How long to breastfeed?

Kathy - posted on 12/18/2010

My asuggestion (based on many years of breastfeeding) is to always breastfeed BEFORE his solids. At his age, milk is actually more important than solid foods, so make sure he is not filling up om solids before his breastfeed.

Brittany - posted on 12/18/2010

If breast feeding is getting more difficult you could always pump. If you don't have a pump most insurance companies will provide one (because of the benefits of breastmilk). More than likely it is a growth spurt. I was told that the soonest you would want to stop breast feeding is at 12 months. I stopped at 3 months for a few different reasons. My daughter was becoming VERY aggressive and my husband was being deployed and needed a chance to bond so he took over feedings, I still supply the milk. If it gets too overwhelming try pumping, that way you can increase your supply (if needed) and he would still get 'the good stuff'. And if he can go from bottle to breast then when you felt the need to you could put him to breast again.

Lorraine - posted on 12/17/2010

I think the hardest thing about breastfeeding is the doubting of yourself and your supply. Breastfeeding is supply and demand so the milk will come as long as your little one keeps trying to feed.
I agree with Briana and I have tried and tested. cameron is also easily distracted and gets very frustrated if he has to work to hard before let-down.
I can definitely see why you would give him formula as you feel like he needs to be fed asap. It takes a lot of patience but it will definitely pay-off for you to be able to continue breastfeeding.
Cameron is now 8 months and I am still breastfeeding along with solids. EBF is a challenge but so worth it and it will get easier for you.
You should be proud of yourself for getting even this far. Many women don't :)

Melanie - posted on 12/15/2010

You will know when you're ready to quit...or sometimes toddlers or older babies wean themselves. If he is six months he can be getting some nutrition from solids with fruit, veggies and meat so if he has 1-2 meals per day of solids, that'll help make him more full. My daughter is an easily distracted baby while nursing...sometimes she has a proper feeding (usually right before bed) but otherwise it may only be a few minutes. Don't get frustrated...if he needs more he'll keep nursing and if he's had enough within a short amount of time, that may just be how it is. Oh, did you say how old your son is?? Also, I think breastfeeding is best but if you can't keep up, you should never feel guilty for supplementing with a little formula...it's not the devil as some would suggest. Do what you think is best for your child!

Briana - posted on 12/15/2010

Try massaging your breast right before he eats. My son has days where he nurses more and when he has those days, I massage my breast before feeding. It gets the milk flowing and if you don't have a letdown while massaging (I always do lol) you most likely will soon after he starts sucking. :) Doesn't hurt to try.

Emily - posted on 12/15/2010

I truly doubt you have a supply problem. Around 4 months is when your supply starts to regulate. Which means, you will no longer feel full, but your body is still making exactly enough milk for your baby. You just won't have an oversupply anymore. Supplementing with formula will just make things worse, because you won't be giving your body the signal to make milk. It's also likely a growth spurt. Just keep nursing on demand. Your body knows exactly what to do.

Stephanie - posted on 12/15/2010

Sorry! I meant six months for when you start solids, as well as breastfeeding... I know you should breastfeed longer than that. I know they can have cow's milk after a year... Thanks for all the advice everyone!!

Stephanie - posted on 12/15/2010

Ohh, sorry!! My son is about 4 months old!

Celeste - posted on 12/15/2010

AAP: "Breastfeeding should be continued for at least the first year of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child... Increased duration of breastfeeding confers significant health and developmental benefits for the child and the mother... There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer." (AAP 2005)

AAFP: recommends that breastfeeding continue throughout the first year of life and that "As recommended by the WHO, breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy,

WHO: As a global public health recommendation, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond.

And more position statements:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/prepare...

The frequency of feeding isn't an indicator of supply. It could be a growth spurt, like you mentioned, and 6 months is prime time for one. You are never empty, you will continue to make milk as long as he's nursing. Think of breasts like factories, not storage units.

Giving formula can be a slippery slope. When you give a bottle, you will not be sending that signal to make more milk. The best thing to do, is to nurse nurse nurse! The more you nurse, the more you will make!

The *best* way to determine if you have enough is by diaper count. If he's getting enough diapers, (about 4-5), your supply is FINE.

Laura Zoey - posted on 12/15/2010

" If the child is younger than two years, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned. "
This is what the American academy of family physicians says about breastfeeding.
Personally I thought two seemed so very very old, but now with Eric at 20months, it couldn't be more normal! He didn't get this big all of a sudden, it's slow growing and you don't wake up one morning and think,gosh you are too old!
So 2 years is my minimum, and he is quite happy to continue!
So after that, I think I'll aim at 4 years to breastfeed him. Average weaning age on earth currently is 4 years, so I want to at least give him an average time at breastfeeding.
I know America is all weirder out about that, but the ONLY reason you have breasts is FOR your children, so why would I stop before he was ready.
I don't want him to be at a disadvantage just because he was born in sex crazy America!
So I know breastfeeding is a two way relationship, and many say that if mom wants to be done then she should wean the baby, but honestly I couldn't be that selfish. I feel like I created him, he didn't ask to be born, and my breasts are only here for hum, who am I to tell him he has to stop?
Now if I was physically too sick to continue, or something else serious like that I'd understand, but I would never cut him short just cuz I have a day or so that I wish I was done.
I'm a mom now and that means he comes first, and knowing I'm giving him my best makes me happy too!
I adore breastfeeding Eric, and I'm super excited when my new baby is born this may and I can breastfeed both!
My body is amazing and I love the feeling of pride when I see how great my son is doing because I have given him a normal start in life.

Andrea Karen - posted on 12/15/2010

Well actually I breast feed up to five (5) years old, for the two older children I did that and for Annastacia she will get the same time too!

Sarh - posted on 12/15/2010

My son is a porker and has been since day one! He is now 6 months old, but he did the "closer together" feedings which his pediatrician called cluster feedings. You have feed him as often as he is hungry! If he is not getting any from one breast switch back and forth. My son went through stages where he was getting upset during feedings as my breast were in the process of producing milk while he was trying to gulp down more then it was making. Your breast are never "empty", because your breasts/body is always producing milk!! If you think you need to produce more milk I highly suggest you start eating oatmeal at least once a day!!! I started to and noticed my milk supply went up a LOT w/in the first one to two DAYS!!!! Also, I drink at least 6oz of water before each feeding along w/more water in between.
My son must be going through a growth spurt as well because he recently started his cluster feedings again. He nurses about 2-4times during the day (about 8a-5p) and then at about 5p until 10p-1a when he goes down for the night he has been nursing every 30mins-1hr!!! I know he is not getting barely anything and I can feel that my breast are "empty"/not full and I don't hear him swallowing, but I still leave him attached. Also skin to skin contact (baby against your chest even if baby is sleeping) will help bring in your milk more. It will make your body think that baby is nursing and that you need to produce more... or something of that sort!
Good luck and do not give up. I'm not sure where you heard 6 months, but 1yr is best!! Two yrs would be better, but I personally can't see myself nursing past one yr. I was kind of grossed out by the thought of nursing a baby older then 6 months, but now that he is 6 months I see NO difference at all...well except that he is nosy. lol. Don't give into the formula!! I will admit I did a few times in the very beginning, but I quickly learned that you can not and you just have to continue on even through the struggles.

Tammy - posted on 12/14/2010

How old is your son Stefanie? If he is still fairly young, it is more than likely a growth spurt, and he will go back to his usual nursing soon. The thing with breastfeeding is, your breasts will adjust to exactly how much your child needs- if he goes through a spurt, the best the to do is nurse. This will increase your milk supply to accommodate his growth spurt. If you do have a slow let down, you could try massaging your breasts beforehand, or hand expressing/ pumping a little until letdown. Some mums have slow letdowns, fast letdowns, it varies between each woman. Giving formula is actually the worst thing you could do for your milk supply, it will have the opposite effect and decrease your milk supply. Also, baby will always drink a bottle of milk after breast, because of the way the teat is designed- it flows, they dont have to work to get the milk out. A few things you could do to increase your milk supply-
*take Fenugreek
*drink plenty of water
*skin to skin contact and plenty of nursing
*Domperidone- this requires a script from your doctor and is specifically designed to increase your supply
I really hope that you continue nursing as it is such a beautiful bonding experience and is a fantastic way to soothe an upset baby