In the News
If you’re new to breastfeeding, you may wonder how long you should continue. It’s a deeply personal decision, though there are some general guidelines to follow. According to Jenelle Ferry, M.D., a neonatologist and director of feeding, nutrition and infant development at Pediatrix® Neonatology of Florida, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life prior to the introduction of solid foods. Each organization also recommends continued breastfeeding while complementary foods are introduced "as long as mutually desired by mother and baby" for two years and beyond, said Dr. Ferry. "You should stop breastfeeding once the process is no longer desired by you or your infant, ideally after the first 12 months of life," she explained. Dr. Ferry said in terms of how you stop breastfeeding largely depends on your baby's age, their interest in breastfeeding and what your milk supply is like. "For a mother who has been struggling with supply, she can likely wean off pretty quickly, but for a mother with a robust milk supply, she will benefit from gradually decreasing the number of times a day and duration of each feeding," said Dr. Ferry.
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