How long shall I breastfeed?

To breastfeed a baby is a most valuable gift – for the child, for the mother, for the family and for the entire society.

Based on studies of infant development, the World Health Organization WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life, i.e. no other solid food or fluids apart from breast milk (unless indicated from a medical point of view). Afterwards, appropriate complimentary foods can be introduced while breastfeeding is continued until two years of age and beyond (1*). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mother and baby desire.

Anthropological researches revealed that the natural weaning age of human babies is between 2.5 and 7 years (2*).

1* WHO: Infant and Young Child Feeding. Model Chapter for textbooks for medical students and allied health professionals. Savage King F, Da Cunha A, Lang S, WHO 2009: pp. 13-14

2* K.A. Dettwyler: When to Wean: Biological Versus Cultural Perspectives. In: Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2004, Vol. 47, Issue 3, pp. 712-723