for how long should one breastfeed ,for baby's sake?

Answer 1

Until baby weans himself. and don't listen to people who have no idea what they are talking about say there is no benefit after 1 year??? What???

Many children have a need to suck well beyond a year, and most are not emotionally or physically ready to give up breastfeeding at this time.

did you know:

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 1995).

Only in the US do we think babies should only be breastfed for 1 year! Only in the US are breast for sex 1st and nursing babies 2nd if at all! Only in the US do people think breatfeeding a child is "gross", "sick", or "weird"

Just because the child has a birthday, it doesn't mean that the child no longer benefits from breastfeeding.

May I suggest you check out http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/in... to learn of some benefits of breastfeeding past baby's 1st birthday.

THE BENEFITS OF "EXTENDED" NURSING (NURSING PAST THE FIRST YEAR)
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.

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

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).

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."

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

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.


suggested reading:
http://www.wiessinger.baka.com/bfing/breastvbottle/wean.html
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/8148/nursing.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/

Answer 2

for 1 year

Answer 3

The UN suggests 12 months minimum where water supplies may not be safe. It protects children from bacteria in drinking water and food produced with dirty water.

In the west, where water is presumed safe, they usually say 4 to 6 months breast milk only and then introduce other foods while continuing the breastmilk for a year.

If left to their own devices, most children would nurse until they're between 2 and 4, but often only just to fall asleep or when they wake up in the morning. Most mothers (myself included) aren't healthy enough, patient enough or at home enough to let kids stop when they want to, but it probably is the best way to go. The second best way is to just breastfeed for as long as you can.

Answer 4

Babies can be perfectly healthy without it too so I don't understand how so many people think women are doing a huge injustice by not doing it. Many Dr's say it's always a good thing to do it for at least 6 weeks but it certainly is not necessary. Formula today gives all the nutrition a baby needs and I turn up my nose at the untruths about "breastfed babies are smarter" and "breastfed babies have a better immune system". My kids were bottlefed and are on the honor roll and never sick.

Answer 5

breastfeed is the best source of nutrition for babies. ideally it should be the only source of intake for the first year. second year onwards other semi solid food like dal water and dal, etc. could be given to the baby and by the end of the second year the baby could be only on solid food. breastfeeding also strengthens the bonding between mother and child.

Answer 6

For one year. If they shouldn't be using a bottle, they shouldn't be on the boob. The APP just discovered that breastfeeding does NOT makes babies smarter. That is a myth created by breastfeeding fanatics. After a year, whole milk is equivalent to breast milk.

Some parents nurse longer because
-They live in a third world country and have no other options of nurishment for their kids
-They don't know any other ways to comfort and love their children without sticking a boob in their mouth.

Answer 7

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for *at least* 12 months.

The World Health Organization recommends nursing for *at least* 2 years.

The longer you are able to nurse, the more benefits both mother and baby receive. As long as the nursing relationship is working for both of you, it's great to continue.

Answer 8

Brest feeding is good for the baby, you could brest feed the child untill really any age and have it still be healthy. a womens body will produce the milk untill she stop feeding the child so really as long as you'd like to. there is really do limit on it.

Answer 9

U could continue till 2 yrs of age...but in the present situation where women need to get back to work in a couple of months...u can continue till 1yr...

Answer 10

One should continue to breastfeed as long as you are healthy and able to do it as long as the baby requires it. Its benefits are bountiful.

Answer 11

I can't express enough how great information from Le Leche League is!!! I read the book, The womanly art of breastfeeding, and it was great! you can get the book online or just about anywhere you get other baby stuff....

also, contact your local le leche league group! they can be an enourmous support system for you!

Good Luck!!!!

Source(s):

http://www.lalecheleague.org/