Evidence unequivocally demonstrates that breastfeeding is uniquely beneficial during that crucial 1,day window. In fact, the opposite is true — your baby will only get a tiny proportion of his calories and nutrients from food when he first starts solids.
When exclusively breastfeeding, a baby typically consumes to ml At nine to 12 months old, he could still take around ml Whilst the message to promote exclusive breastfeeding for six months is well known, there is not much information on the role of breastfeeding and human milk beyond six months, once complementary foods have been introduced to an infant's diet. This is despite organisations such as the WHO recommending the provision of human milk beyond six months.
Continuing to breastfeed after six months has been shown to lower the chances of some childhood and adult illnesses and, if your baby does get ill, helps him recover more quickly. There are also benefits for your baby in terms of sight 11 , dental problems, 12 and obesity.
Nothing soothes an upset infant or toddler like a nursing session with mum. As your baby grows, a feed helps with everything from teething and vaccinations to the inevitable knocks and scrapes or viruses that occur along the way.
For many mums, breastfeeding can feel like a miracle worker. The act of being close to your baby, instantly responding to his needs and engaging in lots of eye contact also sends signals between you. The longer you breastfeed, the stronger the positive outcome is likely to be.
Did you know that breast milk is actually alive? Studies show a consistent three-point IQ advantage for children who were breastfed over those who were never breastfed. Breastfeeding beyond six months has even been linked to fewer behavioural problems in school-age children 23 and improved mental health in children and adolescents. The health claims on the packaging may look impressive, but there is no better milk for your baby than your own. No formula milk contains all the antibodies, live cells, growth factors, hormones or helpful bacteria, nor the array of enzymes, amino acids and micronutrients found in breast milk.
Read Breast milk vs formula: How similar are they? By continuing breastfeeding beyond six months, you lower your lifelong risk of developing heart disease, 27 type 2 diabetes 28 and cancers of the breast, 29 ovaries 30 and uterus. Not to mention that after six months, breastfeeding is very convenient. Health topics: Breastfeeding [Internet]. When to wean: biological versus cultural perspectives. Clin Obstet Gyecol. Available from www. Breast volume and milk production during extended lactation in women.
Exp Physiol. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. How long you decide to breastfeed your child is up to you. Experts have their recommendations, others have their opinions, but only you along with your doctor and your partner can make the decision about what works for your family. Some women choose to breastfeed for just a few weeks, others breastfeed for many years, and most women do something in-between.
There will always be someone who thinks you breastfed for too long or too short a period. But, there isn't a right or wrong way, and no one should judge you on the length of time you decide to breastfeed. Health experts around the world are pretty much in agreement about when it comes to breastfeeding guidelines. Here are some of the top expert recommendations:. These are some of the terms you'll encounter when reading about breastfeeding. Breastfeeding exclusively is full breastfeeding.
It means that a baby's only nutrition comes from nursing at the breast. An exclusively breastfed child doesn't get anything additional to eat or drink such as formula, water, fruit juice, or baby food. If you can and choose to do it, exclusive breastfeeding is preferred by experts as the primary source of nutrition for the first 4 to 6 months of your child's life.
When you want to breastfeed, but you can't or decide not to do it exclusively, you can choose to combine breastfeeding with formula feeding. There are many reasons that full breastfeeding may not work for your family. If you have to return to work or school right away, you may not be available to breastfeed your child every 2 to 3 hours. Or, if you have underdeveloped breasts or you've had a previous breast surgery, it may not be possible for you to make enough breast milk to meet your growing child's needs.
Combination feeding or partial breastfeeding allows you to continue to breastfeed while supplementing your baby with additional nutrition to make sure she gets everything that she needs.
After exclusive breastfeeding for the first 4 to 6 months, experts recommend the continuation of breastfeeding together with the addition of complementary foods.
Complementary foods are foods other than breast milk. They are not meant to replace breastfeeding but provide more nutrition in addition to breastfeeding. The addition of complementary foods begins when you introduce your baby to his first solid food between 4 and 6 months of age.
Your child's doctor will advise you when and how to start adding solids. Foods such as pureed fruits and vegetables, baby cereal, and age-appropriate nutritious snacks are often tried first. Breastfeeding is still recommended and beneficial to your child at this age, but as your child gets older, breast milk alone will no longer be enough to provide him with all the nutrition that his body requires as he grows.
Any amount of breastfeeding or breast milk that you can give to your child is beneficial. Even a small amount of colostrum, the first breast milk , is valuable to your child. That first breast milk is packed with more than just nutrition.
It also contains antibodies and other immune properties. So, even if you only choose to breastfeed for a little while in the beginning, that early breast milk can help protect your newborn from illnesses such as diarrhea , ear infections, and respiratory infections.
If you continue to breastfeed past the newborn stage , it's even more advantageous. Breastfeeding can lower your child's risk of developing asthma, allergies, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. It may also decrease your risk of ovarian and breast cancer. The benefits of breastfeeding for both moms and babies are numerous. And the longer you breastfeed, the greater and more long-lasting they will be. There is not a particular age before which breastfeeding must end.
Depending on how you and your child feel, experts agree that you should continue to breastfeed for as long as you find that it works for you. Breast milk still provides older children with additional nutrition for a complete, healthy diet. It also continues to provide antibodies and immune properties that help older children fight off infection, disease, and illness. Breastfeeding will continue to be beneficial for however long you breastfeed your baby.
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. If you become pregnant , you may choose to continue to breastfeed or you may like to gradually wean your baby.
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.
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