How Long Does the Average Mom Breastfeed?

Most healthy newborns are ready to breastfeed within the first hour of life. Holding your baby against your bare skin (called "skin-to-skin" contact) immediately after birth encourages the baby to begin breastfeeding.

You should inquire about "rooming-in," which entails having your baby stay in your room with you rather than in the hospital nursery. While you are still in the hospital, having your baby nearby makes it easier to breastfeed and gives both the mother and child care and comfort.

Breast milk is the customized food for your baby’s needs. It continues to supply important antibodies to protect your child against various illnesses.

For the baby

• Breast milk contains the ideal balance of fat, sugar, water, protein, and minerals for a baby's growth and development. Your breast milk changes as your baby grow to meet the changing nutritional needs of the baby.
• Breast milk is easier to digest than infant formula.
• Breast milk contains antibodies that protect babies from illnesses, such as ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses, and allergies. The longer your baby breastfeeds, the better their health.
• Breastfed babies have a lower risk of dying from sudden infant death syndrome.
• Breast milk can help reduce the risk of many of the short- and long-term health problems that can occur in premature babies.
• Breastfeeding continues to develop a wide palate for all your baby's adult teeth, reducing the need for orthodontics for crowded teeth.
• Breastfeeding exclusively has proven to reduce infant deaths caused by common childhood illnesses (such as pneumonia), hasten recovery during illness and help space out births.

For the mother

• Breastfeeding causes the uterus to contract by releasing a hormone called oxytocin. This allows the uterus to return to normal size faster and may reduce the amount of bleeding you experience after giving birth.
• Nursing may help you lose the weight that you gained during pregnancy easier.
• Breastfeeding has been linked to a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer in mothers.
• According to research, the longer a mother breastfeeds her child, the lower her risk of cervical cancer, osteoporosis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and obesity.
• It helps prevent postpartum depression in mothers.

Breastfeeding provides bonding, comfort, and emotional security, as well as supplies the nutrition babies need to protect them from illnesses.

The rate at which a child weans from the breast is not solely determined by the availability of alternative food and drink. This is because breastfeeding is more than just a source of food; it plays an important role in meeting a baby's need for closeness and emotional security, as well as going to sleep.

As babies gain independence, their emotional needs can be met in other ways (cuddles, talking, playing), and they outgrow breastfeeding just like they outgrow babbling or crawling. While many moms will continue to breastfeed their children until they stop on their own, others will gently hasten this natural process by providing distractions or limiting when and how long to breastfeed.

Baby feeding is entirely up to you and your child to decide how and when to wean. Whenever possible, follow your baby's cues before weaning. Try to increase the intervals between two breastfeeding sessions gradually. Consult your doctor if you believe your baby is not getting enough food or liquid after weaning.