breast feed your baby?????
2007-11-16 15:55:24 · 19 answers · asked by my angel is 2 1/2 now:) 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
You don't have to do anything but pay your taxes and die... But if you want the best for your baby than you will breast feed for at least the first year.
There is no exact time when you must stop, this is different for every mother and child. I nursed my daughter until she was a little over two. I regret to this day that I stopped when I did as it had more to do with the opinions and judgment of those around me than my daughter and I being ready to end this part of our relationship.
She was only nursing about 2XS a day at that point, when she woke up in the morning and around 4:30 pm.. To this day I think we could have avoided a lot of evening meltdowns if I had continued to nurse her at 4:30 when she really needed that time alone with mommy. With my baby boy I will not allow anyone to decide but us when it is the right time to wean completely.
I find it sad to see how many mis-informed people there are who have chosen to answer your question. Breast feeding ideally would be something that you as the mother enjoy as well. If you are just biding your time to get through it than it will feel like a chore. I hope that you can find a way to enjoy nursing your little one with out thinking about when it will ever end. This stage of life ends so quickly. Enjoy your child at the breast. Good luck to you.
2007-11-16 16:18:17 · answer #1 · answered by viento 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
As long as you want to. Some people do it until their children get teeth (6 months). Others choose to do it for the first year or two. Some moms go a bit longer than even that. It is totally up to you. You are in control of this.
2007-11-17 00:06:58 · answer #2 · answered by Brandolyn 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
9 months, maximum 12-14 months.
however it tends to have low vitamin D. But dont worry u can synthesised by the body through the reaction of sunlight onb the skin and the infant is born with an iron suppy that is adequate for the first 4-6 monhths
after 4-6 months you can still breast feed your baby but you must introduce new food to your baby,you should introduce bland foods such as cereal and yoghurt before gradually introducing more strongly flavoured foods such as fruit vegetables and meat.
At 8 months, infants can be introduced to finger foods, these are foods that have been cut into bite sizes and easy to chew. You should keep your breast feed
2007-11-17 00:02:17 · answer #3 · answered by russiangirl 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
i agree Viento
to those who say only 6 months then supplement
GET A CLUE
Breastmilk is a dynamic substance and changes to suit what the baby needs, this includes increasing the vitamins and mineral as the baby grows, so you can exclusively breastfeed for the entire first year. (without supplementing solids)
not only that, but breastmilk is PROVEN!!!!!!!! to have a marked benefit the longer you choose to breastfeed, whether it be to 2, 3, 4 or how ever long.
not to mention that formula tastes fowl.
mom2jjorion
i think you were excluded from Viento's comments.
2007-11-17 00:31:52 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
As long as you want to, up to, I think, 18 months.
It's a great way to bond with your baby. However, if you're wanting the extra freedom just pump it and give it through a bottle. Nothing can be better for your baby than breast milk. However, nothing can be more sanitary than breast feeding.
2007-11-17 00:01:51 · answer #5 · answered by barsh 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
That's completely up to you. Some people only do it for a few weeks and others for a couple of years. The longer you do though, the better it is for your baby.
2007-11-16 23:59:04 · answer #6 · answered by Emily Dew 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to at all.
Some women breast feed for the first 3 months. Some only for the first few weeks. Some never even try it.
Some women go until the child is a toddler or even 5 years old.
Some say the first tooth means no more boob.
It's all up to you and what will fit into your life.
2007-11-16 23:58:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
You don't "have to" but its recommended that, if you can, you breastfeed for the first year. But any breast feeding is better than none. Having said that, an under stress Mum is no good for baby. Better to bottle feed if its not working at all for you.
2007-11-17 00:00:38 · answer #8 · answered by Barb Outhere 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
The doctors recommend a whole year.One year is when they can eat a solid food diet,at 4 months start to introduce rice cereal and move on from there but no "finger" foods till at least 10-11 months.
2007-11-17 00:03:04 · answer #9 · answered by Morgan J 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
IDEALLY until you would no longer have to supplement with formula; so at least a year.
ETA:
viento- Misinformed? Heh, I don't think so! I simply have no interest in saying that formula is okay.
A truly successful breastfeeding relationship, IMO, is exclusive and requires no supplementation.
2007-11-17 00:13:02 · answer #10 · answered by mom2jjorion 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋