When should you stop breast feeding?

mary kulundu

August 1, 2017 11:25 AM

The World Health Organization recommends two years and beyond.

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This week is breast feeding and mothers all over the world are discussing their struggles, myths and sharing knowledge on breastfeeding. Our question is: Just how long did it take you to stop breast feeding?

According to New Parent Support, you can breast feed for as long as and your baby want to.

Only Breastfeeding

Feeding your child with only through breastfeeding is advised but only to six months. Afterwards, it's important to do it alongside other foods for as long as you and your baby want. You can actually do it for up to two years.

How to decide

Breastfeeding is important to both you and the baby. For the child it reduces the chances of food intolerances protects him from infections.

On the other hand, breast feeding does more than just give your child nutrients. It is a practical, physical and emotional way of connecting between mother and child.

Everyday you breast feed makes a huge difference to you and your child. There is no limited time as to when you should stop breastfeeding. A baby can have expressed milk, formula milk during the day and still breast feed directly from the mother's breast in the evening.

ALSO READ: Expressing milk could kill your baby

There’s no need to decide at the beginning how long you'll breast feed for. In fact, according t to The World Health Organization, you can breast feed for up to two years and beyond.

Introducing solid foods

By the age of six months, a baby’s body can cope with solids. He can also sit, grasp objects and move them to his mouth. Baby-led weaning is a natural approach where the baby is offered a selection of nutritious finger foods, suitable for his age, and progresses at his own pace.

You can start with softly mashed baby foods as you slowly introduce porridge and other meals. In a year or two the baby can then start eating small proportions of slightly heavier meals.

Don't listen to friends, though they may mean well, the decision to stop breastfeeding, if you are not sure, should come from a doctor who will check the health of your baby and advise better.

How did you breast feed you child? Let's talk below.