Natural Term Breastfeeding
When we look at many cultures around the world (along with some in the UK), where breastfeeding has got off to a good start, many families choose to breastfeed until their infant has reached a natural end.
If we look at the physiology of infants bodies their noses stay close to the face mirroring when their teeth tend to change from milk teeth anywhere between age 5-7. It is believed that this is linked to a natural end in breastfeeding for humans as mammals. Historically in less medicalised times and countries infants may not be able to get adequate nutrition from solid foods and immunity would be lower due to lack of vaccine availability so breast milk was utilised for its strengths and health benefits. Like a continued medicine – liquid gold!
Whilst feeding an infant until this age in the UK may be for the minority the World Health Organisation promotes exclusive breastmilk for babies until 6 months and continued breastfeeding alongside the introduction of solid foods beyond 2 years old age until either the infant or mother wishes to stop.
The health and emotional benefits of breastmilk beyond this point stays important for both mother and baby.
We know for example that beyond 6 months of age breast milk increases in lysosymes, these are important enzymes in breastmilk that break down the walls of bacteria, providing essential immune system support. They are seen in particularly high concentrations in colostrum and then again are boosted from 6 months. This is likely due to bacteria increase once foods are introduced, altering and protecting the gut microbiome.
Natural term breastfeeding provides important emotional regulation for both mother and infant, the evidence shows continued increased oxytocin levels and reduced cortisol levels whilst feeding and beyond. This may be especially important in infants with ADHD or emotional dysregulation disorders and a breastfeed can act as a form of emotional ‘reset’.
There are barriers within our society to breastfeeding beyond infancy as it is often unspoken about, hidden and shamed. Western influences and parenting practices often can interrupt an infants biological breastfeeding timelines or have differing opinions of when it is appropriate to breastfeed until. In complete opposition to how many mothers face barriers and hurdles commencing breastfeeding, so do many who are feeding beyond the social “norm”.
Often breastfeeding ceases due to factors outside of maternal or child control such as lack of support, lack of cultural norms, illness, separation or return to work. Mothers and infants also may choose to cease breastfeeding long before this age and this is also to be supported and commended.
So what can the general pubic do to help? Firstly we can create judgement free public spaces. Café owners can put up breastfeeding friendly signs and create breastfeeding friendly spaces for newer mothers keen to feed in public but perhaps still a bit all fingers and thumbs. Nurseries and education settings can be supportive of mothers feelings who are sending in their infants with advice on maintaining milk supply, supporting transition to nursery setting when all they may have known is settling their child by breastfeeding. We can use supportive language when talking about breastfeeding older infants rather than negative comments or judgement. Work places can be supportive and flexible when it comes to night shifts, childcare arrangement and flexible hours. Workplaces can and should provide paid time for mothers to express and safe spaces to store their breastmilk should they still need to/wish to. Health care professionals including medical staff, dentists, health visitors and social care should be educated into the benefits of extended breastfeeding and recognise the weight their advice and comments carry.
All mothers should be supported to feed their babies/infants how they want to, when they want to, where they want to
#closingthegap #worldbreastfeedingweek2024