I have been exclusively pumping breastmilk (not nursing) for my baby for 7 1/2 months now I'm considering quitting. The problem is that the baby's father doesn't want me to stop. Are there any further benefits for continuing longer?
2006-09-02 06:21:50 · 18 answers · asked by Debbie B 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
The AAP recomends breastfeeding until at least 1 year, the WHO recomends until at least 2 years. There are always benifits both in nutrition and increased immunity, no matter how long you provide breastmilk for your child. A child's immunie system isn't really mature until he or she reaches 6 or 7 years of age. In many countires, breastfeeding until a child is 3 or 4 years old is the norm.
Here are some links that might help answer your question:
How long should I breastfeed my baby?
http://www.breastfeedingresources.net/article.htm
WEANING: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T026400.asp
A Natural Age of Weaning
http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detwean.html
By this point you have already provided her with a wonderful start that includes decreased risk of allergic reactions, ear infections, and even cancer!
Breastmilk is free, formula is expensive! Of course, it's a lot of hard work to pump, but it's still cheaper than fomrula and if you've been managing this long, you might as well keep it up for a few more months at least! Maybe ask the baby's father why he wants you to switch to an inferior and much more expensive substitute? Really, what is his logic behid this?
2006-09-02 06:57:11 · answer #1 · answered by doxhaelend 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The benefits are the same. You breastfed for quite a long time so there is nothing wrong with giving your baby formula now. Most pediatricians recommend breast feeding as long as the mom and baby want to. I breast fed a year and towards the end it got easier since my daughter was eating a lot more solids. But if you are exclusively pumping that can get old very quickly. Do what you feel is right. Some babies never touch formula and some never touch breast milk. They all turn out just fine. Do what you need to do. If you are working and pumping is taking its toll then stop. No one will criticize you either way. I had moments where I wanted to stop too. But I just kept going saying to myself only for a few more months. I thought formula was over priced and I enjoyed the bond with my daughter. So I am glad and proud of myself that I stuck through it. But if for whatever reason I needed to stop or wanted to then I would have. You need to talk with your husband so he understands why you are thinking about not pumping any more. The most important thing is for him to be supportive.
2006-09-02 06:32:06 · answer #2 · answered by AB11 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing until *at least* 12 months. It would be best to try to continue to provide your little one with breastmilk for the whole first year. Otherwise, you'll just have to buy formula which is expensive.
Exclusively pumping can be difficult and time consuming. Are there specific reasons you are considering quitting? Have you considered simply cutting back on pumping and offering both breastmilk and formula?
2006-09-02 08:31:44 · answer #3 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Congrats for pumping so long! I wasn't able to because I was ill. Babies that get breastmilk for a year are very fortunate. The AAP says that's a good amount of time if not longer. At least make sure your baby gets a formula that has DHA and ARA in it so that your baby is getting the good stuff she needs. It's not as good as breast milk but it's the next best thing and then when she turns one she can go to cow's milk.
(Breastmilk is not only cheap but it's healthy. Formula is expensive and cow's milk after a year old isn't too bad on the wallet.)
2006-09-02 06:29:37 · answer #4 · answered by Annie Hightower 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Studies that compare humans with other primates suggest ages 4 - 7 are the natural ages for weaning humans. There are certainly many benefits to continue nursing - child should not have cow's milk or formula until age 12 months. I wonder, since you pump instead of nurse, if the full benefits are there, tho - when the baby nurses, this adjusts fat and vitamin content of the human milk.
2006-09-02 09:54:00 · answer #5 · answered by cassandra 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well i would say 1 yeah old ... my daughter was 11 half months old but she had teeth and kept biting me ... so i was not sure what to do,,,, so in the end i stoped and put her on the bottle. ... you say that ur pumping and not nursing ... if both of you don't want to stop feeding baby ,,,, then theres only one way around it .... start nursing ur baby ,,,,,
became a breastfeeding peer counsellor when my baby was 13 months old ....if only i knew then what i no now ,,,, ive helped a lot of mums .... internet and my local town , i really wish you all the best , try to feed baby for as long as you can ,,, if ur happy then baby is happy ,, keep up the good work x
2006-09-02 06:30:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Breastmilk is composed of antibodies for a enhanced immune gadget and that's made in basic terms top for the toddler. Breastfeeding additionally has that nurturing element to it that laying your toddler down and nursing her earlier a snooze it does lots for a newborn's happiness besides. formula would not fairly have any reward previous age a million that familiar cow's milk would not have.
2016-11-06 07:09:16 · answer #7 · answered by basinger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
until about 2 years of age.
2006-09-02 06:30:15 · answer #8 · answered by lomatar1186 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I breastfed till 13 months. At that point my child was eating table food and I figured he could get his nutrition without my help. If a baby can come off formula at 12 months to drink milk, I figured it was ok for me too. If you are tired and want to stop, then get a good baby formula and call it good. Its your boobs, not your husband's....I haven't breastfed any of my children past 13 months.
2006-09-02 06:27:03 · answer #9 · answered by Velken 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
WELL YOU CAN KEEP NURSING TILL YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR READY TO STOP ITS KINDA NOT NESSACARY AFTER AGE 1 THE CHILD SHOULD START WHOLE MILK CONSIDERING IF HES NOT LACTOLARANCE OR SOMEHTING LIKE THAT BUT PUMPING FOR 7 1/2 MONTHS IS LONG N YOU MAY BE SORE AND TIRED OF IT I WOULD OF QUIT AFTER 3 MONTHS I NURSED MY FIRST FOR A YEAR MY SECOND FOR 4 MONTHS IF YOUR NOT COMFORTABLE ANYMORE THEN STOP IT WONT HURT THE BABY
2006-09-02 06:30:53 · answer #10 · answered by kandy 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋