whats the OPTIMUM length of time to breastfeed for?

[NotAnOtter]

I am currently b/f ing my newborn..well 12 week old. Its fine we are all doing well at times i like it but i just dont LOVE it.
How long should i give it before introducing something else ( not food i know all that) . Anyone in the know looked at any studies or anything as i would lke to make an informed choice and continue on that basis. thankyou i just want whats best for him but i am not loving it!

OMG - nearly forgot! breastfeeding is the most wonderful tool for calming down an upset baby. not sure what I'll do when I can't keep DS quiet by giving him a boob! (he gets a dummy too but it doesn't work as well). Something worth sticking with it for.

Also, they become much more efficient. dd2 (10 months) can drain both boobs in 5-10 minutes!

Can I ask what the sign's of self weaning are? My DD is still having bf morning and evening (16 months) She's SO fidgety in the morning and just wants to play and explore - is this a phase or is she disinterested? Any advice greatly appreciated

Clure I had a panic about the same thing (dd 17 months) and posted on another website about it, in the morning dd is wriggling about all over the place as if my nipple is on an elastic and she can take it with her somewhere

suffice to say I was reassured by other extended bfders that this was okay and normal and not a sign of loss of interest

last weekend we were at mils and she got dd up and gave her cows milk and breakfast so we could get a lie in. I really thought dd wouldn't miss the first feed but sure enough, at 9.30 she was clambering up the side of the bed to get a breastfeed

I was quite proud of her and very happy. she was full of milk and weetabix but she still wanted the feed

Thanks cappucino - laughed about the nipple on elastic! Know exactly what you mean, will probably end up with long banana boobs!