How Long Should I Breastfeed?
Here are some important facts about breastfeeding beyond 6 months or even one year.
- The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends a mother breastfeed for at least the first year of the baby’s life.
- The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends a baby breastfeed for at least 2 years.
- Breastmilk remains an important part of the baby’s diet for the entire first year and will remain about 75% of his diet at 12 months. It is important that he has iron rich foods introduced and solid foods will be at least 25% of his diet by one year.
- The benefits of breastfeeding do not suddenly end when a baby turns one year old.
- As long as you breastfeed, your baby gets valuable immunities, as well as the security and emotional benefits of breastfeeding.
- Breastmilk changes to meet your growing baby’s needs. Levels of certain antibodies (disease fighting ingredients) actually increase as your baby gets older.
- Weaning is a decision only you can make, and it depends on how long you feel comfortable breastfeeding.
- There are many benefits for breastfeeding a year or longer and very few benefits for weaning early.
More benefits for nursing one year and beyond:
- Your baby continues to get protection from disease and infection.
- You have a built-in comfort measure for when he is sick, hurt or frightened.
- It lowers your risk of certain cancers: breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and endometrial cancer. The longer you breastfeed, the greater the protection.
- Breastfeeding offers protection against allergies.
- Breastfeeding makes the care of a toddler much easier: there is no better way to ease a temper tantrum, or put a toddler to sleep.
- Breastfeeding provides closeness, security, and stability during a period of rapid growth and development.
- As long as you are breastfeeding, it continues to provide important nutrients (-- Dewey 2001).
In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:
- 43% of protein requirements
- 36% of calcium requirements
- 75% of vitamin A requirements
- 76% of folate requirements
- 94% of vitamin B12 requirements
- 60% of vitamin C requirements
- The American Academy of Family Physicians notes that children weaned before two years of age are at increased risk of illness (AAFP 2001).
- A US Surgeon General has stated that it is a lucky baby who continues to nurse until age two. (Novello 1990)
Adapted with Permission from the Foundation for a Breastfeeding Culture
