Parenting Tips: How Long Should You Breastfeed Your Child

Mothers take different approaches while breastfeeding their child; some breastfed for six months while others none at all. However, some mothers have taken their doctor’s recommendation and continued to breastfed their children for almost three years. Breastfeeding, as science has proven, increases immunity and helps to create important antibodies that enable our babies to grow to their maximum potential. It also helps the mother to prevent breast cancer. And for the figure conscious mothers, breastfeeding helps the body to be back into pre-baby shape.

Therefore, we can safely say that breastfeeding the baby for an extended period is the best thing that a mother can do for herself and her child. While giving this parenting tip, let us also tell you that by feeding the babies with only breast milk during the first six months of their life, mothers can actually save the lives of around 1.2 million children every year. And by simply extending the practice for two years and beyond, the development and health of millions of babies will be improved by a great extent. It has been proved that babies, who were deprived of breast milk, suffered increased risk of illness and often had to compromise with their growth and development; it may even raise the risk of disability and death.

Mother’s milk is rich in antibodies, which protect baby from various illnesses. Babies can easily absorb and digest it. By following this parenting tip, you can also help your baby to reduce the risk of allergies such as allergic rhinitis, eczema and asthma. Some researchers have also proved that babies who were breastfed for an extended period have less chance to become obese or develop diabetes in later years.

Considering all these studies, it is advisable to breastfeeding your child for a longer period (at least a minimum of 1 year) to help them have a healthy and better life.