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Mothers usually breastfeed their newborns at least up until the age of six months. Doctors and experts across the globe recommend breastfeeding for at least six months. In fact, they encourage mothers to continue breastfeeding for the entire year. However, extended breastfeeding i.e. breastfeeding even after the child is one year old, comes with numerous benefits. Some experts say that you should continue breastfeeding until your body is no longer capable of producing enough milk for your baby. This can be for two years or more too. You can continue to breastfeeding while providing supplements simultaneously too. In the United States, extended breastfeeding is actually uncommon even though it showers upon the mother and the baby numerous emotional and physical benefits. Claim Your 20 Free Pregnancy Tests – Click Here
Listed below are some of the main benefits of extended breastfeeding and why it is a good idea to go for it:
If you go for extended breastfeeding, your child will be safe from a number of chronic diseases, which haunt many children today. At the very least, breastfeeding will reduce the severity of these problems. Childhood obesity, obesity later on in life, cancers, type II diabetes, and asthma are classic examples of this.
Children that are breastfed for longer are less likely to be inflicted by these problems in their life.
Research has also shown that extended breastfeeding helps children develop their intelligence. Those who are breastfed for long grow up to be very intelligent kids and adults. In a study, young adults were studied and it was found that those who were breastfed for longer were more intelligent than those who weren’t. The children were put through intelligence tests and the prior group scored more.
The incidence of allergies and illnesses is also lower in children who are breastfed for longer.
Extended breastfeeding not just helps at the health level but it also helps at the emotional level. Kids who are breastfed for longer are emotionally more stable and their bond with their parents is much stronger than the others.
Breastfeeding helps the mother too. This is something that not many people actually know. There are numerous benefits that the mother experiences. For example, she is less likely to suffer from a number of different types of cancer such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. The incidence of breast cancer, especially, was significantly lower. The risks of developing arthritis and type II diabetes have also found to be lower in mothers who choose extended breastfeeding for their child.
Another great benefit – one, which most mothers will love – is weight loss. Indeed breastfeeding will help you burn calories and reduce weight significantly. The more you breastfeed, the more weight you will lose. You don’t even need to go for dieting and special exercises.
It is sad that many people in the United States frown upon extended breastfeeding. Awareness is required to educate people of the benefits and to encourage them to go for it. There is nothing wrong in breastfeeding an older baby. There are only benefits associated with extended breastfeeding and nothing should stop you from going for it.