WHO recommended age to stop breastfeeding?

WHO Recommendations on Breastfeeding Duration
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides clear guidelines regarding breastfeeding, emphasizing its importance for both infants and young children. According to WHO recommendations, exclusive breastfeeding is advised for the first six months of a child’s life. This means that infants should receive only breast milk during this period, without any additional food or drink, to ensure they receive optimal nutrition and immune protection.
Continued Breastfeeding Beyond Infancy
After the initial six months, WHO suggests that breastfeeding should continue alongside appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond. This recommendation is based on the understanding that breast milk continues to provide essential nutrients and health benefits even as children begin to eat solid foods. The organization recognizes that the duration of breastfeeding can vary significantly among families and cultures, and it ultimately supports a mother’s choice regarding when to wean her child.
The Natural Weaning Process
Interestingly, anthropological studies indicate that the natural age of self-weaning—when a child decides to stop breastfeeding on their own—typically falls between 2.5 to 7 years old. This suggests that extended breastfeeding is not only normal but also beneficial in many cases. The WHO’s stance aligns with this understanding, promoting a flexible approach that respects both the mother’s and child’s needs.
Conclusion
In summary, the WHO recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months and continuing to breastfeed for up to two years or longer, depending on the preferences of the mother and child. This guidance underscores the significance of breastfeeding as a vital source of nutrition and emotional bonding during early childhood.

Is it healthy to breastfeed a 5 year old?

AAP supports continued breastfeeding until two years or beyond, as mutually desired by mother and child. The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, and then continuing to breastfeed for “up to 2 years and beyond.”

Do you lose weight when you stop breastfeeding?

That said, it’s not a guarantee that you’ll gain weight after you stop nursing. “Some women actually lose weight after weaning,” Cording says. It’s worth checking in with yourself if you’re concerned about your overall health or feel like your eating habits haven’t been the best lately.

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.

What is the natural weaning age for breastfeeding?

Children allowed to continue breastfeeding will typically self-wean between the ages of 2 and 7 (natural term). A breastfed child eats normal solid foods alongside breastmilk, and they do not require any other mammalian milk (e.g. cow’s milk).

What is the healthiest 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.

Who recommends breastfeeding until what age?

WHO and UNICEF recommend: early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth; exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life; and. introduction of nutritionally-adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months together with continued breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond.

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.”

What is the world’s 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 does the CDC recommend to breastfeed?

12 months
The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that infants be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months. Then, continue breastfeeding until your child is 12 months or older while introducing appropriate complementary foods.

WHO recommends breastfeeding until age 2?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for approximately 6 months after birth. Furthermore, the AAP supports continued breastfeeding, along with appropriate complementary foods introduced at about 6 months, as long as mutually desired by mother and child for 2 years or beyond.