How Long to Nurse?

Updated on May 06, 2007
A.V. asks from Chesterton, IN
14 answers

I've enjoyed reading the comments on breastfeeding and weaning. My daughter is almost 12 weeks. I work 3 days per week and pump at work but nurse while with her. She is very petite and is in the 20th percentile for her weight, and so we do supplement with forumula. B/c we introduced the formula (Soy)and bottle early on she has no problems with the formula or bottle. I get conflicting suggestions about how long to nurse. What are the benefits past 9-12 months or so? Or is it a more personal decision when you wean? Thanks-A.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all of your responses about when to wean. I've visited the websites suggested and I have done more reading and I have a clearer picture of what to expect the next year or so. I also feel better about her weight. I will be contacting a lactation consultant in the future if I have any more questions. Thanks! A.

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A.S.

answers from Austin on

The benefit to a child past 12 months is mostly the same as it is prior to that. It is easy to digest....so if they are sick alot of times it is the only thing they will eat. You pass on the antibodies your body makes in your milk. So, if you baby gets sick and you are in close contact, your body starts to make antibodies (assuming you have been exposed to that before) which are passed to your baby through your milk, regardless of the age. Your milk also gets more "potent" persay, as the child gets older, so even though they get less, the milk that they do get is packed with antibodies and dense in nutrition.

Really the only difference is that prior to 12 months, the brain cells are rapidly forming and the fat in breastmilk is important in this formation.

There is a lot more information here. http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-links.html

I found nursing a toddler to be much more beneficial to me personally too than nursing a baby. The bonding time is very important and powerful. A toddler is so full of energy and running running running all the time. This is abotu the only thing you can get them to stop and chill out for. It is less invconvienient as they get older because you do it less often and they understand the concept of "later" so if you are busy you don't have to stop right away and nurse. The hormones released when nursing helped me to calm and center myself everyday after work, and help remind you of what is really important in your life and that that child is all that matters.

I am curious why you are supplementing your daughter? It is really in her best interests to get only breastmilk. Any other food before 12 months removes some of the healthy intenstinal flora. http://breastfeed.com/resources/articles/virgingut.htm
Some mothers have to supplement, but if your child has been small all along it is much more likely just her genetics than any issue with how much she is eating. If you visit an LC they can weigh your child before and after she nurses to see how much she has gotten to eat. As long as she stays in the same area percentage wise, give or take a little, she doesn't need any formula, and actually you are lucky that she didn't have any issues with nipple confusion, starting very young with bottles (my son did).

I went back to work full time at 10 weeks and pumped for my son till he was 14 months. Then I continued to nurse him only when I was home until he was 29 months and self-weaned. It was the hardest, but most worthwhile experience I have ever had in my life. We struggled ALOT, but in the end, I am sooo glad I stuck with it and made it work. My child is healthier because of it, and we have a fantastic relationship. He is extremely well adjusted and I like to think that our nursing relationship had alot to do with that.

Congratulations on your little girl and much luck to come!! Feel free to contact me anytime if you need anything. I am hoping to become an LC someday and have just started studying for it.

also......Experts don't reccommend 12 months as the time to wean. What they do reccomend is exclusive nursing (no other foods) to at least 6 months, and to continue nursing till AT LEAST 12 months. 12 months is not any kind of magic age where they start getting less out of breastmilk, it is only the time when their digestive system is more mature and more able to handle to potential allergens in cow's milk. 12 months should be considered the earliest to introduce other kinds of milk rather than a time to wean. Each child has their own time table as far as this goes.

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P.D.

answers from Chicago on

A.:

How long to breastfeed is a very personal decision that is often subject to cultutal influences.

The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) says to breastfeed exclusively for 6 months adn continue as long there after as mother and child want. The Surgeon General said it is a lucky child to be brastfed for 2 years.

Breastmilk is always nutricous/always contains antibodies and immunological properties.

An excellent book on this was written my Kathy Detwieller... I do not know the name of offhand.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

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K.

answers from Chicago on

Hi A.,
Most of the other moms have said what there is to say, but I thought I'd add another voice that your child's weight is no reason to supplement. My 11 month old son has been around 60% height and 20% weight his entire life. He gains weight steadily and our doc is not worried at all. I still nurse him - he's never had formula in his life - and he loves it. I think about him turning one in 3 weeks and I can't imagine weaning him because it makes him so happy - and it makes ME happy. At this point we're down to about 4 meals per day (including one during the night) and it's not really too inconvenient even though I work full time. I basically don't have to pump anymore.

Of course weaning is a personal decision, but there are many benefits to breastfeeding beyond one year. Once kids get a little older they are so BUSY that nursing may be the only quiet snuggle time you get with them.

Anyway, it sounds like you're doing great. And the other moms are right - you can probably drop the supplement bottle and replace it with breastfeeding - just do it over the stretch of days when you're home all the time and feed her on demand. It will probably take 3-4 days to bump your supply enough to really replace that one bottle. If you keep supplementing your supply won't ever grow.

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

As someone who also had to supplement in order to make breastfeeding work for my daughter (I haven't been producing quite enough milk most of the time and my daughter was hungry!) I am suprised to see how many people have jumped on the fact that you are supplementing. Personally, if you're doing what you can to keep your milk supply up for her and it's still not enough - a little supplementing can save a whole lot of headaches, in my experience. You've got to do whatever you need to do to keep your child healthy and happy as best you can.

When you hit the one-year mark, that's when you can start offering up whole milk. I've found that whole milk in bottles for now has replaced the supplemented formula.

The antibody/immunity benefits are what I've heard talked about most in the physical reasons to keep breastfeeding. I've watched my daughter start her day with a runny nose and puffy eyes and be a happy, clear-nosed little girl again at the end of the day - it can literally seem to work that fast! She seems to know too, and when she's sick she tends to push the solid food away and empty out whatever I've got as often as possible. I believe it's not just a comfort thing for her - I think her body knows she needs the antibodies I can give her so she craves the breastmilk more. I know I had spats during pregnancy when I suddenly craved broccoli, as if my body was telling me I needed more green veggies going into my system. As time goes on, I think we have stopped listening to our bodies as much, but babies still have some of that instinct left in them.

Ideally, you will be able to feed her for as long as she wants to nurse. Personally, I look at my four-year-old son and know that it is unlikely I would still feel comfortable breastfeeding him, especially if I had to do it in public. I hope my daughter will wean herself unless other forces intervene and I have to stop.

Hang in there - those first few months of breastfeeding are the roughest to plow through. You mention being at the 3-month mark, which I recall as being a point when quite a few things start sorting themselves out and settling into a slight pattern. Good luck!

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S.G.

answers from Chicago on

You mention her being in the 20th percentile for weight, but don't mention height at all. If both numbers are consistent (low, high, whatever) it's usually not an indication of anything major. I have a 4yo daughter who's always been in the 95 and up range for height AND weight, and have never been concerned. I have a friend with a six year old who's in the 10%ile for both height and weight, and the mom is a retired pediatrician, who says "no big deal". (BTW: my 4yo towers over his 6yo, and is taller than most 5s - kinda funny if we weren't going through clothes and food so fast!)

Also note that for a child that young, a difference in half an inch or half a pound can often mean a BIG difference in percentile numbers, so I wouldn't put too much stock in it. Your only concern should be weight DROP.

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C.D.

answers from Chicago on

In a nutshell....12 months is when regular milk can be introduced as opposed to formula or nursing, so it is a common time to wean AND a year is what is recommended by the experts in the field. Formula is an IMITATION of breastmilk. It's impossible to do an EXACT imitation, so nursing is best because it is all natural as nature intended having all the nutrients the baby needs. Hope this helps.

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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for the first 2 yrs of life. It seems to be just in the US that they focus on the 1 year mark (and that is for AT LEAST 1 yr). Benefits extend way beyond the first year in terms of comfort, immunity, oral motor development, and so on. Also, don't feel that you need to supplement with formula, there are many ways to increase your supply. Lactation consultants are great resources for that...
-Karen C.

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M.P.

answers from Chicago on

I don't have a whole lot to say, it's all been said by the other moms here but I will throw my two cents in. Being a small baby doesn't warrant being supplemented by formula. There isn't any reason to believe that she isn't the exact right weight for her. As somebody pointed out, the growth charts were created by formula companies. My daughter was in the 95th percentile for the longest time, it was right for her and I wasn't about to put her on a diet. The benefits to nursing are immeasurable(sp?) even past the one year mark. Just because formula fed babies are swithed to cow's milk at a year doesn't mean that a breastfed baby ought to also. She will be healthier for being on breastmilk for as long as you and she enjoy it. The best way to wean a baby is to let them to decide. That being said, I commend you for breastfeeding this long already, most women have already stopped due to the supposed inconvenience of it. As if any baby, bottle fed or breast fed is convenient.... Go with your gut. Your pediatrician may be great but she is no better equipped to tell you how to feed your baby than you are. Doctors are great when there is actually something wrong but they aren't experts when it comes to advice. As you said it is a personal decision when to wean, some women aren't comfortable nursing a much older baby but don't feel pressured to stop by a year old either.
GOOD LUCK!!!

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N.S.

answers from Chicago on

I have to do a little cheer for all of you mamas out there who were so positive and informed about breastfeeding. I commend you all and am very proud of you all. Although reading the postings made we thrilled to bits I was a little disappointed as well that there were not more mothers out there who are putting the effort in to exclusively breastfeed and stay informed about the "true" benefits of breastfeeding. I am baffled why that is? It is too bad that so many women do not give it all the effort it needs to succeed long-term. It is so rare that a woman truly cannot produce the appropriate amount and often poor guidance, bad influences, and horrible peer pressure cause women to give up way too soon, or not even try in the first place. I have heard over and over again women justify weaning after a few weeks or months because "they didn't have milk" or a mariad of other reasons. I can tell you based on A LOT of research mothers do have the potential to breastfeed however long they want (usually) however often do not know how to get the best counseling to resolve whatever issues are holding it back from happening. I also think the professional world and the workforce has held back mothers from doing what they need to do as mothers and instead it is just too challenging to put the huge effort in maintaining a breastfeeding relationship with their toddler or infant. It is saddening and disheartening that we are tested so greatly with something so naturally a part of what being maternal is all about.

On a lighter note, I commend you for trying to keep up the breastfeeding. You will NEVER EVER regret nursing as long as you do and you will always feel great satisfaction for the bond you have created with your child. Unfortunately that same bond does not happen otherwise. Good luck and keep up the awesome work!

N.P.

answers from Chicago on

Do what you feel is best for you and your child. It is recommended to feed at least until 12 months but you can go less or go more. The benefits are the same. And for doing it any amount of time you should be proud as some mom's don't even try or give up after a month. I nursed my twins for 10 months. I just stopped on Sunday and all this week I have thought about starting up again. We were down to one feeding a day (just couldn't produce enough nor get them to chill but 1 feeding for the last few weeks). My twins are in the lower percentile too and I have had to supplement... they just weren't full from my breasts. Good luck.

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E.R.

answers from Chicago on

It is hugely beneficial to your daughter to get breastmilk for the first year and beyond. She gets daily immunity benefits from you which actually increase in the second year of life.

I agree about not supplementing. You make breastmilk based on demand, so every time you supplement her that is milk your body will not make. Also, what is wrong with being in the 20th percentile? I just love how doctors make parents feel like they are inadequately nourishing their child with breastmilk based on percentile charts that were made by FORMULA companies. Also, when there is an epidemic of childhood obesity. it is NOT a bad thing for your daughter to be on the light side. My breastfed son has been all over the charts and is currently in the EIGHTH percentile for weight and the 60th for height. It does not make any difference. Don't let the height/weight thing get you all worried. It's hard, especially for a first time mom. But it means nothing. She does not need to be supplemented. I love how doctors make you feel bad when your baby is too thin but then when you have an overweight child it's your fault.

Of course, it is a personal decision when to wean, but there is no reason to stop until YOU and your daughter want to. The links posted by another poster are great. Also, don't trust your ped. to know too much about nursing. For the most part, they really don't know too much about it and are heavily courted by formula companies to push their products.

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C.P.

answers from Chicago on

Hi A.:

My son is almost 2 1/2 and we still nurse (I am at home FT). He has had two colds since he was born. My daughter was similar (nursed till 3) and our pediatrician attributes their excellent health to my long term nursing as he says he sees this general tendency in his practice.

Short term and long term health benefits are my hopes for my kids.

Formula was so much the norm during our own infancies that our society still tip-toes around telling young moms that nursing as long as possible is best for our kids.

Having said this, however, I also recognize that our society is tough on families and that living up to what is ideal for ourselves and our kids is tough.

You have lots of informatin; good luck!

Best,

Barbara

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E.W.

answers from Chicago on

Hi A.,
Congratulations on your decision to nurse. That is one of the best gifts you can give your little girl. There is no "right" time to wean. As was mentioned earlier, 6 months of JUST nursing with no other foods is best for allergies, etc. The Pediatric Association suggests breastfeeding to 12 months, because babies cannot tolerate milk before that. This way, you don't have to introduce formula, since it can be more difficult for babies to digest. That is not to say that you have to stop at 12 months. My daughter weaned shortly after her first b-day, more due to her interest in a cup! Also, the more you nurse/pump, the more milk you will have to feed your baby. My daughter was 5th percentile at birth for height and weight, so I can understand your concern that she needs more. I did some extra pumping so she had more to eat. Good for you for doing what you are doing!
E.

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T.S.

answers from Chicago on

A.,

They say that the 1st 12 months is ideal to breastfeed. That being said, I changed to formula at about 7 months with our son. My supply was down and we were going on vacation when he was 10 months (he was staying home). I didn't want to bring the pump with me on the trip and I wouldn't have been able to pump enough to stock up for when we were gone.

I'm pregnant again and will breastfeed/pump for as long as I can and as long as it works best for our family. In my honest opinion, that's what every mother should do. Exactly what works best for her and her family.

Good luck.

T.

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