We should only breastfeed exclusively for six months only?
By Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14931)
Malaysia
December 22, 2009 5:20pm CST
I was having mild fever last week and went to see a clinic doctor. I told her I am breastfeeding my baby, so that the medicine she gave would not affect my baby. When I told her my baby is going to be 10 months old soon, she told me that I should not only give my baby breastmilk after he's 6 months old. I should start mixing some formula milk, though I told her I already gave my baby some solid food, such as cereal, rust, mashed pumpkin, etc. The doctor kept saying I shouldn't just give my baby breastmilk, I should have mixed with formula milk.
I have never heard this before, I always heard that it's good to breastfeed the baby for 2 years. Even my baby's doctor recommended me to breastfeed my baby as long as I can, and she's a lactation consultant.
5 people like this
2 responses
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
23 Dec 09
I see nothing wrong with feeding an infant until they can walk at about 12-18 months. After that it is time for independence! Weaning them is one step toward the independence they will need, emotionally and physically, when they reach adulthood. The longer you nurse him up to a year old, the healthier he will be. After that the benefits are questionable when compared to formula or milk.
I think that when a child can walk it is time to begin teaching them to fend for themselves, slowly of course, but getting their nutrition from sources other than mother is very important at that point. They take pride in feeding themselves with a spoon, finger food and being independent from their mother, drinking from a cup.
