About Breastfeeding > Breastfeeding 2 years & beyond > Why Breastfeed a Toddler

The WHO recommendation of breastfeeding up to two years and beyond is a guideline. An increasing number of mothers find that they enjoy breastfeeding enough to continue beyond that. It used to be that breastfeeding until three or four years of age was common in much of the world and it is still so in many societies. Your breastmilk is constantly changing and adapting its components to the needs of your child at every stage. The nutritional value of breastmilk is still important at the toddler stage and, in fact, the immunological components increase because Mother Nature knows that your toddler is now in contact with a variety of bacteria and viruses in his environment so the immune factors increase to protect him. Unfortunately, some mothers report that they don’t receive a lot of support from family and friends who perhaps don’t understand the unique bond of breastfeeding a toddler. There are wonderful peer groups for mothers who are breastfeeding their toddlers. Find a La Leche League group nearest you or visit www.lllc.ca.