The most difficult problems mothers face in nursing beyond infancy results from criticism from others. She advocates connecting with others who have practiced extended—family, friends, the La Leche League. It is in the second year that mothers are most likely to encounter questions and criticism. As few one-year-olds have the ability to respond reliably to explanations and delays, it’s easier, more peaceful, and kinder to the child to simply nurse whenever she needs it, and deal as pleasantly as possible with any questions or criticisms. “Too bad we must cope with something so unnatural as widespread belief we should not nurse our babies, and that our one-year-olds are not babies anyway.”

While many children at this age are weaned and happy about it, and others only nursing to sleep or wake, some, like my daughter, may use it to get over rough spots and calming tensions during the day. This did not mean that every time Siena was upset I offered her the breast. I virtually never initiated nursing and although her requests to do so slowly but surely declined. At age six she still loved to suckle on occasion as we drifted off to sleep at night.

Priceless

A long and happy beginning at the breast is priceless, not just for our child�s wellbeing, it is also important to our growth and wellbeing as mothers. Mother, as well as child, can be frustrated by premature weaning.

The pity is that the source of such frustration is not usually from a child who chooses to wean too quickly on his own, but in customs and social restrictions that interfere with the normal course of nursing and mothering. —Norma Jean Bumgarner

Source

Bumgarner, Norma Jean, Mothering Your Nursing Toddler
Written with warmth and wisdom, this book offers a wealth of material on everything from how to prepare for nursing, to how to respond to criticisms from others, and prepare for a natural weaning.

---