Breast feeding how many months

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In fact, according to a report released by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research in , for every five months of breastfeeding, a woman may reduce risk of breast cancer by 2 percent.

Exclusive breastfeeding may also provide up to 98 percent effective contraception in the first six months if the menstrual period has not yet returned and mom continues nightly feedings. Feeding recommendations between 6 and 12 months of age include breastfeeding on demand and offering other foods between 3 to 5 times a day. During this time, breast milk should still be offered before meals, with table foods considered supplemental. With the exception of a possible continued reduction in the risk for breast cancer, sources do not note a continued lowering of the risk of other illnesses to moms who breastfeed longer than six months.

Another benefit of breastfeeding long-term is cost savings. Babies who are breastfed for a year also may have stronger immune systems and may be less likely to need speech therapy or orthodontic work. The theory is that all that sucking at the breast helps to develop muscles in and around the mouth.

Feeding recommendations at a year and beyond include breastfeeding on demand and offering other foods five times a day. Some older research suggests that longer duration breastfeeding may give kids an edge when it comes to IQ scores and social development. However, more recent research has found that the benefits to IQ may only be temporary. There are many reasons women decide to supplement feeding with bottles of breast milk or commercial formulas.

Your baby can still benefit from receiving some breast milk. Some benefits of combination feeding include:. In different parts of the world, the average weaning age is between 2 and 4 years old.

Some children are breastfed until ages 6 or 7 in other cultures. That said, the decision over when to wean is personal. Actively dropping breastfeeding feeds is the next step in the process once meals are better established. If you sense resistance or if your child wants to nurse, breastfeed them. The process might not be linear, and you can always try again tomorrow. In the meantime, work on methods of distraction with meals, toys, or stuffed animals, and other activities.

This is an individual choice. Whether or not you choose to continue breastfeeding, it is important to maintain a healthy diet. Seek advice from your health professional or the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Some parents and babies enjoy breastfeeding so much they are in no hurry to stop. It is not unusual for children up to 4 years of age to continue to be breastfed.

Family members and friends may feel uncomfortable about extended breastfeeding and it can be helpful to have information to give your family and friends about why you have decided to keep breastfeeding.

This may include information about the continued health benefits, security and comfort for your child. You may be ready to cease breastfeeding, but your child may resist all your attempts to do so. There are many strategies for weaning a baby. Unfortunately the child would need to be able to take a bottle, sippy cup, or straw cup comfortably before you are able to wean, to ensure they are able to take adequate feed volumes.

If your child can talk and understand well, talk with them about your breastfeeding. Explain that you are going to stop and introduce other ways that you can enjoy being close together. You could seek professional advice about weaning or difficulties associated with weaning. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Children should always be closely supervised near animals and taught how to behave safely around pets.

You can help your child overcome anxiety by taking their fears seriously and encouraging them to talk about their feelings. Pregnant women with asthma need to continue to take their asthma medication as it is important to the health of both mother and baby that the mother's asthma is well managed.

Most injuries to babies do not occur by chance - many are predictable and largely preventable. Some children are unsettled the first few nights in a 'big bed'.

Try to be patient, loving and reassuring. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. After six months, you can start introducing solids into her diet while continuing regular nursing; you'll have to experiment to find a feeding schedule that works best. Keep breastfeeding until your baby turns one year old, if you can. You can definitely nurse beyond the one year guideline; in fact, extended breastfeeding has plenty of benefits for brain development, the immune system, and mother-child bonding.

But according to breastfeeding statistics compiled by the CDC from across America, only about 15 percent of mothers breastfeed at 18 months. Indeed, many women decide that formula-feeding is easier than pumping throughout the workday. If you want to breastfeed for the recommended time frame, there are steps you can take to make everything go smoothly. Get educated. Signing up for breastfeeding support groups or reading about nursing can help new moms prepare.

Reach out to a lactation consultant for any concerns.