Breastfeeding a newborn is amazing. Breastfeeding a toddler is also amazing.
Here are 22 reasons why I love nursing my 22-month-old.
1. It’s the only time my 22-month-old lets me scratch off her cradle cap.
2. It gives me a moment to look deeply into her gray blue eyes.
3. When I overeat (which I fear I’ve been doing a lot lately), I know she will help me by nursing off most of the calories.
4. I never have to worry that I’ll be somewhere with the baby and she won’t have anything to eat.
5. I never have to worry that I’ll be somewhere with the baby and she won’t have anything to drink.
6. She nurses to sleep, which makes bedtime go smoothly with my 22-month-old.
7. I’m trendsetting!
8. She is learning and changing so fast, making five-word sentences, climbing ladders, telling Mommy to “go ‘way,” that it’s especially nice to have this quiet, loving, skin-to-skin time together, like we had in her infancy.
9. I eat more fresh, colorful, plant-based foods knowing I’m eating for two.
10. I get to tell my neighbor, “through college,” when Anna asks me how long I plan to nurse.
11. Nursing lessens my risk of getting breast cancer.
12. I get some quiet uninterrupted time to read Middlemarch on my iPod while I’m nursing her to sleep lying on my side at bedtime.
13. Portable food for the museum visit, airplane ride, and playground.
14. Portable drink for the museum visit, airplane ride, and playground.
15. A chance to flash good-looking strangers.
16. A handy way to overcome jetlag since nursing is soporific for both of us.
17. She lets me nibble her toes (or shoves a foot in my face) while we’re nursing.
18. Sometimes even just the promise of “Sides” (which is what Leone calls nummies) is enough to quell a tantrum or fix a frustration.
19. This is my last baby. Chances are I’ll not lactate again after she stops nursing. Knowing that makes me appreciate it even more.
20. Nursing my 22-month-old is a good conversation starter.
21. I get to smooth her flaxen hair back from her forehead, inhale her sweet scent, and cuddle her when we’re nursing.
22. My older kids and their friends see breastfeeding every day, which reinforces for them that it’s normal, healthy, enjoyable, and something moms do.
Are you nursing a baby or a toddler? What are some of the things you love about nursing?
Related Content:
Mommy, I Want Nummies!
23 Reasons to Breastfeed Your Baby
Breastfeeding Good for Babies, Bad for Business
Published: September 23, 2011
Updated: December 26, 2019
Alisa Bowman says
I remember really missing nursing the first time I flew after she weaned. I’d always used my boob to keep her happy on airplanes before then. Once I weaned I felt really befuddled. Now what? I managed, but the boob was SO MUCH EASIER.
Alexandra says
This took me back years! I remember with my third child, being so conscious of the fact that I would never be nursing again and the very thought made me sad. It is such a special experience for both the mom and the child.
Kristen says
My youngest was a good nurser but it was so hard with the first two that I never made it over a year. Your little girl sure is a cutie.
YourPlusSizePregnancy says
Oh! You made me miss it so much. It is such intense bonding and such a warm wonderful feeling.
Myra lou says
My 20 month old is just three days weaned. It is bittersweet! I felt so ready to move on with our relationship, but then I think, what about when she gets an ear infection or has to fly on a plane?? etc….
Natalie says
I think that number 22 is so important. I babysat for a work at home mom in high school, and her modeling was so important in shaping who I became as a nursing mother. My younger daughter won’t take a bottle. (She’s 10 months old, and only in the last two weeks has she taken any interest in solids, so not taking a bottle when I’m at work has been a huge stress.) Her first caregiver when I went back to work (at 4 months old) asked us to please practice with the bottle on weekends, since our daughter wasn’t drinking well when she was with her. So we did, and she cried and fought it. Our older girl said, “What’s wrong with baby?” “Daddy’s trying to give her a bottle, and she doesn’t want it.” Her response? “Nurse her.” That was a proud moment for me, because my daughter sees nursing as something very normal. (I wasn’t proud about trying to force a bottle on the baby on weekends – we never did that again.) I have to admit that I’ve never loved nursing the way that other mothers do. It is, however, very important to me. I nursed my older daughter until she was two and plan to do the same this time. I want my girls to see it as normal and important.
Kimberly Ford says
I miss the D-cups I had when nursing my 22-month-old!
Kimberly Ford says
“Through college.” I love it.
Cassie says
#17 is true for us, too. She giggles when I nibble her toes, while keeping the suction going. That’s talent. 😉 My little girl is 17 months old and still nurses often. She has 5 “meals” and eats solids 3-4 times a day, but snacks throughout, especially when soothing from a cry.
Ashley says
The one about scratching off the cradle cap made me lol!
Cuddle time is my absolute favorite part about nursing a toddler. The are on the go so much and busy, busy, busy, I never get hugs and kisses any other time!
Ashley
DeeDee says
A bit late here, but had to reply when I saw the reference to Middlemarch – too funny! Am reading it now on my ipod and leaving my two year old on for a little longer after he falls asleep just to finish the chapter! LOL
Jennifer Margulis says
Thanks for reading DeeDee. This week I’m reading The Help, and before that I read two very different novels set in Nice, France. But I want to go back to the 19th century. Maybe The Mill on the Floss will be next!
Kindra Price says
Thanks for posting this! I have a 22-month old and a 2-month old. The 2-month old is happy and content, being breastfed everyday, but I stopped nursing my oldest (daughter) at 13 months. Now she’s almost two, she’s going through all these changes (right now she’s teething and spiking a fever because of it..yikes!!) has a new little brother sapping some of our attention away, and she’s doing her best to communicate to us making some phrases but mostly using small words and sounds. It’s a rough transition trying to understand each other, but I can’t shake the feeling that maybe I should nurse her again, just to make her feel better and let her know that I still love her very much. She’s such a sweet baby and I just don’t want her to feel left out.
Jennifer Margulis says
Kindra – my oldest two girls are 19 months apart. Breastfeeding my toddler and my newborn together (they would hold hands) was one of the best, sweetest, most peaceful things I’ve ever done. It’s amazing how nursing can help settle down a toddler and make her feel grounded. If your 22-month-old wants to nurse, maybe try it and see how it feels for both of you? It’s a hard transition from one to two. I’ve been there. (You can read this very frank, sad essay I wrote for Mothering.com on how hard it was for me to love my second born: http://mothering.com/jennifermargulis/newborn-care/are-you-a-bad-parent-if-you-don’t-have-enough-love)
Jodie says
I’m nursing my 22 month old (who looks just like your little one! Btw!) he’s also my baby and knowing this makes me want to nurse as long as possible. I love the snuggle time we get and every other reason you posted plus he never gets sick, he’s got the strongest immune system ever! Keep up the great work.