How long should you breastfeed?

In most traditional cultures where breastfeeding remains the norm, children are breastfed on average until the age of 2 to 3 years.

In France, while 70% of mothers breastfeed their baby at birth, this figure changes over time. Only 50% are still breastfeeding 1 month after giving birth, 20% at 6 months and 5% at one year.

The average breastfeeding duration is 4 months. This represents a significant increase compared to the 1990s, when it was close to 2 months…

This is, however, low compared to our Scandinavian neighbours, where the breastfeeding rate at 6 months is still 70% and 60% at 1 year! How can this difference be explained? A shorter maternity leave, no breastfeeding leave specific support, a lack of support and information for mothers, a perception of breastfeeding as not very "glamorous", and incompatibility with normal life or returning to work.

Breastfeeding durations therefore vary considerably, as does the perception of what constitutes "long-term" or "unshortened" breastfeeding. In France, breastfeeding is considered long-term beyond 3 or even 6 months. In the rest of the world, healthcare professionals tend to speak of long-term breastfeeding around the baby's first birthday.

The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months, and continued breastfeeding for at least 2 years, alongside solid foods. Until 1 year of age, milk — whether breast milk or infant formula — should remain the basis of your baby's diet.

Whatever your child's age, breast milk always remains the most suitable option for them.

As well as being tailored to the baby's needs and protecting them from infections, allergies and other chronic conditions, breast milk is also rich in essential fatty acids, which are crucial for the development of the baby's brain from birth.

While most of the health benefits for children are "dose-dependent" (meaning they increase proportionally with the duration of breastfeeding and the amount of milk consumed), some effects — such as improved development of visual acuity in infants — can be observed after as little as one month of breastfeeding.

Scientific studies have highlighted the effects of breastfeeding not only on the baby's health, but also on their future health once they reach adulthood.

For the mother, it may reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, as well as the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Breastfeeding may also have positive effects on mothers' mood.

To find out more, have a look at our article on the benefits of breastfeeding.

During extended breastfeeding, mothers may worry about baby biting when the first teeth come through. It is common and normal, but you are not obliged to simply put up with it! 

Simply and calmly explain to your child that your breast is not a teething toy, and remove them from the breast as soon as they bite, offering a toy instead. 

If your milk supply has decreased due to less frequent feeding, you may consider taking breastfeeding food supplements containing galactagogues to support your breastfeeding. 

In any case, it is important to listen to yourself and do what feels best for you and your baby. Don't feel obliged to continue breastfeeding if you've had enough, nor to accept child-led breastfeeding beyond a certain age. While some difficulties are normal, breastfeeding should remain a moment of tenderness and connection between you and your child. We can never say it enough: a happy mother means a happy baby.

Remember that the first months of breastfeeding are generally the most challenging. After 6 months, with the introduction of solid foods and the discovery of family meals, feeds will gradually become further apart.

There is no such thing as "a little breastfeeding" — even one feed a day or a week counts as breastfeeding, although for most mothers, lactation is maintained with at least one feed per day.

Trust yourself, set aside any preconceptions, and take your breastfeeding journey one day at a time

There is no "right" duration for breastfeeding — only recommended durations. The decision to continue or stop breastfeeding is yours.

If you are experiencing difficulties, rather than weaning baby, try speaking to a breastfeeding consultant who can help you overcome them or even restart breastfeeding.

If you would like to try natural weaning with your baby, listen to yourself and listen to them. Your baby will decide for themselves when breastfeeding no longer holds any interest, and will simply stop feeding. This does not prevent you from setting boundaries.

In the words of Claude Didierjean-Jouveau in Allaiter aujourd'hui: 

"Natural weaning (is) like a complex dance between mother and child. (...) Embarking on natural weaning means setting off on an adventure with no fixed end point — neither in terms of when nor how it will conclude. This can feel unsettling, even anxiety-inducing. But it means offering your child the wonderful gift of a breastfeeding relationship that has run its full course, and drawing from it a sense of personal fulfilment that is truly precious."