How long should I breastfeed for?

The short answer to this question is, as long as you (and your baby) want to. The problem of course with this answer is that what we want is so deeply influenced by societal norms and the opinions of others, and additionally what the media and commercial markets have to say about it.

It means that when you ask the question, how long should I breastfeed for? You are really asking lots of different questions including, when will people think it is too weird to continue? What is normal? What is best for my baby? Will I damage my child by continuing to breastfeed? What will people think of me as a parent if I stop/continue breastfeeding? What is the value of breastfeeding beyond infancy?

So let’s change the question and look at the facts first.

What does breastfeeding look like in evolutionary/biological terms?

When we watch nature programs we never stop to think, why is that fox/elephant/giraffe BREASTfeeding? Why? Because we expect mammals to feed their young with their own milk. We also expect that whenever they stop feeding is the right the time for them to stop, because they are merely following their instincts and doing what they need to do. Human Beings have long since stopped following our instincts in many respects. We can sometimes even think that our ability to make reasoned and conscious decisions actually makes us superior to other animals. Maybe it does, when it comes to investing in the stock market, or when we engineer earthquake proof buildings, but listening to our instincts is not an inferior way of making decisions, it is how we have survived and evolved over millennia into the complex beings that we are today.

 What is normal?  Well, it is normal, biologically, to breastfeed our young until they naturally self-wean. This tends to lie anywhere between aged 3 and aged 7 (but can fall either side). If you think of the term ‘milk teeth’ and consider that it is no accident that our first set of teeth are lost and replaced between these ages, it makes sense then that our smaller teeth in a smaller mouth and jaw, which make latching and suckling possible, would make way for larger adult teeth at a time that coincides with the need for nursing to be reduced or stopped.

Mylo’s first proper go at latching on, at hours old.

What is best for my baby? Newborn babies are expected to nurse frequently; we can see them growing every day, which helps us to accept their need for our nutritionally complete, high calorie and ever-changing wonder food. However, up until the age of 1, milk is still the main form of nutrition, and breastmilk substitutes, follow-on milks and cow’s, goat’s and soy milk are really only a substitute or a complimentary food (past 6 months). Processed powdered cow’s milk or the milk from another mammal can sustain a child but it is never a true replacement for human mother’s milk. In addition, unlike substitutes, breastmilk continues to change with your child’s growth, in order that they receive maximum benefit in even the smallest mouthful, no matter what their age.

Tandem feeding, newborn and almost 2. Our clever bodies produce everything needed to feed our young, even if their needs are different.

What is the value of breastfeeding beyond infancy? Uniquely reactive to your child, it passes on antibodies to support the immune system, as they enter the unfamiliar surroundings of childcare, pre-school and mainstream school, and become exposed to new viruses and bacteria, as well as consistently providing comfort, security and pain relief, it is a food that cares holistically for our children meeting their physical, mental and emotional needs in a way that nothing else does. The World Health Organisation recommends feeding for a minimum of two years with extended benefits for children fed until age 3 and beyond, because frankly it is the healthiest thing you can give to your child, and so to answer another question, will I damage my child by continuing to breastfeed? Erm no.

My 4 year old hiding from the camera (on the left) My 2 year old playing with my new twiddle necklace from Rosebud. We don’t often tandem feed anymore, they take it in turns.

In the light of the FACTS, the questions that consider other people’s feelings (is it weird? what will people think of me etc?) in the matter become moot because to quote Dr Seuss, “Those that mind don’t matter, and those that matter don’t mind.” The only person who can make decisions for you, your body and your baby/toddler/child, is you, and you should breastfeed for as long as YOU want to.

If you need support with breastfeeding, antenatally or postnatally, look for your local organisation here. If you are local to me, in Wakefield, follow FAB Wakefield on Facebook.

Love from

Sheryl @simplynatal xx

FAB Wakefield currently have spaces available on their FREE antenatal course, call 01924 851901 in office hours to book your place (Wakefield residents).

Simply Natal Group courses and Pregnancy Relaxation courses can be booked here or by getting in touch.