What are the benefits of continuing to breastfeed past 6 months?

9 replies

Petcat · 07/12/2013 18:55

I am wondering if any helpful mners can spell out the proven benefits of continuing to breastfeed once solids have been introduced to a baby's diet.

Since beginning weaning it has become clear that my DD has allergies to cows milk and eggs, and possibly other things we don't know about yet. I am still (happily) bfing her and always planned to feed her until she was one, and maybe longer if we are both still enjoying it.

Because of DD's allergies I am having to cut out dairy, soya and eggs from my diet too. I am vegetarian so this is quite a challenge - I'm eating a lot of quinoa at the moment!

Anyway, I was discussing nutrition with the allergy nurse from the hospital and she said didn't I think I'd be better off stopping breastfeeding, for the sake of my health. I felt pretty about this, but not surprised as I have had ill informed medical people telling me to stop bfing on several occasions previously (so I could feed DD gaviscon in a bottle, so DD will start sleeping better, so I can take painkillers etc)

I politely said I intend to carry on feeding as I feel DD needs breast milk more than ever now she's on a restricted diet. I sense I am going to have to argue about this when I meet with the paediatrician and dietician next month. I want to go armed with the facts of why breast milk will be better for my DD than nutramigen, so I can ask for nutritional support for myself to keep breastfeeding in the long term. TIA

OP posts:

noblegiraffe · 07/12/2013 18:57

If the allergies have only become clear since weaning, does that mean your DD had no symptoms from your milk? The amount of allergens that passes into milk is minuscule so if she didn't have problems with your milk before weaning, I wouldn't cut things out of your diet now.

MrsGSR · 07/12/2013 19:19

NCT says that babies breastfed beyond 6 months have less risk of eczema, lower blood pressure as an adult; lower risk of childhood leukemia; less likelihood of being overweight; less likelihood of developing childhood diabetes.

And it has benefits for you, according to NCT it reduces your risk of ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and they and Cancer Research UK state that the longer you breastfeed the lower your risk of breast cancer is.

If you're happy breastfeeding then ignore everyone's opinions. But similarly if your health is suffering because of breastfeeding then it's definitely worth weighing up the pros and cons. Everyone should be able to make the best choice for them and their family without being judged!

Original poster

Petcat · 07/12/2013 19:19

She's had pretty grim reflux since she was very little, and her vomiting has reduced drastically since excluding diary and soya from my diet - so much so she's actually medication free for the first time in her life. She reacts to contact with egg as well as through ingesting it so I am avoiding as I want to hold and kiss her and not worry we'll end up back in A&E!

OP posts:

TodayIsAGoodDay · 07/12/2013 20:07

www.thealphaparent.com/2011/12/timeline-of-breastfed-baby.html# This article is very good

NothingsLeft · 07/12/2013 21:52

DS is allergic to dairy and soy, I'm a coeliac so cut gluten from my diet. I have had exactly the same struggles with HCP suggesting I stop BFing.

I have been told all sorts of rubbish - BM has no nutritional value after a year, if you cut more than two foods from your diet your milk will be deficient, women don't have enough milk to meet the calcium needs after a year etc.

My standard response now is the WHO and department of health recommend BF until at least two. These are the national guidelines. NICE guideline also state that when allergies are discovered in babies, mothers should be supported to BF.

I will try and find links...

lilyaldrin · 07/12/2013 21:59

Breastmilk doesn't change - the benefits are the same after 6 months as they are before 6 months.

Of course actual milk is healthier than synthetic milk - I would at anyone who tried to tell me otherwise.