breastfeeding a toddler

i'm having concerns over breastfeeding my toddler. i've been waiting for Cruz to self-ween, and i figure he knows what he needs. i have no issues with feeding my son in public because i can control where we feed. if we are out and about and he wants boob, i just tell him we have to wait till we get home and he understands. usual feedings are before naptime and before bed and off and on during the night since Cruz sleeps in our bed. it's just sometimes it's too much.. i need a break or i need to get something done and Cruz only wants me to put him to sleep, well, actually he wants the boob to put him to sleep.

tonight, i told him no boobie and he cried and cried. i felt so bad! i tried to comfort him but nothing worked. when he calmed down enough i asked him what he needed to make it all better and replies, "boob." adorable.. so i gave in and breastfed him until he fell asleep.

i read through La Leche League's website for some advice. it said:

"Breastfeeding a toddler helps with the child's ability to mature. Although some experts say a toddler who is not weaned will have difficulty becoming independent, it's usually the fearful, clingy children that have been pushed into situations requiring too much independence too soon. A breastfeeding toddler is having his dependency needs met. The closeness and availability of the mother through breastfeeding is one of the best ways to help toddlers grow emotionally.

Breastfeeding can help a toddler understand discipline as well. Discipline is teaching a child about what is right and good, not punishment for normal toddler behavior. To help a toddler with discipline, he needs to feel good about himself and his world. Breastfeeding helps a toddler feel good about himself, because his needs are being met."

source: www.lalecheleague.org


this made me feel even worse. i felt i was being selfish by pushing my son into weaning before he was ready. i really don't mind breastfeeding him. i love the closeness and bond we get from it, but like i said before, sometimes i just need a break. i'm just not sure how to get a break while still breastfeeding.

also, i think some of this pressure to ween my child comes from American society where it is not the norm to continue breastfeeding after age one. i honestly don't know a single mother who even breastfed their child till their first birthday.. most quit after the first time their baby bit them, or they claim their child simply didn't want boob anymore around nine months. however, these same moms think it's great that i still breastfeed, and everyone including my family has been supportive, so i have no reason to feel i'm doing anything wrong.

i still think continuing to breastfeed is best for Cruz as long as he thinks he needs it, so i'm not going to punish him by taking away the boob. i love him so much and i want his needs to be met.. that's what is most important!