How long should I brestfeed?

Question

just wanted to know how long you did, and how long is recommended :) THanks!

Answer 1

I only breastfed for a few weeks. Unfortunately, at the time I didn't have a whole lot of support or understanding. For my next child, I plan to go a lot longer.

The American Pediatric Association and The World Health Organization recommend 2 years.

Answer 2

I have 4 children ages 5 1/2, 4, 2, and 3 months. I fed breastfed the oldest for 8 months, then I was pregnant with my second child, she was for 9 months, then the third was 10 months. Now my son is 3 months old and I plan on feeding until he is ready to stop. At about 9 months it gets harder to feed them since they are mobile and very easily distracted by then, and I could not really take sitting there doing it much more either. Plus they all had 4 teeth by then, and if they did not want to be fed they would play around and bite! They were ready for cups by that age too. I don't think that ear infections and illness have much to do with breastfeeding or not since my third daughter who is 2 has had 11 sinus infections and 2 ear infections and she fed the longest! I think 12 months is recommended. I did it since it is so much easier than bottles and less expensive-I NEVER pumped-I tried but takes too much time and effort for me.

Answer 3

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a woman should continue to breastfeed "for as long as mutually desirable by both mother and child." They go on to say that they recommend breastfeeding for at least the first year of life. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for the first two years of life.

I personally breastfed my first son for only 6 weeks (dried up on birth control sadly), 13 months with my second son (self-weaned at that point), and 18 months and counting with my daughter. I have set a goal of her second birthday at this point. I may go on longer if we both still are interested.

Answer 4

I would aim for at least a year, and here is why. I have 4 children. My first, I breastfed for 13 months, until he did not want to sit still and nurse any longer. By that age, he wanted the freedom that drinking from a cup gave him. He never had an ear infection, and he is 16 years old now.

My second child was 6 weeks premature. He had problems coordinating his sucking and breathing, so he was tube-fed for several weeks, and never really "took" to breastfeeding. I ended up pumping my breastmilk and bottlefeeding him for about 4 months, and then switched to formula. It is difficult to keep your milk supply up under those circumstances. This kid had chronic ear and sinus infections, and eventually required surgery (tubes in his ears, and adenoid removal). He is 13 now.

My twins were 8 weeks premature, but I was able to breastfeed them (breast and pumped milk in a bottle when I returned to work), for nearly 6 months. They, too, have had many, many ear infections. They are 7 years old now.

So, I really credit the health of my oldest son to the year of breastfeeding. And, quite honestly, nothing bonds you to your child more than having to stop and nurture them with your body, intead of propping a bottle in their mouth while you go about your other tasks. Breastfeeding makes you slow down and really touch your baby. It is a beautiful thing.

Answer 5

I breastfed mine both till about 8mths (only stopped because of working the 1st time and illness the 2nd). The recommendation is at least 6 mths, preferrably 12mths and longer depending on how you go once they are walking, getting teeth etc...
I couldn't imagine not breastfeeding until 6mths. They are just too little to stop and 12mths seems a good time. Then you can just wean straight to a sippy cup and no need for time consuming bottles. I loathed them but it was a necessary evil unfortunately. By 12mths they no longer need formula and can go to full fat cows milk.

I would say breastfeed as long as you and baby are comfortable with it.

Good luck

Answer 6

Any time you breastfeed is better for the baby than no time. Doctors usually recommend up to 12 months, although the benefits go on much longer than 12 months.

Each person needs to do research and find what is the best age to feed up until, and then follow your heart when you are actually doing it. What are you main reasons for breastfeeding?

I personally plan on breastfeeding exclusively until 6-8 months, than add in some solids and continue to breastfeed until up to 3 years.

Answer 7

its recomended you breastfeed for atleat the first 12 months of life however you can not put a time frame on it the longer the better is the best choice.
sometimes mums cannot continue producing breastmilk past a particular time and sometimes the baby will wean itself from the breast which is totally common!
sometimes a baby will all of a sudden 1 day weather it be 4 months 6 months or 12 months may reject the breast.
just do the best you can its totally healthy to breastfeed your child up untill 2yrs of age and its totally personal choice!
i couldnt but i breast fed my first child untill she was 6 months old i would have breastfed her longer but my milk dried up as i had fallen preggo again and i then breastfed my second untill she started biting me at 12 months old ouch!!
im now currently expecting my 3rd and will breastfeed as long as i can wishing you luck your doing a good job!!!

Answer 8

A year + is what is recommended but any amount of time is good.With my first, I breastfed until she was 6 months old. With my third, I am currently trying to ween her but I have been breastfeeding her for 14 months now. I couldn't breastfeed my second one because of a health problem.

Answer 9

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding 2 years exclusively for the first 6 months of baby's life.
Nursing the first 4 weeks of your baby's life provides the most protection for your baby and the most beneficial hormone release to help you recover after birth.
Nursing for the first 6 months provides baby excellent nutrition and protection from illness. After 6 monthes, the nutrition and protection aspects are not as critical for your baby.
If you can breastfeed only a short period of time, that's ok. try to stick with it for the first months .
i was breastfed for only 3 months unfortunately.
but the best feed your baby as long as possible.

Answer 10

I breastfed my first child for 4 years, second for 20 months. This is long by American standards, but not unusual worldwide.

The World Health organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months, gradually weaning after 24 months.
http://www.who.int/features/qa/21/en/index.html