What is the average age to breastfeed?

Understanding the Average Age for Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a deeply personal journey for many mothers and their children, influenced by cultural norms, personal preferences, and health recommendations. The average age to breastfeed can vary significantly, but health organizations provide clear guidelines that help shape this experience.
Initial Recommendations
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, the ideal scenario begins at birth. They recommend that breastfeeding should start within the first hour of life and continue exclusively for the first six months. This means that during this period, infants should receive only breast milk, with no other foods or liquids, including water. This exclusive breastfeeding phase is crucial for the baby’s development, providing essential nutrients and antibodies that help protect against infections.
Continuing Beyond Six Months
After the initial six months, the guidelines suggest introducing appropriate solid foods while continuing to breastfeed. The recommendation is to maintain breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond, as long as it is mutually desired by both mother and child. This extended breastfeeding period supports ongoing nutritional needs and fosters a strong emotional bond between mother and child.
Cultural and Individual Variations
While the WHO and UNICEF provide these guidelines, the actual age at which mothers stop breastfeeding can vary widely. Some mothers may choose to wean their children earlier, while others may continue breastfeeding well into the toddler years. Research indicates that the natural age of self-weaning—when a child decides to stop breastfeeding on their own—can range from 2.5 to 7 years old. This variability reflects not only individual preferences but also cultural attitudes towards breastfeeding.
The Role of Support and Education
Support from healthcare professionals and family can significantly influence a mother’s decision on how long to breastfeed. Many mothers report feeling pressure to conform to societal norms, which can affect their breastfeeding duration. However, experts emphasize that breastfeeding beyond the first year is normal and can be beneficial for both the child and the mother.
In conclusion, while the average age to breastfeed is often framed around the six-month mark for exclusive breastfeeding and two years for continued breastfeeding, the reality is much more nuanced. Each mother-child pair navigates this journey uniquely, influenced by personal circumstances, cultural practices, and health considerations. Ultimately, the decision of when to stop breastfeeding should be made based on what works best for both the mother and the child.

What is the 3 month breastfeeding crisis?

The third crisis occurs after three months, at this stage the baby has much greater suction strength and will take faster feedings as he is able to empty the breasts with greater speed, that is to say, take more in less time, this period coincides with the development of their hearing and vision, that makes everything …

What’s the recommended age to breastfeed?

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.

Is 12 too old to breastfeed?

The Academy of American Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months, with complementary foods introduced around six months. AAP supports continued breastfeeding until two years or beyond, as mutually desired by mother and child.

Which countries breastfeed the least?

Ireland has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding both globally and in Europe, which was a great surprise to me – the World Health Organization (WHO) World Health Statistics 2013 reported that only 15% of children in Ireland are exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of their life, compared with a global …

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.

At what age is breastfeeding no longer beneficial?

But Dr Max Davie, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, says there is limited evidence of additional nutritional benefit beyond the age of two. “By the age of two, a child should get all the nutrients required through their diet so there is no additional benefit to breastfeeding over this age.”

How long does the average mom breastfeed?

Among those who breastfed, average duration was 6.9 months; when stratified by race, breastfeeding duration was longest among White mothers at 7.3 months, followed by mothers of other races at 6.3 months, while Black mothers had shortest average duration, with 5.1 months.

What culture breastfeeds the longest?

Guinea-Bissau. In Guinea-Bissau, the average length of breastfeeding is 22.6 months.

What is the average age a mother stops 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.

What is the world’s average age for breastfeeding?

Globally—excluding the United States, Western Europe, and Australia—43 percent of infants at 6 months are exclusively breastfed; 74 percent of infants are breastfed at 12 months; and 46 percent are breastfed at 2 years8.