I’m currently nursing my 2-year-old, Max, and my 5-year-old, Liam. Yes, I’m one of those tandem breastfeeders you hear whispers about! I don’t share many pictures of Liam nursing anymore since he mostly does it at bedtime or for a split second during the day when he feels like it. So, the bulk of my photos feature Max, who’s still in that adorable baby phase and nurses quite frequently.
Recently, someone commented on a photo I posted on social media, stating, “He’s too old to breastfeed.” I was a bit shocked because I thought I had posted a picture of Max. I double-checked and, sure enough, it was Max — the little one! Apparently, 2 years is considered ancient in the breastfeeding world. I had to hold back the urge to post a picture of Liam in response and ask what they thought of that!
There is so much wrong with this mindset that it’s hard to know where to start. Our society pushes children to grow up way too fast. While Max may not be a newborn, have you spent time with a 2-year-old? They’re still very much in the baby realm, albeit with some toddler-like babbling and a unique approach to coordination. To me, he still feels like a baby, and I’m certainly not looking to speed up his growth.
This obsession with labels only adds to the pressure that our kids need to act older than they are. At the playground, I often hear parents say things like, “Watch out for the baby!” and honestly, it feels right. I was guilty of rushing my first child, Liam, into the next phase too. When he turned 1, I was thrilled to call him a toddler! Looking back at those photos, I see him as baby Liam.
Right now, I’m going by what feels right. Just because Liam can articulate like a mini-adult doesn’t mean he’s not still quite young. He’s closer to being a baby than a grown-up. As for Max, he still feels very much like a little one, and I’ll keep calling him a baby until he decides he wants to grow up.
Is a 2-year-old really too old to breastfeed? What a bizarre notion! Was he too old at 23 months? Or 22 months? Who exactly wrote the rulebook on breastfeeding, and where can I get a copy? Someone should probably inform Max that he’s “too old” — he appears blissfully unaware, nursing happily throughout the day and night. It’s as if he believes this is entirely normal!
Women already face enough challenges; the stigma surrounding breastfeeding and our bodies is overwhelming. It’s truly disheartening when someone can look at a mother lovingly feeding her child and deem it wrong. A 2-year-old? Really?
I love reflecting on how my views have evolved over the years. To me, Max feels like a young nursling, and Liam just feels like home. I know that years ago, I would have thought nursing a 5-year-old was outlandish. But here we are! If you think my choices are odd, that’s fine — I didn’t ask for your opinion anyway.
For more insights on similar topics, check out our other blog posts at Home Insemination Kit. And for more authoritative information, visit Make a Mom and the excellent resource at American Pregnancy.
In summary, breastfeeding a 2-year-old is completely normal, and societal pressures to rush children into adulthood are misguided. It’s essential to embrace each child’s unique journey without judgment or unnecessary labels.