama. I’ve got your back.

And if you need more evidence for someone who tells you breastmilk isn’t beneficial after one year, come back soon for the next blog on that exact topic.