Did you breastfeed your kids for different lengths of time?

Question

Was there any difference in health or anything at all?

I'm not planning on stopping till she's a LEAST one, but my little brother was he only one of us breastfed and he's the only one with asthma. But my mom only breastfed him for 6 months, so I was seeing if the length of time really makes a difference!

Answer 1

my first I fed for about 6 mths because I went back to work and she wouldn't have breast anymore, only liked bottles. My second was 8-9 months.

My first has been much sicker than the second her whole life. She has been in hospital 4 times now and has developed very bad Asthma.She has had that many ear/throat/chest infections I can't keep count. She is allergic to penicillan as well. Its like the breastmilk never made a difference to her health. She has also been in daycare part-time from 6mths because I had to work unfortunately. She is 5 now and at school.

my second has had his share of sickness but not to the extent she has. maybe those few extra months and not going to daycare till 1 year old made a difference to his health.I've only just gone back to work one day a week and he's nearly 3.

best of luck

don't know if it makes a difference but they both met all their first year milestones earlier than normal except teeth didn't happen till after I weaned (first was 9mths second was 8mths). I've heard that breastfed babies can be more allert or 'clever' than formula. Think it might be an old wives tale though!!

Answer 2

I breastfed mine for different lengths. My eldest I breastfed for 4 months then had to switch to Alimentum Advanced formula due to his severe food allergies. He still gets sick more often than my others due to all of his allergies. My second I exclusively breastfed for 7 months and he is my healthiest. He is 19 months old and has been sick twice his whole life so far. My baby girl is only 3 months old but I plan on breastfeeding her for at least a year. She is doing great and was even exposed to a severe cold and was the only one who never caught it. I attribute the fact that she is exclusively breastfed as the reason she didnt catch it. Im a firm believer in breastmilks antibioties keeping babies healthy and more immune to sickness.

Answer 3

I would not think so. My son was breastfed until 8 months I wanted to do it longer but he sucked me die. The doctor told me he totaly emptied me out. But I think it has to do with some of the genes and sometimes it just happens that way. Breast feeding but then again I look at my sister and she only breastfed her son for 3 weeks because he would not latch on or did not like the boob and her son has asthma. It's crazy when you think about it. But it could be true. here I will give you sites to look at.

http://www.kidsgrowth.com/resources/articledetail.cfm?id=2292

Well heres one site that really told alot! I hope this helped you.

Answer 4

Yes, I breastfed my 3 kids all for different lengths of time, but I really haven't seen any difference in their health or development.

I agonized over this. I really do believe that breast is best, and I wanted to give all of my children the same chances.

However... real life kicked my butt. With my oldest, I nursed for about 8 weeks. I was so depressed and *not really functioning* that it's a miracle I made it that long. My middle child, everything went very smoothly. I had a great supply, the baby was a good nurser, it was ideal. I nursed my middle child for 6 months. With my youngest, I have dealt with so many problems. I had a very low supply, no matter what I did to correct it. Even nursing him every 2 hours for 30-45 minutes at a time, I could never satisfy him. We made it about 3 weeks before I gave in, and gave him a bottle. I cried over that for a couple of weeks, but he was happier than ever.

We do what we can for our kids, you know? You can't feel guilty if things aren't always the same.

Answer 5

Hi, I'm a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. When I give breastfeeding education on the benefits of breastfeeding, I make sure that the clients know that their child may still get an earache or asthma but the chances of getting certain illnesses drops dramatically when you breastfeed.

The length of time you nurse will just keep reducing the risk of your child developing certain childhood illnesses but that doesn't mean that she will never get sick.

I nursed my two for 15 and 18mos. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests exclusive breastfeeding (no other foods or liquid) for 6 mos and continuing to breastfeed for at least one year. And WHO suggests exclusive breastfeeding for 6mos an continuting to at least 2 yrs.

Answer 6

I breastfed all 3 of my babies. 1st one for 22 months, 2nd one for 20 months and my 3rd for 15 months. The first two I weened and the 3rd I didn't have enough milk to keep going. I think you should breastfeed as long as possible, it helps their immune systems.

Answer 7

I breast fed for the first 10mths
for the 2nd 16 months
for the 3rd 22 months
for the 4th 30months. I didnt pick a time just went on what was best for me and the baby good luck and enjoy this time as it goes so fast.. everything we think is important will wait. I look at a breast feeding mother and I still think it is the most important time of a babies and mothers life.. It does help to feed for at least 6mth that gives the baby good start to life and a lesser chance of allergies. I think personally 12mths is a good average time but thats my opinion good luck

Answer 8

You usually wanna breastfeed your baby for at least 6 months to a year. The more you breast feed, the healthier your baby will be and the less likely it will be for him/her to get sick. Breast milk is very nutritious. It's packed with vitamins and minerals and many of them support a healthy immune system.

I forgot to mention, for babies and young children, just a few months makes all the difference as far as development goes. With that being said, the longer you breast feed, the better off your baby will be. I just wouldn't advise breast feeding a 4 year old! That's a bit too much!

Answer 9

i breastfed all 5 of my children. the first two i did for about 2 months and i had to return to work. the last 3 i fed till about 8 months. my last child ended up with major allergies to soy, peanuts, eggs, corn and fish. she also has eczema. otherwise, the other babies were fine.

Answer 10

I'm a guy, but my wife breast fed my son for only a month, he's 32 now, and very healthy, my daughter, 5 years younger, got breast fed for 9 months, healthy also. I wasn't breast fed at all according to my mom's stories, so I guess it doesn't matter. I've never been sick, except for the occassional cold. My only hospital stays were for my tonsils when I was 9, back in 1960, questionable now if it was necessary, and then a motorcycle wreck when I was a teen. Formulas work great, but my daughter has a baby now, and says she feels closer to her baby girl because she's breastfeeding, I think it's just something you have to decide for yourself. Good luck. Ron