how long...?

Question

How long do you need to breast feed your kids?

Answer 1

Every single drop of breastmilk a child gets benefits both the child and the mother. The longer you breastfeed, the greater the benefits. There is no certain age where the benefits go away. As long as mom and nursling are both happy with the relationship, they can go as long as they want.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing *at least 12 months* and thereafter as long as mutually desired.

The World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend nursing *at least 2 years* and then as long as you want after that.

Michael Jordan's mom nursed him until he was 3 and he turned out pretty well! :-)

The world wide average age of weaning is 4.2 years.

Research by anthropologist Kathryn Dettwyler suggests that the natural age of human weaning falls between 2.5 and 7 years of age.

Some people don't get that older nurslings DO eat other foods and they DO NOT nurse as often as a newborn does.

EDITED TO ADD:
I'm sorry, but the following statement is FALSE and a little research would reveal the truth.....
"After a year whole milk contains the same nutrients as breast milk. (due to hormone changes in mom)."

Breastmilk contains over 100 ingredients, including immunities. Cow's milk is made for baby cows, not baby humans, and can't compare.

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

"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).

Breastmilk composition -
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/bmilk-composition.html
Comparing human milk to different animal milks & formula -
http://www.saanendoah.com/compare.html

ETA:
*rolls eyes at Ms.PimpEtte aka noemi*
Then I must be a biological oddity since I've been producing milk for almost 8 years straight now to breastfeed 3 kids. Your body doesn't stop producing at 6 months...or any other age....unless you stop nursing or pumping.

Answer 2

That is really a question of personal preference. It is best to at least make sure your baby gets all of your colostrum (the clear liquid that comes before your milk comes in). Most doctors recommend a minimum of 3 months, ideal being a year. If there are immune system issues, you may want to consider breastfeeding for more than the first year. It's really a personal choice though.

Answer 3

It is your personal preference. Breastfeeding is the best thing to do when feeding your newborn baby. I only breastfeed for 3 months, (until after she got her first shots< that wasn't why i stopped) But i had to stop after 3 months because i had to start taking medicine that my baby could recieve. Other than that, i would recommend ANY woman to AT LEAST breastfeed for a year.

Answer 4

Actually the new AAP standard is to breastfeed exclusively for at least six months and with support up to a year. People in 3rd world countries do it longer as they have no other source for food. After a year whole milk contains the same nutrients as breast milk. (due to hormone changes in mom).

As for you, breast feed (if you choose to) for as long as you feel comfortable or for as long as your child will nurse up to a year. Both of my kids self-weaned at 8 1/2 months.

Answer 5

Absolute minimum should be three months but the best would be to continue to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months and then continue until AT LEAST 12 months while introducing solids and other fluids in sippy cups. Breatfeed as long as it is comfortable for both mother and child.
Good luck -whatever you choose.

Answer 6

It truthfully will depend on the TYPE of query. Some which are tediously demanding or trite, OR hateful rants OR while each phrase is misspelled (lyke omg so mi bff and me an my BF have been lyke all goin out an idk lyke omg .....) you already know, the ones type LOL. I bypass the ones. But i do not brain studying via a rather lengthy Q whether it is first rate or exciting. Most of the Q's i reply anymore aren't lengthy nevertheless. But quick, humorous, and to the factor. xD ?

Answer 7

As long as it is recommended by the World Health Organization, at least 2 yrs

Answer 8

There isn't really any time advice given, but in general 6 months must be the minimum.
If you are still breastfeeding when your son or daughter are thirty, you've been doing it toooo long :)

Answer 9

the most u should breast feed is up to 6 months cuz, after that the reproductive glands stop reproducing milk

Answer 10

technically you dont need to at all. You can feed them formula and they will thrive and be no different in the long run than beastfed babies. Anyone telling you different is pushing le leche propaganda.

most doctors try to encourage nursing moms to continue through atleast the first year.

Iam only doing the first 6 months.

Some wacko moms nurse their toddlers clear up to 4-5 years old. talk about creepy.