Long-term breastfeeding: How long can I breastfeed my child?

The natural weaning age for a child is actually between two to four years or even longer. This means that extended breastfeeding into toddlerhood is actually normal. However, our society, work environment, and culturally influenced normative ideas limit breastfeeding to infancy. In our culture, breastfeeding a toddler is almost taboo. Once the baby transitions to toddlerhood, it is considered the norm to stop breastfeeding. The average breastfeeding duration in Germany is around 8 months. This is partly due to a lack of support for breastfeeding issues, but also due to unsettling questions and comments from the woman's personal environment, sometimes even from medical professionals.

Extended breastfeeding is indeed beneficial. Breastfeeding into toddlerhood has many advantages - not only for the child but also for the mother: Breast milk remains the most natural and valuable food for the child even during the complementary feeding period. It provides the child with specific antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supporting components that protect against infections. Extended breastfeeding positively impacts jaw development. Breastfeeding comforts and calms your child, provides ample physical contact, and satisfies their sucking needs.

For the breastfeeding mother, it reduces the risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure. For these reasons, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods until the child's second birthday or beyond if both mother and child wish. The best time to wean is always an individual decision. Weaning itself is a process that spans an unpredictable period. You can also seek support from your midwife or a lactation consultant during weaning.

It's best to listen to your gut feeling and detach from external influences and opinions from your surroundings. You can continue to breastfeed your child on demand. This might mean breastfeeding only once or twice a day, for example, upon waking or before bedtime, or much more frequently. Or even not at all on some days.

Neither the start of complementary feeding nor the eruption of teeth are reasons to stop breastfeeding. Milk teeth are called that for a reason: they develop during a time when the child still relies on (mother's) milk. If the child bites while breastfeeding, they usually notice from the mother's reaction that this is not desired. Thus, mother and child adjust to each other.

Fundamentally, breastfeeding is good and right as long as both mother and child want it and it benefits them. Normally, children wean themselves, meaning they gradually demand the breast less and less. If you have uncertainties or problems, midwives, lactation consultants, or breastfeeding groups can provide advice and support. Sharing experiences with other women can be enriching.

The duration of breastfeeding varies greatly and does not need to be predetermined. Decide individually and month by month what is suitable for your child and you. Often, extended breastfeeding is not initially planned but evolves step by step for both mother and child because it feels right for both.

The weaning age of each child is individual. As with breastfeeding, it is also advisable to listen to your own intuition and that of the child. Breastfeeding ends when the child no longer wants to drink from the breast or no longer demands to be breastfed. If the mother no longer wants or is able to breastfeed, the breastfeeding period also ends.