How Long to Breast-Feed For London

The Breast-feeding debates here in the UKPL  shows you there's a wide range of experiences among mothers - and I can assure you that many women feed their babies long past the baby stage. Worldwide, this is, in fact what the majority of women do.

If this suits you and your baby, then carry on!

Breast milk is a healthy and nutritious drink no matter what, and for many older babies, toddlers and young children, breastfeeding is a source of comfort and security, too. It's a nice way to 'connect' with your child after a day away at work, too.

Some women are happy to continue feeding as often as their child asks - and it's true that older toddlers start to ask more often. If this doesn't suit you, try a compromise
o set a precedent where you only feed at home
o keep it to certain times - say, once in the morning, and in the evening, and maybe if your child wakes

Don't sometimes 'give in' after a fight and sometimes not. That's just confusing. Older toddlers can learn worlds like 'later' and understand 'not here', and they can accept what you say as long as they don't think they can whine their way to a changed mind.

There's really no right age to stop - it's such a cultural decision, dependent on your gut feelings rather than anything else. If people question you about it, say you'll be ready to stop when your child seems ready...and you can then give them a fright if you remind them of the film The Last Emperor. The Chinese Emperor Pu Yi is shown in the film suckling at his wet nurse's breast at age 12! This was, however, normal in that society at that time.

In developing countries, toddlers gradually stop breastfeeding over a period of a couple of years or so, and the 'average' age of total weaning is probably about four.

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