Breastfeeding basics Breastfeeding basics - South West Health

52 B REASTFEEDING B ASICS
When you have been breastfeeding your baby
for about six months, you and your baby will
have a well-established breastfeeding routine.
This chapter deals with a few things that you
may need to know as you continue to
breastfeed your older baby.
Photo previous page: Beth Greatorex with Madison Greatorex
T O S IX M ONTHS AND B EYOND 53
iHow long do I breastfeed?
You can breastfeed for as long as both you and
your baby are enjoying it. The World Health
Organization and UNICEF recommend
breastfeeding until at least age two. In cultures
where breastfeeding is the norm, most children
breastfeed past age two. When this works for
you and your child, great. Your child will
continue to benefit from antibodies in your
milk for as long as he or she breastfeeds. But,
more importantly, your child will benefit
emotionally. Children who breastfeed longterm
tend to be more secure.
Breastmilk is all your baby needs for the first six
months. Until then, breastmilk provides perfect
and complete nutrition. At about six months,
your baby will start to need other foods as well.
This is called weaning. Weaning to solid foods
is a natural stage in baby’s development.
This type of weaning will not interfere with
breastfeeding. You can continue to breastfeed
long after solids have been introduced. For
more information on introducing solid foods
to your baby, see Year One: Food for Baby.