I Nurture My 3-Year-Old, And I Honestly Don’t Care What Anyone Thinks About It

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“Me want mama milk now,” my little one exclaims, bouncing on the bed in his colorful pajamas, remnants of his older brother’s Christmas attire. He’s ready for bedtime.

“Let’s go to our cozy spot,” I respond, and he eagerly hops over to the far side of the queen bed, which has a twin sidecar attached. He curls up beneath the pillow, a picture of contentment.

“Mama milk, mama milk,” he sings cheerfully.

As I lie down next to him, I pull my collar down. He latches on, snuggling against me and starts to suckle happily. With my 3-year-old nestled close, I feel completely at peace. And you know what? I don’t care what anyone thinks about it. Yes, my little one still nurses to sleep and occasionally during the night. My older kids were night-weaned by 15 months when I became pregnant with their younger sibling. But with no new baby on the way for Sunny, there’s been no urgency to wean him. The bed is spacious enough, so why rush? I unapologetically nurture my 3-year-old.

If you ask him, he’ll proudly declare, “Me baby.” He often resists doing things because they’re meant for “big boys,” insisting he’s still tiny. However, that doesn’t stop him from achieving milestones, like being fully potty trained before his third birthday—much earlier than my older sons, who trained at 3½. He insists on holding my hand everywhere we go, which is sweet but can be challenging when I’m juggling a purse and library books. If not holding my hand, he’s clutching his oldest brother’s.

Sunny also loves being worn in a wrap during our hikes. After a certain distance, he wants to rest, so up he goes in a woven wrap. We even wear him at church because, while he behaves well, nobody wants to deal with a restless 3-year-old getting bored. After my husband injured his back, we agreed that having a wrap handy is a must. He goes up in Target, when he’s sad, or whenever I need to multitask. At 28 to 30 pounds, it’s a workout, but it’s manageable.

I breastfeed him, co-sleep with him, and hold his hand as much as possible. While some may view this as excessive, it works for us. Sunny is happy being the cherished baby, and I cherish that he still wants to be close. As an attachment parent, I believe he has every right to these comforts, as they provide him with security and a sense of belonging amidst his lively brothers.

There’s another reason I baby him: Sunny is our last biological child. Due to health issues and necessary treatments, expanding our family isn’t in the cards for us. He is the final baby I’ll breastfeed and co-sleep with, making every moment even more precious. I want to soak up all the love and connection I can while it lasts. Soon, he’ll be off on his own, hiking independently, and transitioning to his own bed—though he may sneak back into mine later in the night, just like his brothers did.

I’ve witnessed this transition twice already. I’ve seen my firstborn grow from 3 to 7, big enough to read chapter books and engage in more complex conversations. He finds Monty Python amusing and is now old enough to watch shows I can’t stand, like Ninjago. My 5-year-old is even learning to read.

So, I’ll continue to hold onto my baby for as long as I can. I won’t stifle his growth, and I won’t nurse him until he’s 5—that’s not our style. But I will relish every single moment of his babyhood. Above all, he’s happy, loved, and knows it. I couldn’t give him a more valuable gift.

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In summary, nurturing my 3-year-old through breastfeeding and co-sleeping creates a bond that enriches both of our lives. While others may have their opinions, I prioritize my child’s happiness and sense of security.