Breastfeeding

In honour of World Breastfeeding Week

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Breastfeeding
• breastfeeding week
• nipple shield
• latching
• latch
• troubles breastfeeding

[Lousypenguin]

As a matter of interest how long should a woman breastfeed her baby April? My girlfriend is due in about 3 weeks and to be quite honest we haven't a clue? She understands the benefits but doesn't want to get to the stage where it's abit creepy breastfeeding a toddler. I'd rather your opinion than the books we have. Thanks.

Ps- Your baby is gorgeous.

[AprilBaby2011]

@Lousypenguin Thanks for your question!

It is recommended to breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months. After that, it's really a matter of preference/choice. I've read that it used to be recommended that breastfeeding was continued until 12 months and then cow's milk to be introduced, but now I've read that even breastfeeding until 2 yrs and then introducing cow's milk is suggested.

Suggest that 6 months is a great start, and if she wants to continue past that then it's even better!

[Lousypenguin]

@AprilBaby2011 You're a star April. She was thinking 6 months to 1 year and then see how it goes. I'll pass on the advice and let her decide what she and the baby is comfortable with. Thanks again :)

[AprilBaby2011]

@Lousypenguin So glad I could help in some way! :)

[rjspear]

Very cool you would do these vids. Hope all new moms at least really try to breastfeed as it helps both the newborn and mom.

[kimcline1121]

@Aprilbaby, thank you for your support :) it means a lot to me. Yes, young single mom of a very strong willed almost 4 yr old boy. My life right there. Went to the park yesterday and kicked a soccer ball with him. When I was getting him in bed, he told me I did a good job and I won. :) moments like that make me wish I had video cams up everywhere to videotape all the things he does. Ava is so beautiful by the way! So sweet :)

[AprilBaby2011]

@blackstarr5 Thank you so much

[blackstarr5]

@AprilBaby2011 And good luck to you! You're already a great mama, because you care so much about doing the very best for your baby. <3

[blackstarr5]

@AprilBaby2011...him on a bottle a couple times, but that probably didn't help his latch. I've learned a LOT in 9 months, mostly from reading & researching online. I especially like drmomma (it's a blog). And there's a group on Fb called Informed Choice:Birth & Beyond, I've learned a lot from the THOUSANDS of mamas (around the world) in that group. Next baby, I know I'll be more confident right from the start. I know the "boobie traps" now. ;) Being a mother in general is exhausting sometimes!

[blackstarr5]

@AprilBaby2011: Well all that considered, you did awesome!! And compared to the national percentages, too! I understand, a little bit. We had some latching issues the first 3 months. I still to this day am not sure what the cause was. Could've been an overbite (receding lower jaw), could've been lip tie, could've been me not letting him lead himself to the breast...etc. etc. etc. He STILL doesn't have a good latch sometimes when he's teething. I never used a nipple shield tho. I did try cont...