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MummyPages EXPERT
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How long should I breastfeed?
Breastmilk is perfect for your baby, covering all the nutritional needs, and it changes as your baby develops, so there is no risk of it being nutritionally 'incorrect' for your baby.The health of your breast milk is dependant on your own health and nutritional intake. There are other health benefits for both you and your baby, as far as breastfeeding goes. Your child is less likely to become sick from illnesses that affect the ears, bowels and lungs. Breastfeeding helps prevent obesity, allergies and diabetes ilater on in your child's life.
In the short-term, breastmilk prevents severe cases of diarrhoea. There are benefits for mothers too. It reduces the incidences of certain cancers and may prevent hip fractures in later life. The hormones that are produced from breastfeeding also help your body return to normal quicker after pregnancy.
Most experts agree that you should feed your child exclusively with breast milk for at least the first six months and then gradually introduce solid foods. Breastfeeding can continue, with solid food supplementing nutritional intake, from six months onwards. If breastfeeding is problematic at the beginning, or becomes a problem, seek help from the nurses in your hospital, your local health nurse or one of many breastfeeding support groups around the country.
(Article amended following comments below and from other community members).
User Answers:
Re: How long should I breastfeed?
This article has been amended following comments below and from other community members.
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MummyPagesSocial | August 29, 2011 03:45 PM |
Re: How long should I breastfeed?
Oops! Should read La 'Leche' (not lech)
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Ange | August 18, 2011 12:02 PM |
Re: How long should I breastfeed?
The answer of course is that it is up to the individual mother and child. The current WHO, UNICEF & HSE guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life followed by continued breastfeeding with appropriate complementary foods for up to two years or beyond.
Re "If breastfeeding is problematic at the beginning, or becomes a problem, you can change over to feeding formula. Formula is not wrong or bad for your child, just not as good as breast milk."
If you are experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding there is help out there - the first port of call should never be formula. If a mother has chosen to breastfeed she deserves to be supported in her choice to do so - suggesting formula as a solution to a breastfeeding issue is poor advice. There is almost always a breastfeeding solution for a breastfeeding problem, but it is important to seek help from the right source someone qualified in the area of breastfeeding. The following organisations are fantastic La Lech League Ireland, Cuidiu (Irish Childbirth Trust) and ALCI (Association of Lactation Consultants Ireland) Steer clear of websites hosted by formula companies with a hidden agenda.
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Ange | August 18, 2011 11:49 AM |
Re: How long should I breastfeed?
There is no right and wrong amount of time which you should breastfeed. It depends on your personal situation. Some babies decide to wean themselves from the breast so you don't get to make the decision yourself!! I"m still breastfeeding 5 and a half month later and really love that time with my daughter !
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Leighly | June 29, 2011 08:03 PM |
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The information contained on MummyPages is not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified medical professional. If in doubt, always consult your doctor.
