What is the recommended age to stop breastfeeding?

Understanding the Recommended Age to Stop Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a deeply personal journey for mothers and their children, and the question of when to stop can be complex. Health organizations provide guidelines, but individual circumstances often dictate the best approach for each family.
Initial Recommendations
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. This period is crucial for the baby’s development, as breast milk provides all the necessary nutrients during this early stage. After six months, the introduction of complementary foods is advised, while continuing to breastfeed until at least two years of age or beyond .
The Natural Weaning Process
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 health guidelines provide a framework, many children may naturally continue breastfeeding well into their early childhood years.
Cultural Perspectives
In various cultures around the world, extended breastfeeding is common and accepted. For instance, in some communities, it is not unusual for children to breastfeed until they are four or five years old. This cultural acceptance can influence a mother’s decision on when to wean her child.
Factors Influencing Weaning
The decision to stop breastfeeding can be influenced by several factors, including the child’s readiness, the mother’s comfort, and lifestyle changes. Some children may naturally lose interest in breastfeeding between nine to twelve months, while others may continue to seek it out for comfort and nutrition.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the recommended age to stop breastfeeding is not a one-size-fits-all answer. While health organizations suggest breastfeeding for at least two years, the actual weaning process can vary significantly based on individual circumstances and cultural practices. Mothers are encouraged to consider their own situations, their child’s needs, and consult with healthcare professionals to make the best decision for their family.

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.

When should I stop breastfeeding according to who?

Infants should be breastfed on demand – that is as often as the child wants, day and night. No bottles, teats or pacifiers should be used. 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.

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.

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?

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 a healthy age 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.

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.

What is the oldest age to breastfeed?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding up to 2 years or more.

How does stopping breastfeeding affect a baby?

For infants, never breastfeeding or early weaning is associated with increased risks of otitis media, diarrhea, lower respiratory tract infection, sudden infant death syndrome, leukemia, and type 1 diabetes.

How long does the average woman 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.