How long do doctors recommend breastfeeding?

Recommendations for Breastfeeding Duration
Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the optimal way to provide infants with the essential nutrients they need for healthy growth and development. Medical organizations around the world have established guidelines to help mothers navigate the breastfeeding journey, emphasizing both the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding.
Initial Exclusive Breastfeeding
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. This means that during this period, babies should receive only breast milk, with no additional foods or liquids, unless medically indicated. This exclusive breastfeeding phase is crucial as it provides the ideal nutrition and supports the infant’s immune system.
Continuation with Solid Foods
After the initial six months, the AAP advises that breastfeeding should continue while introducing solid foods. This transition typically occurs around the six-month mark, allowing infants to benefit from both breast milk and the nutrients found in solid foods. The AAP’s updated guidelines now encourage breastfeeding for two years or more, reflecting a shift from previous recommendations that suggested a minimum of one year.
Global Health Perspectives
The World Health Organization (WHO) aligns closely with the AAP, advocating for breastfeeding to continue for up to two years or beyond. This recommendation is based on extensive research highlighting the long-term health benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and children. The WHO emphasizes that breastfeeding can provide essential nutrients even as children begin to consume a variety of solid foods.
Benefits of Extended Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers numerous advantages. It continues to supply vital nutrients such as protein, vitamin A, and iron, which are crucial for a child’s development. Additionally, extended breastfeeding fosters a strong emotional bond between mother and child, contributing to the child’s emotional and psychological well-being.
In conclusion, while the initial recommendation is for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, both the AAP and WHO advocate for continued breastfeeding for at least two years, highlighting the myriad benefits it provides for both infants and mothers. This guidance underscores the importance of support systems for breastfeeding mothers, ensuring they have the resources and encouragement needed to meet these recommendations.

When do most moms quit breastfeeding?

But although 96% of children are breastfed soon after birth, only 15% of mums are still breastfeeding exclusively 5 months later. So, what’s preventing some parents from continuing to breastfeed, and how can they persist with longer-term breastfeeding, if that’s their wish?

When do doctors recommend to stop breastfeeding?

The World Health Organization recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for 6 months, then gradually introduced to appropriate foods after 6 months while continuing to breastfeed for 2 years or beyond. Stopping breastfeeding is called weaning. It is up to you and your baby to decide when the time is right.

At what age is breastfeeding no longer beneficial?

There are many professional associations that recommend breastfeeding beyond 1 year, but to date there is no evidence that extended breastfeeding is harmful in any way. There is currently no known age when breastmilk is considered to be nutritionally insignificant for a child.

What is the optimal length of breastfeeding?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding up to 2 years or more. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that moms feed their babies only breastmilk for the first six months. Then they say to keep breastfeeding for at least one year.

What is the average age to stop breastfeeding?

As the AAFP notes, according to anthropological data, the natural age of self-weaning (meaning weaning determined strictly by the child) is about 2.5–7 years old. Obviously, not everyone wants to nurse that long, but it’s nice to know it’s an option that’s normal and actually pretty common all over the world.

How long do pediatricians recommend breastfeeding?

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization also recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months, with continued breastfeeding along with introducing appropriate complementary foods for up to 2 years of age or longer.

Will I lose weight after I stop breastfeeding?

It’s normal to store extra fat during pregnancy to be used up while breastfeeding. Mothers vary in when they lose this extra weight. For some it is in the early weeks, some later and for others it’s not until after they have stopped breastfeeding.