Kids Health Notes

The Benefits of Breastfeeding beyond One Year

by Grace on November 18th, 2007

Hi, my name is Angela and I am a breastfeeding counselor and mother of two. Grace invited me to share my thoughts on the benefits of breastfeeding. As I thought about the information I could share with readers of Kids’ Health Notes, I realized that most readers probably already know about the medical community’s general recommendation to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and for at least the first 12 months of a baby’s life. But what happens at one year? Do the benefits of breastfeeding end at the one-year
point? Absolutely not.

Research has shown that second-year milk is very similar to the first-year milk nutritionally (Victora, 1984). Even after two years or more it continues to be a valuable source of protein, fat, calcium, and vitamins (Jelliffe and Jelliffe, 1978). Kneidel, Sally. “Nursing Beyond One Year,” NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.

Of course, the breast milk continues to contain valuable antibodies as well. The American Academy of Family Physicians warns that children weaned before the age of two are at increased risk of illness.

Breast milk actually grows more concentrated in beneficial components over
time. In a fact sheet, Kellymom.com notes:

“Human milk expressed by mothers who have been lactating for >1 year has significantly increased fat and energy contents, compared with milk expressed by women who have been lactating for shorter periods. During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet might be significant.”
– Mandel 2005

In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL [almost 16 ounces, or two cups]
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
– Dewey 2001

So, if your pediatrician advises weaning at one year, gently ask, “Why?” Often you will find that the answer is “Because your baby can take cow’s milk now” or some other reason unrelated to breastfeeding. If your child is happily nursing, and you wish to continue the breastfeeding relationship, there is no medical (or psychological, for that matter) reason to wean at one year. In fact, there are a whole lot of medical reasons to continue!

For more breastfeeding information, support and news, check out Breastfeeding123.com.

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