What is the normal age for a baby to stop breastfeeding?

Understanding the Age for Weaning from Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a deeply personal journey for mothers and their babies, often influenced by cultural norms, personal preferences, and health recommendations. The question of when to stop breastfeeding is complex, with various guidelines and practices observed around the world.
Health Recommendations and Guidelines
Health organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide clear recommendations regarding breastfeeding duration. They advocate for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, followed by the introduction of solid foods while continuing breastfeeding for at least one year or longer, as mutually desired by mother and child. This approach not only supports the baby’s nutritional needs but also fosters a strong emotional bond between mother and child.
Natural Weaning Age
Interestingly, anthropological studies suggest that the natural age for self-weaning—when a child decides to stop breastfeeding on their own—typically falls between 2.5 to 7 years old. This indicates that while many mothers may choose to wean their children earlier, extended breastfeeding is not uncommon and can be perfectly normal in many cultures.
Common Weaning Practices
In practice, many children begin to show signs of readiness to wean between 9 months and 2 years. Some may naturally reduce their breastfeeding frequency as they become more interested in solid foods and other sources of nutrition. By the time children reach their second birthday, it is common for them to self-wean or for parents to initiate the weaning process, often influenced by lifestyle changes or personal circumstances.
Cultural Influences on Weaning
Cultural attitudes towards breastfeeding can significantly impact when mothers choose to stop. In some cultures, extended breastfeeding is the norm, while in others, there may be societal pressure to wean earlier. This cultural context can shape a mother’s decision, leading to a wide range of experiences and practices regarding breastfeeding duration.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision of when to stop breastfeeding is highly individual. While health guidelines provide a framework, the emotional and physical readiness of both mother and child plays a crucial role. Whether a mother chooses to wean her child at six months, one year, or beyond, the most important factor is that the decision aligns with their unique circumstances and needs.

What are the negative effects of breastfeeding too long?

For example, duration of breastfeeding experience has been shown to correlate negatively with parent-reported antisocial and aggressive behavior in children from 4 to 11 years of age [43]. These effects on antisocial behavior appear to extend well beyond childhood into adulthood.

When do most moms give up on breastfeeding?

Solid food is then typically introduced to babies’ diets at around 6 months. The survey, which involved more than 28,700 children, also found that by the time they are 6 months old, 4 in 10 babies are receiving no breastmilk at all.

What happens to the body when you stop breastfeeding?

Some might experience headaches or migraines, while others feel exhausted or even dizzy immediately after weaning. Another common post-weaning issue? Acne. Big hormone changes can really throw your body for a loop.

How long do moms breastfeed on average?

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.

At what age is it unhealthy to breastfeed?

Breastmilk or infant formula should be your baby’s main source of nutrition for around the first year of life. Health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, with a gradual introduction of appropriate foods in the second 6 months and ongoing breastfeeding for 2 years or beyond.

What is the oldest a child has been breastfed?

A British mother has revealed how she will miss breastfeeding her daughter after the youngster finally weaned – at age 9. Sharon Spink, a mom of four, insisted that feeding daughter Charlotte until earlier this year was completely normal and has cemented a lifelong bond between them.

What is the most common 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.

What is the longest age to breastfeed?

In the US, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and to continue for at least 12 months5. But in other countries, the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding up to the age of 2 or beyond6.

What is the breastfeeding age limit?

From the age of 6 months, children should begin eating safe and adequate complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed for up to two years of age or beyond.

At what age do the benefits of breastfeeding stop?

The World Health Organization agrees that breastfeeding should continue “up to two years of age or beyond“. 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.