Five Benefits of Extended Breastfeeding

Welcome back to Keep Britain Breastfeeding 2012! This week participating bloggers are sharing the benefits of breastfeeding. To keep up to date with all the posts and giveaways, please consider subscribing  to Keep Britain Breastfeeding.When I started breastfeeding my daughter exactly 5.5 years ago, I had no idea how long I would breastfeed her. Luckily for us,we didn't have any problems starting off our journey and on the way,other than a few blebs I didn't encounter any problems.My daughter was an avid nurser and so we continued. At one point when she was about 4 months old, I decided I would let her self wean when she feels ready. After 5.5 years, I feel she is very close to that point.In the meantime,we had another baby who is now 2.5 years old.Today I want to share the benefits of extended breastfeeding from my perspective:1. Providing my children lots of nutrients with the breast milk that is still very nutritious in toddlerhood and beyond. 2.When my children got ill, when they had fevers and no appetite, it has been such a relief to be able to breastfeed them. It puts  my mind at ease since I know they do get some nutrients via my milk and it keeps them hydrated.3.There is no scientific explanation to this but it has been said that breastfeeding makes toddlers mellower. In my experience it is so true!4.Children  get ill very frequently when they start to nursery/preschool. Our experience with both kids was on the contrary. I like to think that breastfeeding makes their immunity stronger.5.Breastfeeding also provides emotional benefits:  It is not only about nutrition especially after toddlerhood when they are perfectly fine with other foods. They children find comfort and security during breastfeeding. I cannot claim it is always easy breastfeeding so long,you do get overwhelmed at times. But the benefits definitely overweigh such feelings.