I'm planning on breastfeeding...how many years will I be doing it?

Question

Someone told me that you should do it up to FIVE years of age!?! That just sounds crazy to me... What do you know? =) Thanks!

Answer 1

Take a look at all the thumbs down the various answers to your question got!! This is a pretty good indication of how politically charged the issue of breastfeeding is.

Basically, you will not get an unbiased answer from ANY source. (Not from me either, so I am not going to express my very strong opinions on this matter.)
I therefore recommend that you decide what is best for YOU, and do that.

Answer 2

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months followed by nursing until *at least* 12 months of age with the addition of solid foods and continuing thereafter if mutually desired by mother and child.

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;115/2/496

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is very supportive of breastfeeding. Their policy statement includes the following, "Nursing Beyond Infancy
Breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy, but this is currently not the cultural norm and requires ongoing support and encouragement. Breastfeeding during a subsequent pregnancy is not unusual. If the pregnancy is normal and the mother is healthy, breastfeeding during pregnancy is the woman's personal decision. If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned. Breastfeeding the nursing child after delivery of the next child (tandem nursing) may help to provide a smooth transition psychologically for the older child."

http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/policy/policies/b/breastfeedingpositionpaper.html

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends nursing for at least 2 years.

Here is a great link on nursing beyond one year:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html

The world-wide avereage age of weaning is 4.2 years. This means some cultures nurse far less and others nurse longer.

Anthropologist Kathryn Dettwyler has done research that shows the natural age of weaning in humans should fall between 2.5 and 7 years of age.

http://www.kathydettwyler.org/dettwyler.html

Did you know that Michael Jordan's mom nursed him until he was 3 years old? She has been quoted as saying, "I feel this is why he is the athlete he is."

http://www.health.ri.gov/media/990802a.php
and
http://www.breastfeeding.org/bfacts/famous.html

Great link of benefits based on how long you nurse:
http://www.lightlink.com/hilinda/Diane/weanbaby.html

And 101 reasons to breastfeed:
http://www.promom.org/101/

Ultimately, it is up to mom and baby how long to nurse.

It's a relationship between two people and if it's no longer working well, something needs to change. It's important to note that this doesn't always have to result in a complete weaning. Sometimes it can be just setting limits about when and where you'll nurse or cutting down to the number of sessions mom feels is managable.

For those who have never BTDT, it's also important to note that toddlers and older children nurse differently than a newborn. They don't nurse with the same frequency and the attachment is still important and healthy for them. They do eat other foods and drink other liquids, but nursing is still an important part of their day.

Answer 3

My mum fed me until I was 12 months old, my sister less as she was very uninterested in the breast from the day she was born (mum beleives to this day that if my sister was able she would have eaten steak and veggies from the moment she was born). I have an 8 week old and I don't know how long I will feed him for. I'm a bit scared about teeth mind you. Anywhere betewen 6-12 months I think is a good amount of time to feed.5 years seems a bit extreme to me, and personally I think it looks terrible when kids are going up to their mums and latching onto the breast when they should be fully dependant on solids.

Just my opinion though, whatever works for you :) Goodluck!

Answer 4

There's a good chance bub will decide to give up the breast before you do anyway - just do what feels right. The most important thing is making sure bub gets the colostrom (the thick stuff that comes before the milk - usually lasts 2-4 days after birth) because that has important proteins and gives bub 's immune system a boost. One year breastfeeding is usually sufficient, good luck!

Answer 5

Generally until the baby is one year old. Some stop when the child gets teeth because they hurt.

I think once the child is out of diapers they should NOT be breastfeeding.

Answer 6

10-12 months is all the breast a baby needs. I find it so peace full and calming to see a mother (tactfully) breastfeeding her infant but when the kid gets big enough to walk up and self serve it's time to quit.

Answer 7

i breastfed my little girl for just over a year. there are lots of full on breastfeeding fanatics out there that will put pressure on you to do it for ever. But i think its important to remember that breastfeeding is a natural movement that shouldn't be forced and will continue until you and your babe are ready to wean. most midwifes i spoke to basically said that as long your child recieves the colostrum (for the first 3 days or so) then its okay. Alot of women cann't feed and they should rest assured that formulas these days are amazingly nutrious!! so I would advise you to just go with what feels best! My daughter finished on the breast after a year probably because she had been drinking pumped milk out of a bottle at daycare and my nipple felt so different but she is such a healthy happy child it doessn't matter!! good luck!

Answer 8

I work at a preschool & have seen women go for different lengths of time. It all depends on the mother. Some only breastfeed for the first couple of weeks, if at all. Some go for 2 years. It seems like most seem to stop sometime between 6 & 12 months. I personally would stop once they get teeth & can bite!

Answer 9

I think that is way to long - you should see how you go - I lasted 3 weeks with my first and 10 months with my second. It's up to you.

Answer 10

You can do it as long as you want. I do think five years is extreme. but I would start to ween after a year