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WHO’s Recommendations on Breastfeeding
In a significant endorsement of breastfeeding, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that mothers breastfeed their children for up to two years or beyond. This guidance is rooted in extensive research highlighting the numerous health benefits that breastfeeding provides for both infants and mothers.
The Importance of Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is recognized as the optimal source of nutrition for infants. The WHO advises that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. This period is crucial as breast milk contains all the essential nutrients and antibodies that infants need to develop a strong immune system and healthy growth. After six months, while introducing complementary foods, the WHO encourages continued breastfeeding for at least two years. This extended breastfeeding period is beneficial as it continues to provide vital nutrients and emotional comfort to the child.
Health Benefits
The health benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented. For infants, breastfeeding reduces the risk of infections, chronic conditions, and even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For mothers, it can lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, as well as help in postpartum recovery. The WHO emphasizes that the protective effects of breastfeeding extend well into childhood and can contribute to better health outcomes later in life.
Global Context
Globally, the WHO’s recommendations align with those of other major health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which also supports breastfeeding for two years or longer as mutually desired by mother and child . This consensus underscores a growing recognition of the importance of breastfeeding in promoting public health.
Conclusion
The WHO’s recommendation to breastfeed until age two or beyond is a call to action for mothers and healthcare providers alike. By supporting breastfeeding, we can foster healthier generations and reduce the burden of disease in communities worldwide. As awareness of these benefits continues to grow, it is essential for families to receive the support they need to make informed choices about breastfeeding.
What percentage of moms breastfeed for 2 years?
While 71% of women continue to breastfeed their infant for at least one year, by two years of age, breastfeeding rates decline to 45%. The Collective aims to achieve 80% and 60% respectively.
Why does WHO recommend breastfeeding until 2 years?
Breastmilk provides all the energy and nutrients that the infant needs for the first months of life, and it continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to one third during the second year of life.
WHO recommended the 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.
Is it OK to breastfeed until 2?
“There are continued benefits from breastfeeding beyond 1 year, and up to 2 years, especially for the breastfeeding parent’s health,” says the AAP. “This includes protection against diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancers of the breast and ovaries.” Comfort.
Is breastfeeding recommended until 2?
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.
Does the CDC recommend breastfeeding until 2?
How long should a mother breastfeed? Exclusive breastfeeding for about the first six months is recommended. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends continued breastfeeding while introducing appropriate complementary foods until children are 12 months old or older.
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.
Is it healthy to breastfeed a 3 year old?
Breast milk continues to provide good nutrition and immune protection to your child during the second year of life and beyond. It’s easy for your baby to digest, and doesn’t need to be purchased or prepared. Extended nursing also offers health benefits for the nursing parent.
Why did the AAP change breastfeeding guidelines?
Explaining the change in a news release, AAP pointed to the benefits of long-term breastfeeding to mother and child: “Preliminary data reveal that human milk in the second year of life continues to be a significant source of macronutrients and immunologic factors for growing toddlers.” Studies and meta-analyses also …
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.”