Breastfeeding has many benefits for both the baby and the mother, and the World Health Organization (WHO) does recommend breastfeeding until the baby is 2 years old. However, whether or not it is harmful depends on a variety of factors, including your baby's overall nutritional needs, dietary variety, and the health of your mother.
Here are some of the possible harms:
1. Nutritional insufficiency: As babies grow, their nutritional needs will also change. The nutrients in breast milk may no longer meet all of your 2-year-old baby's nutritional needs, especially as your baby starts to eat more solid foods and needs to get enough nutrients from other foods.
2. Over-dependence: Long-term breastfeeding may lead to over-dependence on breast milk for babies, affecting their learning and acceptance of other foods. This can lead to difficulties in the eating change process and even malnutrition.
3. Tooth development: Prolonged breastfeeding may affect your baby's dental development, especially if your baby is breastfeeding at night and does not transition to solid food in time.
4. Independence training: As babies grow, they need to gradually learn to be independent. Prolonged breastfeeding may delay this process and make your baby too dependent on the mother.
5. Mother's physical effects: Long-term breastfeeding may have certain effects on the mother's body, such as leading to the consumption of iron and other nutrients in the mother's body, as well as may affect the mother's physical recovery.
Therefore, if breastfeeding is chosen until the age of two, both mother and baby should have regular health check-ups to ensure that the baby's nutritional status and growth and development are within the normal range. At the same time, as your baby grows, you should gradually introduce a variety of solid foods to ensure that your baby is getting all the nutrients he needs. It is best to consult a doctor or dietitian before making a decision. List of high-quality authors