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How long should I breastfeed my baby?
Experts recommend breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months, then continuing with solid foods up to 2 years or beyond.
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What it is
Breast milk gives your baby the right balance of nutrients to grow into a strong and healthy toddler [1]. It also helps protect your infant against some common childhood illnesses and infections [1]. Early, exclusive, and continued breastfeeding protects infants from infectious diseases [3]. Infants who are not breastfed are much more likely to die from diarrhoea, pneumonia, and other infectious diseases [3].
Health experts recommend that all infants start breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth [4]. They also recommend exclusive breastfeeding — meaning only breast milk — for the first 6 months of life [4]. After 6 months, you can continue breastfeeding while introducing safe solid foods [4]. WHO and UNICEF recommend continuing breastfeeding up to 2 years of age or beyond [4].
Breast milk remains an important source of energy and nutrients for children aged 6–23 months [3]. It can provide half or more of a child’s energy needs between 6 and 12 months, and one third of energy needs between 12 and 24 months [3]. Breast milk is also a critical source of energy and nutrients during illness [3].
Breastfeeding also benefits mothers. It reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancer [2][3]. It can also increase the time between pregnancies, because exclusive breastfeeding of an infant under six months causes hormonal changes that can delay the return of fertility [2][3].
Women who do not have health problems should try to give their babies breast milk for at least the first six months of life [1]. Most women with health problems can breastfeed [1]. There are rare exceptions when women are advised not to breastfeed because of certain illnesses [1]. Some medicines, illegal drugs, and alcohol can pass through breast milk and harm your baby [1].
What you can do at home
- Start breastfeeding within the first hour after birth if possible [2].
- Give your baby skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth [2].
- Breastfeed responsively — as often as your child wants, day and night [2].
- Keep your baby in the same room with you 24 hours a day (rooming-in) [2].
- Avoid giving your baby additional food or drink, even water, unless a doctor says it is medically necessary [2].
- Around 6 months, start introducing small amounts of complementary foods while continuing frequent breastfeeding [6].
- Increase the number of meals gradually: 2–3 meals per day for infants 6–8 months, and 3–4 meals per day for infants 9–23 months, plus 1–2 snacks as needed [6].
- During illness, increase fluids, including more frequent breastfeeding, and offer soft, favourite foods [6].
- If you have problems with breastfeeding, contact a lactation consultant [1].
- Check with your health care provider if you have concerns about whether you should breastfeed [1].
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
The sources do not list specific warning signs for breastfeeding problems. However, you should check with your health care provider if you have concerns about whether you should breastfeed [1]. If you are having problems with breastfeeding, contact a lactation consultant [1]. Some medicines, illegal drugs, and alcohol can pass through breast milk and harm your baby — talk to your provider if you have concerns [1].
Common questions
Is it safe to breastfeed if I have a health problem? Most women with health problems can breastfeed [1]. There are rare exceptions when women are advised not to breastfeed because they have certain illnesses [1]. Check with your health care provider if you have concerns [1].
What if my baby is premature or low birth weight? Breastfeeding remains the preferred mode of infant feeding in almost all difficult situations, including for low-birth-weight or premature infants [7].
What if I am living with HIV? Infants born to mothers receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy can safely initiate breastfeeding in the first hour after birth, breastfeed exclusively for six months, and continue breastfeeding until at least 12 months of age with very little risk of acquiring HIV [5]. Mothers living with HIV should breastfeed for at least 12 months and may continue for up to 24 months or longer while fully supported for ART adherence [5].
Does breastfeeding help with weight or development later? Children and adolescents who were breastfed as babies are less likely to be overweight or obese [3]. They also perform better on intelligence tests and have higher school attendance [3]. Breastfeeding is associated with higher income in adult life [3].
Sources
[1] MedlinePlus — “Breastfeeding” (2017), section “Introducción”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/breastfeeding.html [2] WHO — “Infant and young child feeding”, section “Breastfeeding”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding [3] WHO — “Infant and young child feeding”, section “Breastfeeding”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding [4] WHO — “Infant and young child feeding”, section “Key facts”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding [5] WHO — “Infant and young child feeding”, section “Overview”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding [6] WHO — “Infant and young child feeding”, section “Complementary feeding”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding [7] WHO — “Infant and young child feeding”, section “Feeding in exceptionally difficult circumstances”, p. 1 — https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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