Breastfeeding babies

W. Noel - posted on 03/06/2010

Generally, Brittany, the baby will tell you. Ask and listen to your own little one...babaies are geniuses and don't know how to lie. If you give the signal that you are ready to start a different nutrition regimen for the baby, and it's time, s/he will eventually fall into line. The global average is 4 years; in North American culture, the upper limit is more like 9 months. Listen to your baby and be honest about your life circumstances. Do what feels right for everyone.

Tara - posted on 03/05/2010

Breastfeeding is recommended for up to the first year. I am still breastfeeding my daughter and she is now 8 months. I plan on going to the first year and then i will start weaning her. I do believe it will be extremely hard to wean her, but i personally don't want to be still nursing when she can walk up to me and pull my shirt down. Breastfeeding is extremely healthy for the child but keep in mind he/she will still need vitamins. Breast milk lacks in Vitamin D which helps absorb calcium that is needed for strong bones.

Lynda - posted on 03/05/2010

Brittany, I nursed all 4 of my children. the 3 girls were exclusive, would not take a bottle, the boy was not. All nursed for about a year. This becomes much more than a feeding arrangement. It is a very very special bond that develops between a mom and baby. I still have extra special memories of nursing each of my 4 and the youngest turns 18 in june. There is tons of Data that shows that nutritionally you are way ahead if you breastfeed your baby. I think it also helps to form a better Bond. I still have a great realationship with each of my 4 even if they aren't liking me at the moment. Plus you also have the added benifit that breastfeeding is free. It takes a bit of an adjustment period. but it is one of those things- you never hear a woman say"I so wish I had not breastfed my baby",

Enjoy!

Lynda

Tyreshia - posted on 03/03/2010

I have had 2 children and breatfed them both. My daughter was only for 7 months. But I stopped nursing her because she had 7 teeth by 7 months well she bit me and drew blood and I was done.The we had our son I nursed him til he was 1yr old. he had teeth but he didn't bite like his sister. So is also depends on you and you baby. But they would like you to doit for at least 6 weeks, but if you do it longer that is awesome. But there are lots of benefits to nursing and they are you don't have to worry about milk allergy (which both of my kids are),helps you shed baby weight off (me prime example) you don't have to worry about bottles, formula, water ,etc... But you should do it for however long you feel comfortable with.

Sharon - posted on 03/01/2010

hi ladies! I have a 2yr old and he's jus now weening himself off my breast. Yes, I did it for a long time. He never had any formula and didn't like wen I would pump the milk into a bottle. Breastfeeding is extremely healthy but it is hard to ween them off. So I reckon at on my next child, I will alternate between breast and bottle so it won't be so difficult .

Samantha - posted on 02/28/2010

I breastfed my son for a year solid, but he is two and he still breastfeeds right before bed and before nap time because he never took a pacifier!!! There is something I would HIGHLY recomend if you are going to breastfeed! It is called the nipple shield. They sell them at Target, and they are a wonderful thing to have on hand when you first start nursing! It helped with the discomfort that comes with the first few weeks, and when my milk came in (about three days after my son was born), I was so large that he wasn't able to latch on, but with the shield, he was able to continue nursing. Once my supply was more regular, I was able to stop using it completely!

Crystal - posted on 02/28/2010

I breastfed my daughter for 2 years and am still breastfeeding my son and he is 16 months. My husband has horrible allergies and I did it for so long in the hopes that my kids won't suffer like he does. I quit when I did because at that age they start lifting your shirt in public in search of milk and that can get embarrassing. I just put band-aides over my nips and told her they were broke which is what I plan on telling my son after he turns 2.

Beth - posted on 02/25/2010

i am nursing my 6th baby right now, i can tell you it is the MOST rewarding part of being a mom!
I nursed all my kiddos no longer than age 2 btw....good luck!!

Denise - posted on 02/25/2010

the experts say any amount of breast milk is great but that you shopuld try for the first year as a goal, I was lucky with both of my girls...my first for 17months and my second for 16 months. I truely believe it has made a difference in their health and growth

Susan - posted on 02/24/2010

I fed our first daughter, who is now 5, until she was 2 1/2, then weaned her off. Our 16 month old is still breast feeding too - it is a lovely way to have 'you' time with your wee one!

Terri - posted on 02/21/2010

Loved it...breastmilk only until 6 months and then nursed until 18 months! She quit when she was ready...I wasn't!

Bonnie - posted on 02/19/2010

I breastfeed tmy two older children who are now 11 and 6 both of them didn't make it breastfeeding past 5 months. I don't know what happen it just disappeared both times. I was pumping while I went to work and nursed when I got home with them. I have my 11 week old now and for medical reason she has had to switch to bottles and fomula twice but it was just for 48 hours. Know I am producing more milk out of one side then the other and now she will latch on for a few gulps then she wants to play. I am supposed to go back to work. I am switching her over to formula so I started giving her both and still trying to pump in between. Bt even though my older once didn't nurse very long they are rarely sick and don't get ear infections. I can't remember the last time they have had a fever or a cold. the most they have had it a 24hr stomach bug. I believe as long as you do for as long as they want to nurse they will be fine. Mine have been so far.

Charala - posted on 02/18/2010

It has been a while, but I do believe that 'they' say that the first 6 weeks are the most crucial for babies to receive breast milk. (When you breastfeed you pass your immune system on to the baby, so anything you built up an immunity then your child will be immune also.)
After that it is really up to you. The newer formulas have a lot of the key essential components found in breast milk these days. I breastfeed all of mine for as long as I had enough milk for them and then switched to formula.
By the way, on my first child I remember all of the books and pamphlets saying that "if breastfeeding hurts then the baby is latched on incorrectly". However, what you need to know is that it WILL feel uncomfortable for the couple of weeks. =o/
Good Luck and Enjoy!
p.s.
Breastfeeding is really great. You can't forget the bottle when you go out and you don't have to get up and go to the kitchen in the middle of the night. And it really is a one of a kind experience.

Lisa - posted on 02/18/2010

I plan to breastfeed for a year. It does take some practice at first so you need to just stick it out in the beginning. I have been doing it for 8.5 months and it is true that the babies are healthier, my daughter has had only one cold.

Wanda - posted on 02/17/2010

This might sound crazy, but I breastfed my younger son, Kevin for 5 years straight...I remember taking him to pre-k and having him come home anxious for breastfeeding...If I were to get pregnant again, I would do it all over again...I once read an article (you might want to look into that) that said that a baby's brain continues to develop thru his early years and recommended breastfeeding as long as you can...the benefits are endless. Althought, 5 years breastfeeding my baby sounds extreme, I sure don't regret any of it....they hold a special place in my heart...I'm sure you'll do great breastfeeding...good luck.

Carolin - posted on 02/17/2010

I breastfed both my kids until they were 1- 1/2 yr old. I pumped milk while at work and gave it to my daycare provider each morning and that helped facilitate the breastfeeding process. Also, I suggest you start your baby getting used to a bottle asap. I waited too long and then it was tough to get them to take it when needed.

Megan - posted on 02/15/2010

I plan on breastfeeding for a year. I talked to a lactation consultant about it and she told me about all of the benefits of breastfeeding. I have been warned and I completely understand that it's not easy when you start and it takes some time to get used to it, and some mothers can't even do it because of health reasons. Talk it over with your doctor and if you plan on it, definitely talk to a lactation consultant, which your doctor could refer you to.

Autumn - posted on 02/14/2010

I nursed exclusively for six months and then on demand after we started solids until he was 3 and a half - at the end, it was only once every couple of days until he gradually weaned completely. I attended monthly La Leche League meetings which was a great support and helped me with extended breastfeeding. My son has only been sick twice and he's almost four; he rarely even gets colds. He's very smart and considered to be advanced academically.

Maggie - posted on 02/13/2010

I don't think there is a "time" limit. However you feel comfortable doing it is what I say! I nursed mine for only 6 weeks. It gave them a good start. It was easy to ween them off. Both sons are adults and doing great!
Maggie

Miriam - posted on 02/12/2010

I expressed milk for my 1st child for 2 months as he refused to latch. I breastfeed my 2nd until he was 4 months and I had to go back to work. He would not take expressed milk from a bottle. Both are perfectly healthy and have not had any illnesses other than colds.

Tamie - posted on 02/11/2010

There's a breastfeeding tea, and fenugreek herbal supplements you can get at your local healthfood store. I'm lucky enough to have a Chinese pharmacy in nearby Chinatown (in Ottawa) were the pharmacist pointed out several cheap supplements he thought would be helpful. YMMV

I brought a DVD home from the library about breastfeeding, where the doctor/author advised to supplement with formula by inserting a fine tube into a bottle of formula, while the other end was slipped in the side of the mouth of the nursing baby. The mum's breasts would still get enough stimulation to create more milk in the long run. The baby gets other benefits besides calories/nutrients from suckling: stimulation to the entire GI track, bonding and comfort from mum, etc.

Tracy - posted on 02/11/2010

i breast fed my first child till she was 6 weeks then i was told she wasn't getting enough milk so had to bottle she has allergys and high blood pressure but my second child i fed till she was 2 and a half and she doesn't get to ill and she is very clever

Tamie - posted on 02/10/2010

Some links where you can find more info and help:

La Leche League USA http://www.lllusa.org/ (search their groups for someone that can come & help you in your area)

http://askdrsears.com/html/2/T020100.asp

http://www.attachmentparenting.org/paren...

What to do if BF baby bites: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/baby/breastf...

And re: gas
Bruno got a lot of gas early on. I learned to burp him before changing breasts. And I'd rub his back - when I patted his back he'd spit up. Oh, and I changed sides a lot. If after 10 minutes I couldn't discern any swallowing, I'd switch. I figured after 10 minutes, the other one would have "filled up" again. This also gives a sore breast a little break.

Kathleen - posted on 02/10/2010

So it is recommended 6 months of just breastfeeding (no solids), 12 months minimum of breastfeeding is the recomendation from World Health Organisation. I've been feeding my little boy now for 15 months! its lovely!

Tamie - posted on 02/10/2010

cut and pasted from the WHO website:
"Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended up to 6 months of age, with continued breastfeeding along with appropriate complementary foods up to two years of age or beyond."

Here's the link: http://www.who.int/topics/breastfeeding/...

So, my goal was to BF exclusively for 6 months and with food for over 2 years, perhaps as long as 4 years. During the first 6 months I BF my son, Bruno a *lot* - seemingly constantly. My milk looked very watery, but apparently this is exactly what his body needed, because his growth has been off the charts.

If you are certain that you are not producing enough milk, get a pump, and use it right after every feeding for 15 minutes. This will give your partner (and/or one of the Grandparents?) an opportunity to feed & bond with the baby while you have a nap.

I know I'm going to get flack for this, because while you are breastfeeding you're supposed to gaze adoringly into your baby's eyes - but I had quite a bit of discomfort with painful nipples, engorged breasts, etc. and the only way I could manage prolonged BF was to watch something interesting on TV or read at the same time. Reading became increasingly difficult as Bruno became more mobile and more easily distracted by the things around him. He wanted to grab the book. I found stuff to watch on Youtube when there was nothing on TV or it was really late.

I am convinced that Bruno has had so few colds and no ear infections to date (knock wood) because he's been BF'ing to this date. If we drop some of the BF sessions, I hope to keep the morning and evening feedings as long as possible.

He's had 2 colds so far and would not eat any solids and drank very little aside from BF, so thank heaven I could at least get those calories into him. He probably would have been fine - but I would have gone bonkers.

Julia - posted on 02/10/2010

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends breastfeeding for a minimum of one year, and after that for "as long as is mutually desired by mother and child". The WHO (World Health Organization) encourages mothers to try to nurse for a minimum of two years.

Jessica - posted on 02/09/2010

I have read reports of mother's breastfeeding well into their children's youth where the child is 5-6 years old. Personally, I find that a bit strange, but I guess for some people it just is what it is. Breastfeeding is very good for your child's health and development and the longer the better to a degree. If you become uncomfortable breastfeeding due to pain or teething, you can always start pumping. Unfortunately, I was only able to breastfeed my son for a short time. I had him on my breast for the first two weeks and then switched to the pump, but due to a condition I was born with, I only have one breast, so I had half a supply of breast milk and I was depleted quickly. My doctor said it is ideal to breastfeed up to the first year of your child's life, but in most cases and with busy lifestyles, 6 months is nothing to be frowned upon. Just keep in mind, even if it's just a little, it's more than nothing. With most mother's, the length of time in which they breastfeed is a totally personal choice.
You do what you can.

Jessica - posted on 02/09/2010

No matter how long you go, it's going to be better than formula feeding. Obviously, the longer you go, the better! Research, is saying BF for 2+ years now is best. I went for 10 months BF. I quit b/c my daughter got her teeth in and would bite me pretty hard. I tried everything I could to get her to stop but after 2 or 3 weeks of biting and me getting super anxious about nursing, I knew it was time to stop.

Vivien - posted on 02/06/2010

Breastfeeding is recommended by the WHO for a minimum of 6 months and up to a year but there are mums and babies who are happy to continue for longer eg two years... it is entirely up to you but breastfeeding does remain the best for your baby if you can manage it.

Cindy - posted on 02/06/2010

I feel the longer you can it is so much better for the kids. I breast fed both of mine my 1st was almost 2 probley to long but he was healthy I have 2 grand kids that were bottle fed and they are always sick .our milk has so much that a child requires so if you can breastfeed you are a good mom and also it really helps you bond with your child

Cathy - posted on 02/04/2010

My doctor said to go for a year. I did it for 6 months due to my milk supply going down. It is so worth it but it is not as easy as it looks. Breastfeeding nurses are a must.