Breastfeeding Beyond Two Years: It is Normal!
Nona D. Andaya-Castillo
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (2004-2024)
Former Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations and Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide shares something in common with many children whose mothers were assisted by Breastfeeding Philippines. He was breastfed for four years!
Breastfeeding beyond two years has been a practice for nurturing children for many generations, but the rise of the artificial formula milk industry has made it less common.
Thankfully, with the growing advocacy for breastfeeding today, more and more women are empowered to reconnect with this tradition.
Though this indigenous practice was formally affirmed in an official World Health Organization (WHO) document in 2002, the WHO had already declared in 1986 that “the practice being introduced in some countries of providing infants with specially formulated milks (so-called ‘follow-up milks’) is not necessary.”
Mother’s and Child’s Delight!
Mothers are pleased to see their breastfed children more expressive, often calling the breasts or breastfeeding with affectionate, imaginative names and verbally expressing their satisfaction and gratitude to their mothers after nursing. Breastfed children also show fewer signs of boredom or insecurity, like thumb-sucking. One mother even taught her daughter to say grace before breastfeeding.
Many people, including medical practitioners, are unaware of the nutritional importance of breastfeeding beyond two years and may discourage mothers from continuing. However, significant amounts of nutrients necessary for a child’s development can still be obtained from breastfeeding, helping to prevent malnutrition. Since breastfeeding exposes children to the flavors of the foods a mother eats, they are less likely to become picky eaters.
Children under six are more vulnerable to illnesses. Just one teaspoon of breastmilk provides three million germ-killing cells, effectively combating harmful bacteria, viruses, and even parasites. As a child’s diet starts to include more solid foods, breastfeeding’s anti-infective properties reduce the severity of illnesses. If a breastfed child falls ill, breastfeeding may become their sole food source, ensuring that the child receives proper nutrition and fluids even when hospitalized or recovering.
Breastfeeding can also provide instant relief from pain when toddlers hurt themselves while exploring. One mother shared how she instinctively breastfed her child after he badly bruised his knees, calming him down immediately and making it easier to treat the wounds afterward.
The local phrase "nakukuha sa isang tingin" ("one look is enough") may apply to breastfed children, who are accustomed to strong eye-to-eye contact while breastfeeding. This helps them respond positively and appropriately to their mother's body language, avoiding emotional clashes. Tantrums can even be magically averted by nursing a cranky child.
Benefits for Mothers
Extended breastfeeding offers benefits for mothers as well. In Africa, where many children are breastfed beyond two years, mothers have been observed to delay menstruation for up to four years! This extended nursing period also provides protection against anemia, cancer, and osteoporosis.
Breastfeeding Beyond Two Years: The Social Benefits
There are numerous stories of mothers and children surviving emergencies thanks to breastfeeding. With the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods, ensuring breastfeeding at the community level should be a key component of disaster preparedness.
Breastfed children often display nurturing behaviors, including playing with and breastfeeding dolls, fostering an understanding that breastfeeding is the natural way to care for future generations. As adults, girls who were breastfed are more likely to breastfeed their children, while boys will support their wives in breastfeeding.
Men who were breastfed as children often view breasts as a source of nourishment rather than sexual objects. Fathers who witness their wives breastfeeding report a shift in how they perceive breasts—as nurturing, not sexual. Former UNICEF Country Representative to the Philippines, Nicholas Alipui, noted that breastfed boys tend to “remember that lifeline that you set apart in terms of relationship with your mother.” This bond fosters a natural instinct to protect the mother figure and extends to a more respectful attitude toward women, which can help prevent sexual aggression later in life.
Tips for Sustaining Breastfeeding Beyond Two Years
This advocacy has gained traction thanks to the combined efforts of government agencies, organizations like Nurturers of the Earth, and mothers who fought to reach the halls of the Senate, Congress, and the Supreme Court. During this campaign, we had the privilege of working with Ambassador Davide, who, even in his senior years, unabashedly proclaimed, “I love my mother so much!” to strangers like us. If you choose to breastfeed your toddlers and preschoolers, this could be your greatest reward!
Read Follow-Up Milk Is Not Necessary!
Nona D. Andaya-Castillo
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (2004-2024)
Former Philippine Ambassador to the United Nations and Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide shares something in common with many children whose mothers were assisted by Breastfeeding Philippines. He was breastfed for four years!
Breastfeeding beyond two years has been a practice for nurturing children for many generations, but the rise of the artificial formula milk industry has made it less common.
Thankfully, with the growing advocacy for breastfeeding today, more and more women are empowered to reconnect with this tradition.
Though this indigenous practice was formally affirmed in an official World Health Organization (WHO) document in 2002, the WHO had already declared in 1986 that “the practice being introduced in some countries of providing infants with specially formulated milks (so-called ‘follow-up milks’) is not necessary.”
Mother’s and Child’s Delight!
Mothers are pleased to see their breastfed children more expressive, often calling the breasts or breastfeeding with affectionate, imaginative names and verbally expressing their satisfaction and gratitude to their mothers after nursing. Breastfed children also show fewer signs of boredom or insecurity, like thumb-sucking. One mother even taught her daughter to say grace before breastfeeding.
Many people, including medical practitioners, are unaware of the nutritional importance of breastfeeding beyond two years and may discourage mothers from continuing. However, significant amounts of nutrients necessary for a child’s development can still be obtained from breastfeeding, helping to prevent malnutrition. Since breastfeeding exposes children to the flavors of the foods a mother eats, they are less likely to become picky eaters.
Children under six are more vulnerable to illnesses. Just one teaspoon of breastmilk provides three million germ-killing cells, effectively combating harmful bacteria, viruses, and even parasites. As a child’s diet starts to include more solid foods, breastfeeding’s anti-infective properties reduce the severity of illnesses. If a breastfed child falls ill, breastfeeding may become their sole food source, ensuring that the child receives proper nutrition and fluids even when hospitalized or recovering.
Breastfeeding can also provide instant relief from pain when toddlers hurt themselves while exploring. One mother shared how she instinctively breastfed her child after he badly bruised his knees, calming him down immediately and making it easier to treat the wounds afterward.
The local phrase "nakukuha sa isang tingin" ("one look is enough") may apply to breastfed children, who are accustomed to strong eye-to-eye contact while breastfeeding. This helps them respond positively and appropriately to their mother's body language, avoiding emotional clashes. Tantrums can even be magically averted by nursing a cranky child.
Benefits for Mothers
Extended breastfeeding offers benefits for mothers as well. In Africa, where many children are breastfed beyond two years, mothers have been observed to delay menstruation for up to four years! This extended nursing period also provides protection against anemia, cancer, and osteoporosis.
Breastfeeding Beyond Two Years: The Social Benefits
There are numerous stories of mothers and children surviving emergencies thanks to breastfeeding. With the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural and man-made disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods, ensuring breastfeeding at the community level should be a key component of disaster preparedness.
Breastfed children often display nurturing behaviors, including playing with and breastfeeding dolls, fostering an understanding that breastfeeding is the natural way to care for future generations. As adults, girls who were breastfed are more likely to breastfeed their children, while boys will support their wives in breastfeeding.
Men who were breastfed as children often view breasts as a source of nourishment rather than sexual objects. Fathers who witness their wives breastfeeding report a shift in how they perceive breasts—as nurturing, not sexual. Former UNICEF Country Representative to the Philippines, Nicholas Alipui, noted that breastfed boys tend to “remember that lifeline that you set apart in terms of relationship with your mother.” This bond fosters a natural instinct to protect the mother figure and extends to a more respectful attitude toward women, which can help prevent sexual aggression later in life.
Tips for Sustaining Breastfeeding Beyond Two Years
- Exclusively breastfeed your child for the first six months and ensure night feedings to boost milk supply.
- If you work outside the home, express breastmilk at least twice during the day.
- Offer your breasts to your child frequently when at home.
- Avoid using pacifiers and rubber nipples, especially if you're going on a trip that will separate you from your child.
- If your child refuses complementary foods at six months and is gaining weight well, continue breastfeeding exclusively.
- When introducing solid foods, breastfeed before offering complementary foods.
- Learn natural family planning methods to space pregnancies effectively before your child turns six months.
- Connect with other families who are breastfeeding beyond two years for social support.
- Politely address inquiries from friends and family about the importance of extended breastfeeding.
This advocacy has gained traction thanks to the combined efforts of government agencies, organizations like Nurturers of the Earth, and mothers who fought to reach the halls of the Senate, Congress, and the Supreme Court. During this campaign, we had the privilege of working with Ambassador Davide, who, even in his senior years, unabashedly proclaimed, “I love my mother so much!” to strangers like us. If you choose to breastfeed your toddlers and preschoolers, this could be your greatest reward!
Read Follow-Up Milk Is Not Necessary!
