What age do you think is appropriate for a baby to stop breast feeding?

Question

I want to breast feed when my baby is born but i think its pointless if i only want to do it for the first month.

Answer 1

I made the mistake of stopping bf'ing with my first at about 6 months. With my second, I planned on at least the first year, leaving it open even as long as 18 - 24 months. Unfortunately, I had surgery in month 9 and my milk never came back in well enough to continue (I took medication, pumped, everything).

I think it's entirely up to the mother and child. My best friend has breast fed her daughter for almost 2 years - now it's only a morning nurse and an occasional nurse if her daughter is really in need of comfort.

I do think that more than 3 years is odd - it's not for me - but I figure if the mother and child are o.k. with it, why not? Well, maybe not too long after 3 . I know mothers in other nations nurse until 6 sometimes, but that's done as a food source since "regular" food isn't available. Children dont "need" breast milk much past 2 - it certainly has a lot of positive qualities (helps improve immune system, contains wonderful vitamins) - but the comfort aspect of it is certainly something worth considering.

I would recommend that you go into bf'ing with the intent to do it as long as it's comfortable for you and the baby is willing (and trust me, they are willing for a long time lol!).

BF'ing was one of the best times of my life. I look at my 19 month old now and remember those nights in a quiet room - just me and her in the glider - it makes me misty sometimes *sniffle*. I really miss it.

Go in with a positive attitude and a willingness to not believe that since it's natural it must be easy - sometimes it takes a bit of time for the nursing relationship to cement. But when it does, look out - you'll be stunned at the amazing feeling you'll get and how it is so fulfilling for your little one.

Congratulations!

Answer 2

Actually the average age worldwide when a mother stops breast feeding even if its once a day is 4 years old. Yup 4 years old. As long as you eat healthy and drink plenty of fluids you should at least breast feed until the baby's 6 months even if its only a few times a day with solid foods but most reccomend up to a year.
Best of luck to you!

Answer 3

Breastfeed until the child weans himself until a year old. Cow's milk contains as much nutrients as breast milk after a year. Both of my kids weaned themselves at 8 1/2 months.

I agree that if you want to only breast feed for a month then do it. It is never pointless and is most important those first few weeks of life.

Answer 4

It is definitely not pointless for only doing it one month, it will benefit your child very much. Even if you do only do it for one month, your baby will have Colostrom, the first milk that comes from your breast, which is the most nutritious and important breast milk. I only breast fed for 4 months, and I'm pretty sure it made a huge difference with my baby girl. The longer, the better, but ANY breastmilk for your baby is great.

Answer 5

I breast fed 1st baby for 13 months...something came up medically where I had to stop suddenly, if it hadn't been for that I may have continued a couple of more months only becaus eI was so attached to the bond we had....but at the same time at that point it was really starting to get uncomfortable, she knew how to ask for it. Not in so many words but she was "aware" and I thought it was time anyway. My 2nd baby it was for 6 months. He reallty wasn't that into it. I think a minimum of 6 months is good enough.Like said by all here...sooo many bennefits!

Answer 6

When they lose interest in it. The ideal - set by both American and international standards - is to breastfeed until age 1, and past that it's up to the mother's comfort. A child will never wean himself before age 1 - before then, it's called a nursing strike, but can be mistaken for weaning. Most children will self-wean between 2 and 4.

Answer 7

I think breast feeding should be ongoing until the baby is about 8-9 Months. When I had my daughter I breast fed her until she was 10 months then I introduced her to formula.

Answer 8

If you dont want to breastfeed for that long, at least try for 6 months. Otherwise 2 years is the best amount o f time to breastfeed a baby. The longer you breastfeed the more it benefits your baby, so that is why professionals recommend 2 years. I breast fed for 6 months each of my kids.

Answer 9

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a MINIMUM of 1 year and as long as mutually beneficial to mom and child after that. I understand that you may not want to go to a year but any amount of breastfeeding is better than none. They get your immunities from the milk. Just think of this - Formula is made of whey protein. That is the what is left from dairy after they make everything else (cheese, milk, etc) from it. Breast milk is specially formulated for your baby. Nurse as long as you can.

Answer 10

i think sometime in the first year. it depends on ur baby. i heard someone say their baby stopped after a week or two, but my sister was breast feeding for about 3 years. the milk started tasting nasty (she told me this) and her child is overly attached to her. he is 5 and still sleeps in the same bed. but, my point is, dont let it go too long, but dont cut it too short. you decide.