Saturday, February 4, 2012

What are the health benefits of breast milk for a 3-year old?

I pump for my 8-month old, and also give about 8-10 ounces of bm to my 3-year old. I mix it in with his regualr milk. I haven't been freezing any lately since all that I pump goes to the boys now. I have a 2-month stash in the freezer. I'm trying to decide how much longer I want to pump.



I'm familiar with the health benefits of bm for the baby, but what about my older child? He actually only received about 2 months worth of bm when he was a baby, so I like that I can give it to him now. On the other hand, I'm sick of pumping.



Does the bm help with brain development and immunity at 3? What does he lose if I stop giving him bm?What are the health benefits of breast milk for a 3-year old?Sure, he would still benefit from it. Especially the immune factors. And of course he would still receive nutrition from it as well. It would be just one part of his whole healthy diet, the same as an apple is just one part of it. At that age, all of it goes together to create a healthy diet. Absolutely nothing at all wrong with giving him pumped milk. Many 3 year olds are still nursing at the breast anyway. (Which is NORMAL and HEALTHY too!) You might consider if you want to keep it up through the cold and flu season and then decide if you really are tired of pumping and want to quit.What are the health benefits of breast milk for a 3-year old?
I loved the question %26amp; I loved the answer. I do NOT understand why people are so squeamish about breast milk %26amp; flip out when a mother chooses to extend breastfeeding past one year. It is the best gift a mother can give a child, it's natural %26amp; healthy.

Thank goodness your voices are out here!!

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What are the health benefits of breast milk for a 3-year old?breast milk is only beneficial to the immune system for the first 6 months. At 3, regular milk would probably be more beneficial due to calcium.
It has the same benefits for your older child. The longer you do it, the more benefits. However, if you want to quit giving breastmilk to the three-year-old, he will be fine. I will say that because of your younger child, I wouldn't recommend quitting pumping any time soon. The World Health Organization recommends nursing until at least 2. Obviously your baby/almost toddler will be okay if you stop, but studies show even babies breastfed 18-24 months are healthier than those breastfed 12-18 months.What are the health benefits of breast milk for a 3-year old?Jeez lady let the kid grow up he's not a baby any more. When I had my second son I never had a thought of giving my then 2 yr. old breast milk. You have some issues to work on seriously.What are the health benefits of breast milk for a 3-year old?
as far as I've read there are no benefits from a 3 year old having breast milk. He needs to develop his own immune system to help him fight off colds on his own.

I'd stop the whole thing...pumping and all......your poor boobies need a rest! lol
If you're sick of pumping, stop. Whole milk will be just fine for him, and if he's current on his vaccinations, then he will be ok.What are the health benefits of breast milk for a 3-year old?
Actually the only benefit he would getting now is the same as then, a boost to the immune system. The colostrum b-milk is the most potent with antibodies though, and since he did have this when he was younger you are just reinforcing the immune system. He will just lose the jolt to the immune system, which is cool because now he is old enough to drink orange juice, which actually performs the same thing.



As for those who were being rude and obnoxious, I will have you know that in many cultures children are b-fed up to 6 years of age, there is nothing gross or disgusting about this. I respect the fact that a woman would continue to boost her child's immune system, it is not like he is 15! That would be a different story, we are speaking of a toddler here and he is not latching on, he is receiving some that has already been pumped. Before making comments maybe you should use some sense and have a little respect.
After a year a toddler is able to have regular milk. There really is no extra health benefits of breast milk after that, but more of a bonding with mother and child. I nursed my son till he was 2, but only as a comfort method for him when he was tired or just wanted to snuggle.
At 3 hes not losing out on anything if you stop. he can get lots of good valuble nutrients from "adult" food now that he can chew with his teeth( its different when the milk is your only source of nutrition) hes not a baby anymore.besides the most important time was 0-12 mos, and you cant make that up now. i would give him regular milk now it would make things alot easier on you.
i dont think there are any benefits for a 3 yr old to have any bm. stop pumping for the older one
good god, woman! He's THREE!! Cut the apron strings! That is just weird and wrong!
wow. You give breast milk to the 3 year old?? A little weird....



At this stage it does squat. You can't make up for lost time when he was younger, it doesn't work that way. His body is developed enough to fight off infection with his own immunity and you're not giving him any "extra" nutrients that he isn't already getting from food. Cut the cord mama.
I'm impressed you were able to pump that long. My milk dried out within 3 weeks of pumping only.



I'd say you should have given it all up about 2 years ago
The health benefits from breast milk are fully received by the time a baby is 1 year old. The importance of immunity is greatest in the first 3 months of life. Brain development is well along for your 3 year old. There is no real reason for your 3 year old to have breast milk, but it won't hurt him at all. There are no health benefits from breast milk for a 3 year old.
*sigh*



I say you just keep pumping and send it to school with him in a couple years.



THAT will be fun at show and tell.
he's THREE. there are no health benefits after 1



also.. u should get rid of wuts in the freezer, it can only last to no longer then 3 months..

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