How long can I breastfeed for? - Breastfeeding explained

 
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How long can I breastfeed for?

 
How long can I breastfeed for?

There is no normal length of time. It's up to each mother and child to decide in terms of their needs, wishes and restrictions.

The World Health Organization recommends integral breastfeeding for up to a minimum of 6 months, and also stress the benefits of prolonging breastfeeding for up to a year or more (alongside introduction to diverse foods). There is therefore no medical reason not to prolong breastfeeding

In the West, we tend to breastfeed for a shorter period (less than 3 months) for cultural reasons (as well as religious, psychoanalytical, sociological and economic reasons such as the development of artificial milk after the Second World War). But be aware that scientifically there is nothing against long-term breastfeeding: it is beneficial to the baby. Besides, it's deemed normal for a two-year-old to take a bottle in the morning and before going to bed. There's no reason why you shouldn't.

One more thing: your child won't bite you even when he has teeth any more than he'd bite the teat of his bottle!



  
  


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Parenting Editor
25/05/2008
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