Most people believe that breastfeeding a child should be done only until the baby is 6 months to a year old. Since the baby is able to walk already and eat solid foods, milk can already be substituted for breast milk in the development of the child.

Lately, some parents and paediatricians have changed that view and believe that breastfeeding can continue on until the baby becomes older since milk that comes from the mother has the right concentration of fat, water, protein, sugar and antibodies which protect the toddler from harmful bacteria and viruses and helps defend against disease and infection better than any medicine available in the market.

Other benefits of prolonged breastfeeding for the mother and toddler are;

1. It provides time for the mother to bond with the baby giving a sense of security, warmth and comfort and strengthen the relationship between the two.

2. Breastfeeding counters the threat of picky eaters and children who miss out on certain vitamins and minerals from not eating certain types of foods such as vegetables and fruits.

3. Studies have shown that mothers who continue to breastfeed have lesser chances of developing cancer in the breast and in the ovaries.

4. Breastfeeding helps the toddler grow normally and avoid becoming overweight or obese in the future.

5. Lastly, toddlers who have been breastfed have shown to score higher in IQ tests compared to kids who did not.

6. Breastfeeding until the child is ready to wean promotes emotional growth. This has been noticed by parents and paediatricians who have seen these children grow up to emotionally secure and independent.

Breastfeeding may become a bit awkward for mothers as the infant becomes a toddler. For this, one can still continue breastfeeding with an aid of a breast pump. This may cost a lot or not depending on the model the person wants to buy and if it is done either manually or electronically.

Choosing a breast pump depends on the lifestyle of the mother. If that person is just going shopping for a few hours leaving the baby at home, then it is ok to just get a manual pump. However if the mother still decides to work even after the child is born then it is best to get an electronic one.

Breastfeeding equipment can be bought in a baby specialty store, the department store or from the hospital. This can also be rented if that person does not want to buy one. This can also be ordered from the internet and shipped to the mother in a few days.

Using a pump to extract milk instead of giving it from the breast of the mother is perfectly all right since the infant is still able to get the right amount of nutrients for the baby's growth and development. Solid foods can be combined with breastfeeding using the pump or from the breast as the baby gets bigger.

There will be a lot of changes as the baby grows older which both mother and toddler have to adjust to. Breastfeeding can do more than just give milk to the toddler. It gives quality time for both to share together. It also makes the mother feel better about disciplining the child and the toddler to reduce making tantrums when things do not go well.