when do women stop breatfeeding?

Answer 1

When their baby weans themselves

Answer 2

It's not the same for all women. Women don't need to automatically stop at 12 months. There's no hard and fast rule. If you're content nursing past a year, then do it. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, then stop. I had a good friend who nursed her daughter until she was 4+. That' a bit extreme, but it worked for her and the child.
I nursed two children and they were both different. My first simply lost interest at 10 months and went straight to a cup. My second enjoyed the closeness and nursed until she was almost 2. The teething never affected me. When they tried to bit me, I'd simply tap their cheek with my finger and they'd stop.
Your child can be eating regular food and drinking regular milk while you're breastfeeding. They're not going to be only breastfed.

Answer 3

I have no kids, so I can't speak from personal experience.

However, among the women I know who do (or did) breastfeed, the length of time varies quite a bit. I have heard of everything from 6 months to 2.5 years. Personally, I think a baby should be weaned from breastfeeding by its 1st birthday. That's also the approximate "average" I've calculated, based on the people I know of.

Answer 4

It varies by the child and by the mother. it is recommended that breastmilk be exclusive for the first six months - that gives the baby and the mother the most health benefits.

After that point, weaning is gradual, and the time frame is a personal decision that you must make without worrying about what others think. This is YOUR child that you only have one chance to raise, so consider advice, but only follow what feels right in your heart.

Answer 5

My kids let me know when they were tired of the breast. It was 6 months for me, but it depends on whether you want to go back to work, and if that is the case you can pump your milk for the sitter. Each person and baby is different. Congrats on deciding to breastfeed, as it is the best for the baby. They get that ever important collostrum that is present before your milk comes in. The Laleche League has good phamplets and books for everything you want to know about nursing.

Answer 6

I think that's a matter of personal preference. I had to stop after a month due to medical problems. It seems that many stop after 12 months, but again, I think it's just personal preference. Some deal with teeth better than others!

Answer 7

My doctor tells me to nurse as long as mutually desired, and at 15 months we are still going strong. My son gets whole milk in addition to breastmilk. The benfits of breastfeeding do not stop at 12 months for the mother or the baby. I believe when my son is ready to wean, he will! :)

Answer 8

When they choose to stop. As long as a baby is nursing, a mother continues to produce milk. There were wet nurses who nursed constantly for 20 years or longer; when one baby weaned, she would find another client.

The World Health Organization recommends nursing for *at least* 2 years; it is natural for human beings to nurse at least 2 1/2 years based on strictly biological criteria and comparing humans to higher primates.

Answer 9

That's up to the woman, or sometimes her body. Some women breastfeed until the baby gets their first teeth, some until they start on solid foods, and some not until the baby is two or three years old.

Answer 10

It is up to each woman to decide this, along with her child of course! the more foods and other drinks are introduced the supply tends to diminish. I breastfed for 1 year and found it a very rewarding experience. Even if you do it for a short while there are many positive benefits to be had for your child and you.

Answer 11

They will keep producing milk as long as the nipple is stimulated, but most choose to stop around 11 months to a year, when the baby starts getting teeth.