Melody - posted on 03/05/2011 ( 102 moms have responded )
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I was wondering what you guy's thought on this matter. I personally planned to breastfeed for one year, my son is 7 months now. Then, yesterday when I was at the doctor for myself, she asked why I was still breastfeeding. She said after 3 months the nutritional value is basically gone and it is mostly water. Now, I have never heard that before. I always heard 6 months would be great, and a year ideal. So I was wondering what you guys have heard on this subject?
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To put it nicely.... that doctor is crazy and very uninformed. Breastmilk never turns to water and will have nutritional value for as long as your child continues to have it.
I weaned my twin girls at 15 months. My son will be 3 on the 27th of this month and is still nursing.
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Water?! Man, there are some seriously ignorant doctors out there, scary really. And where did she get the three months from? Either way, the benefits of breastfeeding remain as long as you are doing it, so keep it up until you or your baby don't want to anymore. I think the one year recommendation might stem from being able to avoid formula, but you certainly don't have to wean after that either. Nursing will still be good for your child.
Jennifer - posted on 03/05/2011
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yikes, find a new doctor ASAP. if breastmilk turned to water after 3 months, the human race would never have survived. breastmilk NEVER turns to water.
as far as how long to breastfeed, it is a personal decision. i consider 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding (absolutely nothing besides breastmilk) and continued breastfeeding (with complimentary solids) until one year (AAP recommendations) is the absolute bare minimum for my family. at least 2 years is ideal for us, though. the world health organization recommends at least 2 years, and beyond that as long as mutually desired.
Merry - posted on 03/05/2011
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How Long Should I Nurse My Baby?
Prepared by Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.
Department of Anthropology,
Texas A&M University
What do pediatric nutrition experts at the national (United States) and international levels recommend concerning how long children should be breastfed?
I. World Health Organization: “two years of age or beyond”
http://www.who.int/nut/documents/gs_infa...)D
Promoting appropriate feeding for infants and young children
10. Breastfeeding is an unequalled way of providing ideal food for the healthy growth and development of infants; it is also an integral part of the reproductive process with important implications for the health of mothers. 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. Exclusive breastfeeding from birth is possible except for a few medical conditions, and unrestricted exclusive breastfeeding results in ample milk production.
II. American Academy of Pediatrics: “It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.”
http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi...)
RECOMMENDED BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES
6. Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months after birth. Infants weaned before 12 months of age should not receive cow's milk feedings but should receive iron-fortified infant formula. Gradual introduction of iron-enriched solid foods in the second half of the first year should complement the breast milk diet. It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.
III. American Academy of Family Physicians: “Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired.*********** If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned.”************
http://www.aafp.org/x6633.xml
AAFP Policy Statement on Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the physiological norm for both mothers and their children. The AAFP recommends that all babies, with rare exceptions, be breastfed and/or receive expressed human milk exclusively for about the first six months of life. Breastfeeding should continue with the addition of complementary foods throughout the second half of the first year. Breastfeeding beyond the first year offers considerable benefits to both mother and child, and should continue as long as mutually desired. Family physicians should have the knowledge to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding. (1989) (2001)
AAFP, Specific section on nursing the older child:
Nursing Beyond Infancy
Breastfeeding should ideally continue beyond infancy, but this is currently not the cultural norm and requires ongoing support and encouragement.85 Breastfeeding during a subsequent pregnancy is not unusual. If the pregnancy is normal and the mother is healthy, breastfeeding during pregnancy is the woman's personal decision. If the child is younger than two years of age, the child is at increased risk of illness if weaned. Breastfeeding the nursing child after delivery of the next child (tandem nursing) may help to provide a smooth transition psychologically for the older child.6
IV. Kathy Dettwyler’s Research: My research suggests that the normal and natural duration of breastfeeding for modern humans falls between 2.5 years at a minimum and about 7 years at a maximum.
Merry - posted on 03/06/2011
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And as your son becomes a toddler it gets really fun too! Eric tries to tickle me while bf, or he points out my face body parts, or plays with my hair, and sometimes when he's done he says 'yummy' or he will stroke my chest or pat the other breast gently, once he asked to bf and I said hold on a minute and he said again 'please mommy!' melted my heart! It's like if you breastfeed long enough your child starts to show their appreciation more and more and the rewards are so wonderful!