Pros and cons of stopping bf at 6 months.

[CuriosityCola]

Ds is 14 weeks old and we have had a very positive experience breast feeding. I have started to get lots of comments along the lines of a) over half way, not long to go now. b) you will obviously be stopped by 6 months. All the mums I know who bf are just trying to 'make it' to 6 months.

Where does the 6 months deadline come from. I have seen on here many people continue feeding, what are the advantage of this? What are the advantages of stopping?

Sorry if these are stupid questions, but I don't feel I have much information to make my decision on.

People mistake weaning for giving up breast feeding, that's all. People also mistake the guidance to exclusively feed for six months. Breast milk is very important to at least 1 year old, which is why you would have to switch to formula for 6 more months if you did give up at 6 months. WHO reccomends breast feeding for at least 2 years, emphasis on at least. Don't give up unless you want to.

I think it's because the recommendations from WHO and NHS is to EBF for 6 month. But to me, since the LO still has to either have BF or formula as a drink between 6 and 12mo, it's a no brainer to continue at least to 12mo. I just don't see why I should swap to ff where I have to make sure the water is 70C, take clean bottles and teats out etc. Like you I have a very positive experience with bf. DD is a natural and latched on from birth easily. She's also a very fast feeder doing 10min feeds from day 1.

At 12mo, they can start having cow's milk as a main drink. I think I'll start weaning all the day feeds to cow's milk. But I plan to keep at least the bedtime feed going as long as she needs it. You don't need to brush their teeth after a bf, but you do after a ff or cows milk. I'm that lazy . Also, WHO recommends you continue to bf till 2yo.

I also think that a lot of us 'back in the day' had to return to work once the baby was 6mo, and that became a kind of goal or milestone in itself, especially where work was arduous, away from home and/or the hours uncertain.

Pros to stopping - none from where I'm sitting

Cons - all the cons that come when you have to stop anyway plus the faff of ff. It's just so much easier IMO.

But I do think people see weaning onto solids as synonymous with weaning off boob.

Advantages - don't have to work out how to use formula, can still leave the house without cold bags / freezer packs or whatever; night feeds still simple, may even be a sleep solution (this was key to me continuing); health benefits.

Disadvantages - depending on your weaning approach, can feel a bit clumsy trying to feed solids and bm at same meal (some people don't feel the need to attempt this...)

I agree with lilham - weaning means your have to find time to give solid food as well as milk feeds and carry around snacks - why add to your hassle by stopping breastfeeding too? At least with breastfeeding if you forget drinks or snacks you still have something to offer :)

This all sounds very positive for continuing. I don't normally care what people think, but everyone seems to have such strong opinions on breast feeding. I suppose I'm worried about seeming extreme or clingy for not stopping with everyone at six months.

I personally am aiming for a year although I know a lot of people feed for longer but for me a year means I don't have to use formula (expensive and a hassle to make up) or bottles and can go straight on to cows milk in a cup. I don't think it's that extreme really but I suppose it depends on what people do in your area.

If you want to find other mums that BF past 6 months then you could try a BF support group like LLL. It's not extreme really, just more common in some areas than others.

There are loads and loads of pros to going past 6 months, here are some of the benefits if you want to read more.

I thought that the last thing DD would want would be to be weaned off the breast at the same time as being introduced to food. BF is free-if you switch you'll have to find money for formula and the equipment.

14 weeks is a lovely age .

Thank you for the link. He is a little star, though he was determined that 2am was fun time this morning!