Everyone knows the health benefits of breastfeeding, but when should the breastfeeding stop? Parenting expert and child psychologist Dr Pat Spungin, CEO of Raisingkids.co.uk, advises.

Raisingkids member's problem
I've got two daughters, a 5 month-old, and a 2 yr-old. On the advice of our midwife, we let my eldest suck my breast if she asked, thinking she wouldn't enjoy. To my dismay she does enjoy it, and gets very upset if I try to stop her! Before I let her suck my breasts she always wanted to touch them at every opportunity and again on the advice of the midwife I let her touch them. Please advise me on what to do!

Dr Spungin's advice
Your toddler wants to be a baby again, when she sees all the attention the new baby gets. She wants to have the same degree of closeness and that's what feeding means to her. The more you try to stop her, the more likely she is to want to carry on with it.

Build closeness in other 'big girl' ways, like cuddling while you read to her. If it's only at home then I wouldn't worry about it. My guess is that she will grow out of it. Try to build up her sense of being a 'big girl' and praise her for the grown up things she does. In this way she will be encouraged to give up 'baby things'.

I know a family where the mother fed her son until he was 4 and only then did he give up of his own accord. He certainly felt no embarrassment nor did his mother. Now he's a healthy strong well-adjusted 13 year-old - and very clever too!

• Ask Our Parenting Expert: More Answers About 1-4 Yr-Olds
• Toddlers & New Arrivals - See Our Siblings Section
• Need Someone To Talk To? www.parentlineplus.org.uk