Breastfeeding question....?

Question

Hi!
My daughter is 6 months old. I breastfeed her and i was thinking about breastfeeding her until she was around a year old, but i wasnt sure if that was too long or i should try to wein her sooner?

Just wondering at what age other moms stopped breastfeeding?

Answer 1

I had to wean my son at 15 months when I had back surgery.

When I first started BFing I though I would wean him when he got teeth, then it was a year and I would have likely BF until he was two if I had not had to wean for medical reasons.

I had to wean in September before he turned two in May. He had one ear infection before that, but after weaning he was hospitalized twice for dehydration from a stomach bug. I honestly believe if he had still been nursing that would not have happened.

Despite suggestions to the contrary, breastfeeding past one year is not harmful. Breastmilk has an amazing quality to always be the perfect food for your baby (of course, they need to start solids sometime after six months), but breast milk is never nutritionally devoid. Check out www.kellymom.com

The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends BFing until at least two years old.

from www.kellymom.com

Nursing toddlers benefit NUTRITIONALLY
Although there has been little research done on children who breastfeed beyond the age of two, the available information indicates that breastfeeding continues to be a valuable source of nutrition and disease protection for as long as breastfeeding continues.
"Human milk expressed by mothers who have been lactating for >1 year has significantly increased fat and energy contents, compared with milk expressed by women who have been lactating for shorter periods. During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet might be significant."
-- Mandel 2005
"Breast milk continues to provide substantial amounts of key nutrients well beyond the first year of life, especially protein, fat, and most vitamins."
-- Dewey 2001
In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:
29% of energy requirements
43% of protein requirements
36% of calcium requirements
75% of vitamin A requirements
76% of folate requirements
94% of vitamin B12 requirements
60% of vitamin C requirements
-- Dewey 2001
Studies done in rural Bangladesh have shown that breastmilk continues to be an important source of vitamin A in the second and third year of life.
-- Persson 1998
It's not uncommon for weaning to be recommended for toddlers who are eating few solids. However, this recommendation is not supported by research. According to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):
Some doctors may feel that nursing will interfere with a child's appetite for other foods. Yet there has been no documentation that nursing children are more likely than weaned children to refuse supplementary foods. In fact, most researchers in Third World countries, where a malnourished toddler's appetite may be of critical importance, recommend continued nursing for even the severely malnourished (Briend et al, 1988; Rhode, 1988; Shattock and Stephens, 1975; Whitehead, 1985). Most suggest helping the malnourished older nursing child not by weaning but by supplementing the mother's diet to improve the nutritional quality of her milk (Ahn and MacLean. 1980; Jelliffe and Jelliffe, 1978) and by offering the child more varied and more palatable foods to improve his or her appetite (Rohde, 1988; Tangermann, 1988; Underwood, 1985).

Nursing toddlers are SICK LESS OFTEN
The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001).
Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers (Gulick 1986).
"Antibodies are abundant in human milk throughout lactation" (Nutrition During Lactation 1991; p. 134). In fact, some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process. (Goldman 1983, Goldman & Goldblum 1983, Institute of Medicine 1991).
Per the World Health Organization, "a modest increase in breastfeeding rates could prevent up to 10% of all deaths of children under five: Breastfeeding plays an essential and sometimes underestimated role in the treatment and prevention of childhood illness." [emphasis added]

Nursing toddlers have FEWER ALLERGIES
Many studies have shown that one of the best ways to prevent allergies and asthma is to breastfeed exclusively for at least 6 months and continue breastfeeding long-term after that point.

Breastfeeding can be helpful for preventing allergy by:
reducing exposure to potential allergens (the later baby is exposed, the less likely that there will be an allergic reaction),
speeding maturation of the protective intestinal barrier in baby's gut,
coating the gut and providing a barrier to potentially allergenic molecules,
providing anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of infections (which can act as allergy triggers).
References

Nursing toddlers are SMART
Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest.
References

Nursing toddlers are WELL ADJUSTED SOCIALLY
According to Sally Kneidel in "Nursing Beyond One Year" (New Beginnings, Vol. 6 No. 4, July-August 1990, pp. 99-103.):

"Research reports on the psychological aspects of nursing are scarce. One study that dealt specifically with babies nursed longer than a year showed a significant link between the duration of nursing and mothers' and teachers' ratings of social adjustment in six- to eight-year-old children (Ferguson et al, 1987). In the words of the researchers, 'There are statistically significant tendencies for conduct disorder scores to decline with increasing duration of breastfeeding.'"
According to Elizabeth N. Baldwin, Esq. in "Extended Breastfeeding and the Law":
"Breastfeeding is a warm and loving way to meet the needs of toddlers and young children. It not only perks them up and energizes them; it also soothes the frustrations, bumps and bruises, and daily stresses of early childhood. In addition, nursing past infancy helps little ones make a gradual transition to childhood."
Baldwin continues: "Meeting a child's dependency needs is the key to helping that child achieve independence. And children outgrow these needs according to their own unique timetable." Children who achieve independence at their own pace are more secure in that independence then children forced into independence prematurely.
References

Nursing a toddler is NORMAL
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)
The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that breastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that "Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired." They also note that "If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned." (AAFP 2001)
A US Surgeon General has stated that it is a lucky baby who continues to nurse until age two. (Novello 1990)
The World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of nursing up to two years of age or beyond (WHO 1992, WHO 2002).
Scientific research by Katherine A. Dettwyler, PhD shows that 2.5 to 7.0 years of nursing is what our children have been designed to expect (Dettwyler

And there are benefits for you as well.
Extended nursing delays the return of fertility in some women by suppressing ovulation (References).
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer (References). Studies have found a significant inverse association between duration of lactation and breast cancer risk.
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of ovarian cancer (References).
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of uterine cancer (References).
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of endometrial cancer (References).
Breastfeeding protects against osteoporosis. During lactation a mother may experience decreases of bone mineral. A nursing mom's bone mineral density may be reduced in the whole body by 1 to 2 percent while she is still nursing. This is gained back, and bone mineral density may actually increase, when the baby is weaned from the breast. This is not dependent on additional calcium supplementation in the mother's diet. (References).
Breastfeeding reduces the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. (References).
Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease insulin requirements in diabetic women (References).
Breastfeeding moms tend to lose weight easier (References).

Answer 2

ok i do not understand what befell to my answer., what I did with my infant replaced into I steadily decreased the no of cases I breast fed and presented extra solids and and soon she forgot all about it. right here is what i got here across To make the transition era extra attainable on a mom and toddler, professionals recommend right here information: • have interaction the youngster in a distracting pastime or pass for an vacation throughout cases that could often be spent breastfeeding. • do no longer sit contained in the spot the position breastfeeding often handed off, and circumvent wearing nursing clothing. • do no longer attempt to wean a toddler throughout an adjustment era, alongside with a clean day care service, or throughout cases of stress or change. a toddler will be extra proof against giving up the relief experienced throughout breastfeeding. • If the youngster is youthful than a million twelve months of age, attempt to steadily introduce a bottle or cup at cases that breastfeeding ought to frequently ensue. For an older toddler, providing a healthful snack and a cup may make the transition extra attainable. • Make alterations to the daily ordinary, this can enable a mom to concentration on different activities besides the breastfeeding routine. • Enlist the help of a spouse, spouse or pal to provide a regularly happening distraction and take the most concentration off of breastfeeding. • If the youngster adopts a habit alongside with thumb sucking or will change into connected to a blanket or filled animal, do no longer discourage the habit, the youngster ought to correctly be attempting to emotionally adjust to the change of weaning.

Answer 3

I am a mother of 4, 3 boys and a girl. I breast fed my first for a year and my second for 7 months(was forced by dr to quit) third was only 2 weeks(he was in a incubator under the therapy lights so they started bottle) won't take it after that, my forth is 3 months old and I plan to breastfeed him for a year. I would do it as long as you feel comfortable with it.

Answer 4

I breastfed my first son for over a year and he has never been sicker than a runny nose...granted when they ask for it, it's probably time to think about weaning, but the longer you go the more benefits your baby receives from mothers milk. They say you should breastfeed until at least six months not until six moths. It is ultimately up to you and what you feel comfortable with. Even if you chose formula the most important thing is to be a nurturing, loving mother...by now this answer is probably blah blah blah to anyone reading so I'm done.

Answer 5

Experts are now saying that at least one year is good, but to get the maximum benefit babies should be breastfed until they are 2. I breastfed my son until he was 2 1/2, and I plan on breastfeeding my daughter that long as well. She is also 6 months. There's a good book called "mothering your nursing toddler" that is very informative. God Bless

Answer 6

Congratulations on breastfeeding your daughter! That's a great accomplishment and she is on her way to a healthy start in life.

The MINIMUM standard for breastfeeding as established by the American Association of Peditricians is one year. Mind you, that is the MINIMUM. The WHO endorses a minimum of 2 years.

6 months seems sooo young to be thinking of weaning. As she gets older, you will see that are a lot of benefits to nursing a toddler, and the health benefits for you and your daughter really do add up.

Good luck, and congratulations.

Answer 7

First off, congratulations on sticking out all of the "harder" parts of breastfeeding so far...There are the growth spurts when you are pretty sure you will never have your body back to the times when your little one just acts like yeah right you think I'm gonna eat off of what??? So let me tell ya that fun is just beginning because if you haven't already introduced them...solid foods throw a whole new spin on things... First you have to follow your mommy heart and feed your daughter when you feel she is wanting breastmilk... usually AFTER they eat solids but my son wanted a little before he ate solids, then he would eat, then nurse again... you have to do what feels right! I nursed him to 13 months but my daughter who I had first I only made it to 4 months... My sister nursed her girls for 13 months and 18 months... The thing is that the nursing as they get older decreases... However your milk is still nutritionally good for them while you still decide to nurse... even if it is up to age 2! So do what you think is right and enjoy every minute of every day with your little one (they really do grow up way too fast)!

Answer 8

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for *at least* 2 years, so, no, one year isn't too long. And you don't have to wean when they get teeth, either; a baby who is nursing *can't* bite, and if they do stop nursing to bite, you can teach them not to very quickly. All of my kids breastfed for at least the minimum 2 years. They're all healthy and well-adjusted--three adults, a teen, and a toddler.

Answer 9

One year isn't too long at all. Recommendations are for at least one year and beyond, for as long as mutually desired. Some recommendations state 2 years and beyond. I nursed my DD until she was 4.5 years old. She stopped when she said she was ready.

Babies start to wean from the time they are introduced to other sources of nutrition. They should start to wean at around 6 months when they start solids and weaning can be very gradual.

There is no nutritional benefit to your baby to wean her to formula or cows milk if she is breastfeeding.

Answer 10

actually breastfeeding until age 1 is normal, but you also need to introduce her to babyfood around age 4 to 6 months too, while breast milk is very nutritious introducing whole grain cereal, and veggies and fruits also help maintain health of your growing child breastmilk can remain a staple but the introduction of soilds is important for proper growth some people advise again adding additional food but as a mother of six who breastfeed all of my children I added cereal at 5 months and veggies the same time followed by fruits around 6 months you will have to devise your own schedule because all children are different but you will have to be the one to decide what is best for your child.

Answer 11

While most studies have shown that breastfed babies are smarter and healthier, I only breastfed my son for 2 weeks and had to quit due to circumstances beyond my control. He has only had a slight cold and is almost a year old now. My WIC peer counselor breastfed one of her children until they were 18 months old. I would think a year is a good time since at 1 year they are old enough for whole milk, but whatever works for you. It also depends on if/when your daughter is showing signs of weaning herself.