In Mongolia, breastfeeding is celebrated and public breastfeeding encouraged with 65 percent of babies being exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. Breastfeeding also tends to continue until after the second birthday.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends nursing up to one year and as long as mutually desired by the mother and the child. Studies even have shown extended nursing has great health benefits for the child.
Most mothers in Brazil, China, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the United States feel six to 12 months is ideal. On the other hand, French mothers favored a shorter period of three to six months, while Turkish mothers felt it better to carry on for 12 to 24 months.
There is no research to suggest that normal durations of breast-feeding for humans as a species — 2.5 to 7+ years — lead to 'harmful emotional dependency.
Australia's dietary guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding of infants until they're 6 months old, with the introduction of solid foods at around 6 months, then to continue breastfeeding until the age of 12 months — and beyond, if it suits the mother and child. Breastmilk is free and, for many parents, convenient.
It adds: "You and your baby can carry on enjoying the benefits of breastfeeding for as long as you like." The World Health Organization agrees that breastfeeding should continue "up to two years of age or beyond".
An average feeding might last 10 to 20 minutes, but a baby can breastfeed anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes at each session. Of course, the timing truly depends on the age of the baby; newborns can cluster feed for 25-45 minutes, which is normal and expected.
After one year, the AAP recommends breastfeeding for as long you and your baby wish to do so. The AAP also states that "There is no upper limit to the duration of breastfeeding and no evidence of psychologic or developmental harm from breastfeeding into the third year of life or longer."
There is a huge variation in practice regarding the maximum age limit for breastfeeding, depending on which school of Islamic jurisprudence the family chooses to follow. The opinions of Muslim scholars fluctuate, but generally range between two and seven years.
In China, the rates and duration of exclusive breastfeeding are still relatively low in many areas. A survey conducted in the central and western regions of China reported a rate of exclusive breastfeeding of 58.3% for newborns (aged 0 to 27 days), which declined to 29.1% at 3–4 months and 13.6% at 5–6 months [1].
Other sources of information
The World Health Organization and UNICEF have recommended for a decade that mothers breastfeed for at least two years. But most US women who nurse stop before their baby is six months old – and many never start at all.
The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 [PDF-30.6MB] recommend that infants be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months with continued breastfeeding while introducing appropriate complementary foods for 1 year or longer.
In the US, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life and to continue for at least 12 months5. But in other countries, the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding up to the age of 2 or beyond6.
How long should a mother breastfeed? The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans [PDF-30.6MB] recommend that infants be exclusively breastfed for about the first 6 months, and then continuing breastfeeding while introducing appropriate complementary foods until your child is 12 months old or older.
The American Academy of Pediatrics just updated its recommendations to encourage moms to breastfeed for up to 2 years. This aligns with long-standing recommendations from the World Health Organization.
With “dry” breastfeeding your baby does not actually drink significant amounts of milk, but he is able to smell and taste the droplets of milk that remain in your breast after pumping.
Wetnursing in Islam
Wet nursing is a practice that has Islamic roots – it was followed by the Prophet (SAW) who fed from his own mother as well as a wetnurse – and is still quite common in Arab countries. This outlines the preference of breastmilk over animal milk when it comes to feeding the baby in Islam.
However, the concept of wet nursing still exists today and is known as co-feeding or milk-sharing. The term clearly defines an activity of sharing mother's milk or the sharing of expressed breast milk [1].
It's important to understand the mother's choice, and what and who influenced her decision to breastfeed or not. Almost 68% of women in the UK start breastfeeding, only 48% continue beyond 6- 8 weeks, which is below the recommended 6 months in line with guidance from the WHO.
There are plenty of moms who breastfeed well past the recommended six month mark (even as old as 6 years), because it works for them. Basically, if you're still wondering if there's a standard age limit with breastfeeding, there isn't.
It's expected and normal for your baby to choose a time when she wants to have very, very frequent feedings. This is commonly called "cluster feeding," during which she typically has long feedings with short breaks between. She might breastfeed almost nonstop for several hours.
People can face stigma and criticism for nursing past the “typical” age. For some people, extended breastfeeding is rewarding and meaningful. It can benefit their health, mental well-being, and bond. It is also a convenient and economical form of nutrition.
After that, they recommend breastfeeding as long as “mutually desired by mother and infant.” The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, and then continuing to breastfeed for “up to 2 years and beyond.”
7 Since your breast milk is produced by supply and demand, you don't need to worry too much that your toddler will "steal" the milk your baby needs. Still, some parents like to nurse their newborn first and then allow their toddler to nurse, especially in the early weeks.
Did you know that if you breastfeed, your baby is less likely to get ill in the first place? While it won't completely stop her becoming sick, breast milk's protective properties mean breastfed babies tend to be unwell less often,1 and recover faster, than formula-fed babies.