Published online November 1, 2004
PEDIATRICS Vol. 114 No. 5 November 2004, pp. 1506-1509 (doi:10.1542/peds.2004-1721V)
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SUPPLEMENT ARTICLE

Parental Concerns About Extended Breastfeeding in a Toddler*

Abbreviations: breastfeeding • extended breastfeeding

The first 300 words of the full text of this article appear below.


   CASE
 
Matthew, a healthy 18-month-old toddler, is seen for a health-supervision visit. The dietary history reveals that Matthew is breastfeeding and eats a variety of fruits, vegetables, cheese, yogurt, and grains. He is able to feed himself with a spoon, although he prefers to use his fingers. His height, weight, and head circumference have followed the 50th percentile, and developmental milestones are appropriate for 18 months. Matthew's mother is conflicted about continuing to breastfeed. Matthew often pulls at her shirt and puts his hand down her shirt when they are out in public. He seems to want to breastfeed when he is upset or in a new or unfamiliar situation. She is aware of some of the benefits of breastfeeding, and after checking with the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site, she discovered that extended breastfeeding is encouraged. Matthew's mother asks her pediatrician for guidance.

 

Parental Concerns About Extended Breastfeeding in a Toddler,*

Martin T. Stein, MD

University of California
Children's Hospital San Diego
San Diego, California

The links between nutrition, developmental maturation, behavior, and culture are found in each health-supervision visit in early childhood. Pediatricians are aware of these connections when they participate in decisions about initiating and extending breastfeeding. Following the popularity of formula feeding in the middle of the last century, breastfeeding has emerged during the past 30 years as the best nutritional source for infants. Breastfeeding of infants provides advantages in general health, growth, and development and reduces the risk for many acute and chronic diseases. Numerous studies suggest potential health benefits for mothers.1

Approximately 60% of women in the United States breastfeed either exclusively or in combination with formula feeding at the time of hospital discharge; however, only 25% of mothers nurse at 6 months, often supplementing with formula. The highest rates of breastfeeding are observed among higher-income, college-educated women over 30 years of age living in the Mountain and Pacific regions of the United States. Several factors . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Eyla G. Boies, MD

University of California
Children's Hospital San Diego
San Diego, California

David M. Snyder, MD

Valley Children's Hospital
Fresno, California
University of California
San Francisco, California