How long is it beneficial to breastfeed

There is ample evidence that babies who are breastfed for the first 6 months of life do not experience as many or as severe episodes of common childhood illnesses. These include gastroenteritis , respiratory illnesses and middle ear infections.

It is normal for a parent to feel sad when they wean, especially if it is earlier than expected. A parent may feel they have no choice but to wean. However, most breastfeeding difficulties can be overcome with help.

An Australian Breastfeeding Association counsellor , lactation consultant or maternal and child health nurse can offer you information and support. Returning to the paid workforce need not mean having to wean.

Many parents combine breastfeeding with part or full-time work , study and other commitments. If you decide on a bottle, eventually your baby will need to be weaned from that. Start with whichever breastfeed of the day your baby seems least interested in. If the breasts are uncomfortable when a feed is missed, you may need to express a small amount for comfort, to avoid blocked ducts or discomfort from fullness.

Reduce either the time of expressing or volume removed over days for the breasts to adjust. The concentration of antibodies to bacterial and viral diseases in breastmilk is increased as weaning progresses and milk supply reduces. This ensures that your baby is protected as they are being introduced to new foods and exploring new surroundings. Remember to give your baby plenty of cuddles during the weaning process so that you and your baby still have plenty of close time together.

Slowly reducing the number of breastfeeds protects your baby during the weaning period and will also help you avoid problems such as mastitis. If you need to wean your baby quickly, talk to a healthcare professional or a lactation consultant about caring for your breasts.

Health professionals recommend exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months, with a gradual introduction of appropriate foods in the second 6 months and ongoing breastfeeding for 2 years or beyond.

Babies show they are ready to start solids when they:. A baby born at full term has a store of iron passed on from the mother during pregnancy. Breastmilk contains small amounts of readily absorbed iron, and recent studies have shown that the risk of iron deficiency is very low in full-term healthy breastfed babies who continue to breastfeed past 6 months as solids are introduced. Signing up for breastfeeding support groups or reading about nursing can help new moms prepare. Reach out to a lactation consultant for any concerns.

Seek an online community. Prioritize breastfeeding. But making time to pump will improve the health of both Mother and Baby. Indeed, the Affordable Care Act part of the Fair Labor Standards Act requires many employers to provide these safe spaces, as well as "reasonable" unpaid pumping breaks.

In order to reap the benefits of breastfeeding , experts recommend doing it as long as you can. However, formula is also a great alternative if you can't breastfeed, or if you simply don't want to.

As Long As You Can. Try not to worry too much and don't feel guilty if someone says you didn't breastfeed long enough or you breastfed too long. Have confidence in your choice and the knowledge that you breastfed just the right length of time for you, your child, and your unique situation.

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American Academy of Pediatrics Breast surgery. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. February For moms, the advantages of breastfeeding for six months include a lower risk of type 2 diabetes —even decades later, and this includes moms who experienced gestational diabetes with pregnancy too. Breastfeeding is also a great way to comfort your baby as they experience growth spurts, teething and the occasional bump or bruise.

If you go to work, spending this quality time with your little one when you return home encourages one-on-one bonding.

Plus, establishing a routine gives you both to look forward to after a day of separation. Breastfed babies are also less likely to need orthodontia and speech therapy because the sucking and pausing patterns particular to breastfeeding lead to greater oral development.

It also influences the airway and shape of the roof of the mouth. For moms, 12 cumulative months of breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer. However, the benefits double for moms with a lifetime total of two years breastfeeding. The benefits of breast milk extend beyond the first year. The key is to wean when you and your baby are ready. This timeline is not supposed to serve as a guilt trip or put any extra pressure on new moms we have enough of that!