The choice of how long to breastfeed your child is one that only you can make. The choice of when to cease breastfeeding might differ greatly from child to child depending on the mom’s beliefs about what is best for her and her child. Occasionally, and that’s fantastic, you may know precisely how long you want to breastfeed and feel certain about when to quit. But, the choice doesn’t always seem clear-cut or straightforward. There may be a lot to consider, including your own emotions, your child’s needs and feelings, and other people’s opinions (which aren’t always appreciated!).
Is there a ‘right age’ to stop breastfeeding?
Whatever you do, know that the decision about how long to breastfeed is ultimately yours to make. Your body, your child – your choice. While there’s no one right decision here, however long you breastfeed is beneficial to both you and your baby. There’s no age limit on these benefits and no harm in breastfeeding for 1 year or even longer.
All major health organizations recommend breastfeeding for at least 1 year, with about 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding, followed by breastfeeding combined with the introduction of solid foods. After that, the guidance varies in terms of how long to continue breastfeeding. For example, both the Academy of American Pediatrics (APA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source recommend that you breastfeed your child for at least 1 year. After that, the AAP recommends continuing breastfeeding as long as “mutually desired by mother and infant.”
Both the World Health Organization (WHO)Trusted Source and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommend breastfeeding for a longer duration, citing the benefits of breastfeeding for 2 or more years. WHO recommends 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding and then breastfeeding for “up to 2 years and beyond.” Meanwhile, the AAFP notes that mom and baby health is optimal “when breastfeeding continues for at least 2 years.”
