How long should I nurse my baby?

Question

She is 3 months old right now.

Answer 1

I think the average age or what is recommended is 12 months. byt that age the child normally would be weaned off of a bottle and started on regular milk. If you choose not to do it that long it is totally up to what you are comfortable with...I know when I nursed the Dr's said that any amount of time being nursed is better than not doing it at all, because the baby builds up his/her immunity and also gets the DHA for brain development, it's also thought that breast fed babies have less ear infections too. good luck with whatever you decide!

Answer 2

that is completly up to you. Typically after 6 months they aren't getting anything else from it that they wouldn't get from formula. It's a personal choice. I breastfed my daughter until she was a year. And my son is 8 weeks and I am going to go till about 6 months, or a little longer. It's a great bonding experience with your child and mothers milk is the best source for a child. So i can't tell you how long you should but I would say @ least 6 months if you can

Answer 3

Hi DeeJay...

This is what La Leche League says:

"A mother and her baby should breastfeed for as long as they wish to breastfeed. The American Academy of Pediatrics currently (2005) recommends: "Pediatricians and parents should be aware that exclusive breastfeeding is sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months of life and provides continuing protection against diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child." * As solids are introduced, usually around the middle of the first year, your baby will shift his primary source of nutrition from your milk to other foods.

All the benefits of human milk--including nutritional and health--continue for as long as your baby receives your milk. In fact, as your baby takes less human milk, these advantages are condensed into what milk is produced. Many of the health benefits of human milk are dose related, that is, the longer the baby receives human milk, the greater are the benefits."

I personally breastfed my son until he was 18 months (year and a half) old. It just felt right for us to stop then, though I did miss that special closeness! :-) Your baby will give you signs of when the time is right to move on to the next chapter. If I ever have another baby, I will definitely breastfeed again. It's an amazing experience. Good luck to you and your little one. :-)

Answer 4

as long as you want to! Don't listen to anyone but your own heart and watch the signs from your baby.

My daughter nursed until she was 14 months and weaned herself in one night. My son is now 11 months and only nurses at night and in the morning.

Only you can decide it mommy--don't let ANYONE ever make you feel bad about nursing your bundle of joy!

Answer 5

My daughter is 10 month old and I am still breastfeeding along with feeding her baby food. She is incredibly healthy and happy.

I said I was going to stop at 6 months, but it came and went. My daughter refused the bottle and in the end I wasn't ready to stop breastfeeding.

It's an individual choice, stop when you feel comfortable to.

Answer 6

I was never able to nurse my kids any longer than six weeks. However, my sister-in-law nursed all four of her children until they were a year old. Really it will be your personal decision in the end, but you may want to consult with your family physician also. :)

Answer 7

There is no guide in these things. The infant should nurse as long as you feel comfortable nursing her. Don't give up that closeness right away.

Answer 8

I think up to a year because after that you can put your child on whole milk and your child can star drinking from a cup instead of a bottle and the longer the better they say but I couldn't do it pass one year of age and plus they start getting teeth and biting.

Answer 9

i nursed both of my kids till they were six months old ... because the birth control i was on dried up my milk after 6 moths .. but follow ur heart and go by ur insticts .. dont listen to everyone else ... do what u gotta do ...

Answer 10

As long as she will continue to! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends atleast until one year of age. Good luck! The health benefits will continue for both of you until she is weaned.