Getting Irish mothers to breastfeed at all is still a problem, but for a growing minority the breastfeeding relationship is so successful that they continue past the child's first birthday. Contrary to the old wives' tale, breastmilk doesn't turn to water after the first year. Nor does it deplete the mother's own resources. In fact, the longer a mother breastfeeds, the greater the benefits for her. Several medical studies support the argument that the longer a mother nurses, the greater her immunity becomes to osteoporosis, breast cancer and a host of other illnesses. The advantages for the child's immune system and overall health are scientifically proven. The American Academy of Pediatrics, which previously suggested mothers breastfeed for six months, revised its recommendation to "at least one year" in 1997. The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding for two years and according to La Leche League International, the average age of weaning worldwide is 4.2 years.
Maternity leaves in the Republic are too short, which means that many mothers have no choice but to wean babies within the first 12 weeks of life so that they can return to work outside the home. It's exhausting and difficult to stop in the middle of the day to pump milk (not to mention the milk leakages on the power suit).
Yet many mothers do it successfully, while others manage to breastfeed morning and night, while childminders give the child bottles of formula during the day. Cliona, a mother in her 30s, breastfed her four children until they were three, even breastfeeding two simultaneously. "For me, this was a natural function and I think it has made my children feel more secure," she says. The psychological impact on children of being breastfed while they are old enough to walk, talk and unbutton Mummy's blouse is controversial and mothers may find themselves under pressure from family and friends to wean. Some people believe it makes children more clingy.
However, there is no psychological evidence that breastfeeding past two years affects the child's development and personality in any but the most positive ways. For more information and advice on breastfeeding, log on to parenthoodweb.com
