At some point in their breastfeeding journey, moms will ask themselves a crucial question: How long should I breastfeed? The answer depends on when mom is asking the question.
When moms first begin breastfeeding, they’ll naturally wonder how long they should let baby feed. Most infants need anywhere between 10 and 30 minutes at each breast in their first few weeks. After the first few weeks, babies should feed for as long as it takes for them to get enough milk to gain weight.
After moms have breastfed baby for several months, they begin to wonder how many months they should continue breastfeeding their babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) changed its guidelines two months ago. AAP now supports continued breastfeeding, along with appropriate complementary foods introduced at about 6 months, as long as mutually desired by mother and child for 2 years or beyond. This recommendation is consistent with World Health Organization guidelines.
Learn more about giving birth at Grand View Health.