Every Tuesday, a member of our expert panel answers your questions about your kids, your health, nutrition, child development and related issues. If you have any questions, e-mail them to me.

Today, Nancy R. Murray, nurse clinician and lactation consultant at Duke Children's Primary Care in Durham, tackles a question about breastfeeding toddlers.

The Question: I'm nursing my 2-year-old. My mom says I need to stop - that it's not good for her. Will she be messed up psychologically if I continue? Aren't there still some health benefits from it?

Murray's answer: This is always an emotionally charged issue for mothers. The American Academy of Pediatrics' 2005 recommendation is to breastfeed for at least one year, and as long as mutually desired by mother and baby. Yes, there are also still health benefits for older children, and we know that the fat and calorie content of the breastmilk increases as duration of breastfeeding increases. Nursing toddlers between 18 and 36 months still have fewer and shorter bouts of illness from non-nursing children at this age.

Many women choose to nurse after the first year, but because of the social stigma, they don't seem to discuss it as much as those moms nursing younger infants. There is certainly no evidence to suggest that nursing toddlers have subsequent psychological problems. When talking to mothers who are nursing their toddlers, I try to stress that they should have age-appropriate foods and nurse as any other milk feeding. Also, I counsel moms to be sure that they're working to find ways to soothe and calm their fussy toddlers so that they don't only have nursing to use to calm all day.

I would suggest that you continue nursing as long as you and your two year old enjoy!

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