As a certified breastfeeding counselor (CBC), you’re likely to get frequent questions about breastfeeding duration. “How long should I breastfeed?” is a common question. Some clients are seeking current evidenced based recommendations. Other clients are seeking validation in their personal breastfeeding goals.
The easiest answer to provide a client is, well, easier than you’d expect. “How long should I breastfeed?” can be easily answered with, “However long you both desire.”
When I first interned with an IBCLC lactation consultant, I witnessed her answer this question. She simply responded, “However long you want. They’re your breasts.”
Often, parents are looking for support, not pressure. We should absolutely provide evidenced based information, but we can do so with the understanding that each situation is unique. She then followed up her first response with, “and the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics are…”
Her priority as a lactation professional was to support the parent. She ensured they understood that whatever they choose for themselves is valid. Often, the pressure parents feel to breastfeed can make the experience harder and increase the likelihood they may not reach their personal feeding goals.
However, when they feel heard and supported, they may be more likely to reach their feeding goals. No new parents like to feel unnecessary pressure.
Current World Health Organization Recommendations For, “How Long Should I Breastfeed?”
As mentioned, part of our role is to ensure parents understand current evidenced-based recommendations. This is a great discussion to have before baby’s arrival or during a less stressful part of a visit.
We want to encourage parents to make their feeding goals feel obtainable. It may sound overwhelming for a new parent to think of feeding for one or two years while dealing with forty-minute-long newborn feeds.
However, it is still important to help parents understand the evidenced based recommendations. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusively breastfeeding for six months then alongside solids for at least two years. After two years, as long as mutually desired by both parties.
Yes, the WHO truly recommends breastfeeding at least two years. While the average age of weaning in some countries, like the US, is counted in months, the global age of weaning averages 3-4 years. The WHO makes recommendations on a global population level.
Breastfeeding until at least two years provides significant protection against illness, dehydration, malnutrition, and more. This is important everywhere but especially in places with limited access to clean water, easily accessible healthcare, and more.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Breastfeeding Recommendations
The AAP recommends exclusively breastfeeding for at least six months, followed by complimentary solids, and continued breastfeeding until at least one year. After one year, they also recommend breastfeeding as long as desired by both parties.
The AAP makes recommendations on a population level within the US. Yes, there are continued benefits to breastfeeding a minimum of two years in the US as well. There is no need to wean at one year because the child turns one.
However, in the US, the AAP recommends at least one year to help meet the nutritional needs of infants. They recognize the continued benefits of breastfeeding beyond a year but have different recommendations than the WHO.
As a CBC, it is helpful to explain to parents both recommendations and potential reasons for the differences. Ultimately, breastmilk provides significant benefit however long a parent chooses to provide breast milk.
How Old Is Too Old To Breastfeed?
Some parents, well meaning friends or family, may assume there are ages where breastfeeding is not beneficial. Some incorrectly believe a baby or young child can be “too old” to continue breastfeeding.
Some myths parents might hear about being too old include:
- When baby has teeth
- After three, six, or nine months
- Once baby can have solids
- After one year
- Once baby can talk
- If a baby can walk
- After two years
However long a parent chooses to breastfeed, it has benefits. From an anthropological standpoint, current evidence shows children naturally wean between two and seven years of age. After age seven, and often before, even if a child wanted to continue feeding, the changes to their jaw and mouth make latching properly not possible. Nature has built in a way to ensure weaning eventually occurs.
That said, many parents choose to wean early. There are population level recommendations, and then there is what is right for an induvial. As a CBC, you can assist parents in meeting their unique feeding goals alongside educating about evidenced based recommendations.