Toddlers between the ages of 12 and 24 months benefit from breastfeeding.
There has been little research on nursing beyond the age of two, but from the research before the age of two, there is a lot of great benefits. So moms who nurse toddlers, sing its praises! I know I sure will.
If you haven't discovered Kelly Mom (kellymom.com) yet, then you ought to. As a breastfeeding mom, this site is chock full of answers and questions to your every day nursing needs.
According to Kelly Mom and its researched experts, here are the nutrients found in breastmilk after that first year of a little one's life:
In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:
- 29% of energy requirements
- 43% of protein requirements
- 36% of calcium requirements
- 75% of vitamin A requirements
- 76% of folate requirements
- 94% of vitamin B12 requirements
- 60% of vitamin C requirements
I found this interesting: A study done in Bangladesh found that breastmilk beyond the first year is a significant source of Vitamin A for the nursing toddler. Vitamin A deficiency is often found in undeveloped countries where left untreated and at its worse can cause irreversible blindness!
Well, my nursing toddler just so happens to be poking at the screen, causing me irreversible laptop blindness, so I should go. ;)
To read more, click here and visit Kellymom.com!
4 Comments:
That's awesome info!! Good to know that just that small amount of milk has so much good stuff.....especially because I found my youngest to nurse very little near the end. It's nice to hear that the little bit still did lots of good!!
(Breastfeeding envy felt here!)
But I certainly am not starting now! LOL!
That's good to know about the nutrients but I'm confused as our pediatrician has just told us to give our breastfed baby Vit A, C and D supplement. It's seem odd when breastmilk is supposed to be designed to offer all nutrients. Did you supplement with Vitamin D?
I've found breastfeeding to be much more confusing, complex and therefore stressful than I expected so I created a survey at:
http://www.opiniondb.com/DoSurveyList.aspx?id=99aaf44d-a5e3-40bc-8bd0-3be1a0143748
I'd like to see what others thinks and hope it'll be helpful to those currently pregnant and planning.
Hi Olivia. I don't have a way to answer your questions. I never supplemented vitamins. My doctor did recommend supplementing iron, but after researching the subject, I found that it wasn't necessary. I've read it's more important after 6 months, but iron fortified cereals are often fed infants after 6 months. My daughter refused cereals and baby food, but I made sure she ate lots of other things fortified with iron.
Post a Comment