There's been a lot in the press lately about how long you should breastfeed children. I breastfed all of my babies for about a year and all of them weaned themselves without any help from me.
On the other hand, my very closest friend breastfed her son until he was at least age 4. She and I are very alike, from very similar backgrounds, and we live very similar lives. We just made different choices about breastfeeding--was one of us more right than the other?
Due to breastfeeding's well-documented benefits for infant neurodevelopment, the American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes this practice as a public health issue and not a lifestyle choice. Therefore, the Academy recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of an infant's life. The Academy then recommends that mothers follow these first 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding by continuing to breastfeed, but while gradually introducing complementary foods to the baby for at least the first year of the infant's life or longer, as mutually desired by the infant and the mother.
The Academy's pediatricians state that they rarely see any reason for a mother not to breastfeed, and they also don't make any recommendations as to when one should stop breastfeeding—except to say that both parties should mutually desire it.
If a baby or mother cannot breastfeed for any reason, then the mother should not let any statement by the Academy make her feel in any way inadequate. Many other sources of nutrition are available for our babies and these foods are more than adequate for the infant that cannot be breastfed. And so, in this case the Academy similarly recommends that a baby be fed infant formula for at least a year while introducing complementary foods once that baby is 6 months old.
On the other hand, my very closest friend breastfed her son until he was at least age 4. She and I are very alike, from very similar backgrounds, and we live very similar lives. We just made different choices about breastfeeding--was one of us more right than the other?
What does the American Academy of Pediatrics say?
Due to breastfeeding's well-documented benefits for infant neurodevelopment, the American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes this practice as a public health issue and not a lifestyle choice. Therefore, the Academy recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of an infant's life. The Academy then recommends that mothers follow these first 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding by continuing to breastfeed, but while gradually introducing complementary foods to the baby for at least the first year of the infant's life or longer, as mutually desired by the infant and the mother. 
The Academy's pediatricians state that they rarely see any reason for a mother not to breastfeed, and they also don't make any recommendations as to when one should stop breastfeeding—except to say that both parties should mutually desire it.
What if you or your baby really can't breastfeed?
While the Academy notes that contraindications to breastfeeding are rare, not every baby can be breastfed and not every mother is able to breastfeed. If no contraindications exist, and if you are able to breastfeed your baby, then the Academy advises you to do so.If a baby or mother cannot breastfeed for any reason, then the mother should not let any statement by the Academy make her feel in any way inadequate. Many other sources of nutrition are available for our babies and these foods are more than adequate for the infant that cannot be breastfed. And so, in this case the Academy similarly recommends that a baby be fed infant formula for at least a year while introducing complementary foods once that baby is 6 months old.
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