2007-04-18 12:18:13 · 17 answers · asked by SVSBgirl 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I'm at 6 months so far and I plan to go for at least a year...or longer.
2 Years is recommended.
***Editted to Add
All these people that keep saying "a month or two" or that "it doesn't really matter" or that more than 3 or 4 months "is kinda creepy" ARE IDIOTS!!! It makes me soooo mad when the uninformed pipe in with WRONG information.
For the benefits of the child,
6 MONTHS is MINIMUM.
1YEAR is GOOD.
2 YEARS is the average and is recommended.
NOTHING nurishes a child like mothers milk. NOTHING...so why would you not want to give your child that absolute very best for as long as possible???
For you misinformed people...BREASTS ARE FOR BABIES...they weren't made for boyfriends or bikini tops or magazine covers...they were put there to feed babies...
ITS "CREEPY" and SAD that you people have such a deranged self image and such a warped perception of your body!
2007-04-18 12:21:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
This is a personal question that is best left to each mother/child pair to figure out.
It is recommended to nurse for the first year, and even beyond.
But there are practical difficulties that make this hard for some mothers - small supply of milk, working full time with no facilities to pump, unavailability of the mother due to other reasons.
Breast milk is like giving your children an immunization for every illness you've ever had - it is the healthiest thing that they can be eating exclusively for the first 4-6 months and in conjunction with table food/baby food through the first year and beyond.
But don't feel guilty if you have a good reason why you can't breast feed for that long - do what you can (it's all good), and know that formula is nutritionally still an OK choice for your baby. But breast milk is better.
2007-04-18 12:26:14 · answer #2 · answered by Jennifer B 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well, as you have already been told, 2 yrs. is recommended. Most mothers here in the US only breast feed for about 6 months.
I breast fed my son until he was 18 months and at that time he self weaned. I am currently nursing a 7 month old and plan to for at least a year and then longer if he wants.
Any amount of time is beneficial.
2007-04-18 13:07:19 · answer #3 · answered by Mom23 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing exclusively for the first 6 mos and then beginning to add solid foods in addition to breastfeeding. They recommend nursing for AT LEAST the first 12 months, and thereafter as long as mom and baby want.
The World Health Organization recommends nursing for at least 2 years.
Every single drop of breastmilk is a huge benefit to mom and baby. The longer you nurse, the greater the benefits.
2007-04-18 12:25:27 · answer #4 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
It is completely up to the mother. Doctors and Lactation consultants recommend at least 6 months but some women nurse until their child is two. I plan on nursing until my baby goes on cows milk at 1 yr.
2007-04-18 12:22:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Most moms in the US only breastfeed for 6 months, but it is highly recommended that you breastfeed for the first year.
I am still breastfeeding my 19 month old, but she was a preemie and is really tiny still, so I want to give her all the help I can (she is also eating solids and drinking milk and juice.)
It's up to you, but a year is the recommended length of time.
The world average is more like 2 years.
2007-04-18 12:23:07 · answer #6 · answered by purplebinky 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Sadly, most babies are breastfed for 3 months on average in the USA. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least 1 year and the World Health Organization recommends at least 2 years. I plan to breastfeed my son for at least 2 years.
2007-04-18 12:30:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Whatever YOU decide. Personally I love breastfeeding my babies as it is my special time with them. My first I fed for 2 years, my second was 14 months and my 3rd was 15 months. But some women find that it isn't for them and stop straight away or never try it to start with. ANY amount of time you feed them for, be it 1 day or 2 years, will benefit your baby as the colostrum you produce in the first days before your milk comes in contains antibodies and other great nutrients that help your baby build it's immune system. Do whatever works for YOU. Good luck.
2007-04-18 12:35:11 · answer #8 · answered by West Aussie Chick 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I nursed my children until they were about 18 months old.
2007-04-18 12:41:44 · answer #9 · answered by applecrisp 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats a decision that has to be up to you and your baby. Worlwide teh average is 4 years. It is teh best thing for baby well into that time frame. But for me we are at 11 1/2 months and because I am now pregnant again we may be stoppgin soon :(
2007-04-18 12:30:24 · answer #10 · answered by Betsy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋