Hello, I was wondering, how long can you breastfeed a baby up until? I'm 39 weeks pregnant and plan on breastfeeding for as long as I can. So I'd like to hear answers from experienced people on this subject. Did you have complications that made you stop? Did the baby start refusing the breast? Did he or she keep biting you and that's why you stopped? ect, ect? I'm a very curious Mommy to be.
Thank you in advance:)
2007-09-06 13:15:50 · 12 answers · asked by Miley 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
You can breastfeed for as long and you and your child are comfortable with it. For some mothers, that's a month, for some it's two years. It's whatever you want. Breast milk never goes bad. ;-)
Some cultures are more supportive of long-term breastfeeding than others. I think four would be seen as a little odd here in the US, but to each her own. The immunological benefits are mostly in the first year, because by the time the baby is a year old its own immune system is pretty much up and running. I'm sure it doesn't ever hurt, though.
One thing that a lot of mothers are unsure of: breastfeeding does make it somewhat more unlikely for you to get pregnant again, but it absolutely does not provide a guarantee.
2007-09-06 13:28:32 · answer #1 · answered by Marie 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You can breastfeed a baby for as long as you like. Our country frowns on extended breastfeeding, but in most countries it's the norm. My son weaned himself towards the end of his 10th month. I was not ready for that and was upset for weeks. Years later I realize it was probably a nursing strike, not necessarily weaning. I wish I had been more informed back then. My daughter is 12 months. She has started to cut out a nursing or two during the day just because she is so busy but there is no way she is going to give up her num-num. I will let her keep nursing for a long time. Even if it's just a night-night nursing. I will probably wean by 2 1/2 or 3, if it hasn't happened before then.
Nursing your baby is absolutely wonderful and you will love it. You will never feel more like a woman in your life. Even pregnancy did not compare with this. I would just tell you to inform yourself as much as possible. It is not easy at first but if you have help lined up, you will be fine. I recommend getting The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding from Barnes and Noble or another bookstore and keep it right by your bed so it's handy. It will cover just about every question you could ever have. Also, nurses in the hospital are sometime biased towards bottle feeding. Insist on your right to be coached by someone who totally supports breastfeeding. Congrats on your baby and good luck!!
2007-09-06 21:21:05 · answer #2 · answered by howdesdoit 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I never expected to even make it past month three, we got off to such a rocky start, but here we are coming up on 17 months and we still have a great nursing relationship!
You can nurse as long as you and your child both want to. The average weaning age worldwide is 4-7 years, but in the US, it's much lower. The benefits, however, continue for as long as you continue nursing. Your milk will change and adapt to the needs of your kiddo. It's really amazing, actually.
Teething shouldn't create nursing problems. If a baby is nursing with a proper latch, his tongue will cover his teeth. Any biting will usually be an accident. If baby does bite, though, it can be stopped with a simple "no biting."
If a baby suddenly starts refusing the breast, it is called a "nursing strike" and is temporary. True weaning happens gradually over the course of weeks, months or years.
Check out the site http://www.kellymom.com for tons of great info and see about attending a La Leche League (http://www.llli.org) meeting in your area before baby is born. It helps you get a leg up on the whole bf'ing thing!
Good luck and congrats!
2007-09-06 22:52:49 · answer #3 · answered by Evin 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My daughter was weaned before her last birthday, by my choice. She just turned three.
You can breastfeed as long as you want to. If you have any concerns come up, (biting or latch on) you can always find some one to help, Lactation consultant, WIC, etc.
It's natural. And breastfeeding has benefits as long as you want to do it. In some African countries moms will breastfeed up to five years.
The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages moms to breastfeed at least the first year! And the first three months are crucial, babies to not make any immunities or antibodies until they are three months old.
Breastfeeding should Not Hurt! If it does you need to consult some one. Make sure the baby is latched onto more than just the end of your nipple or it will hurt. It should not hurt, if it hurts readjust.
You're already doing a great job! Breastfeed is the Best Feeding! :-)
2007-09-06 20:37:32 · answer #4 · answered by violet_selky 2 · 7⤊ 0⤋
I breastfed my daughter until she was 9 months old and then all of a sudden and completely out of the blue she refused to nurse any more. I kept offering for two or three days but she held out. That was the end of that! She also refused to take a bottle at that point (she'd had a few before that) so she moved right into sippy cups. The doctor was all concerned that she was probably sick but there was nothing wrong. They were also concerned that she might not get enough to drink (it was the middle of summer) and not enough milk specifically (they even told me to give her chocolate milk, which I did not do!) but, she did fine and is now nearly 18 yrs old! Good luck!
2007-09-06 21:18:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
With my first I stopped at a month because she was hurting me and I was getting blisters. It hurts at first and takes a lot of getting used to. Also, I felt like I wasn't producing enough milk for her although I was probably being a nervous mommy. With my second I got mastitis which is a painful inflammation and infection in the milk ducts...it doesn't harm the baby but is painful. Antibiotics take care of it. You can breast feed for as long as u wish. I feel the longer the better because u are giving your baby your antibodies to fight off disease and illness...hope this helps...congrats : >
2007-09-06 20:27:47 · answer #6 · answered by lisa 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I nursed my son until he was 14mo. He weaned because I was pregnant again.
I nursed my daughter until she was ready to wean. She was four and half years old.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for AT LEAST 1 year and as long as you both mutually desire it.
The World Health Organization and Health Canada recommends breastfeeding for AT LEAST 2 years and as long as you both mutually desire it.
There is no recommended MAXIMUM age. Most children will wean on their own around age 3 or 4.
2007-09-07 20:12:08 · answer #7 · answered by my_sunshine_doll 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my husbands cousin breastfeed her boy til they were 4! I'm planning to breast feed around a year or so
2007-09-06 20:22:22 · answer #8 · answered by reneaumommy 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You can breastfeed for years as long as there's a demand you'll have a supply. good luck
2007-09-06 20:48:49 · answer #9 · answered by Lina's Mommy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As long as you want. Personally I only feel the need to feed for 12 months or so. It is possible to keep feeding for years after though if you want to, I would just feel weird about it myself
2007-09-06 21:32:12 · answer #10 · answered by Mel J 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋