AAP to recommend breastfeeding past 1 year?

DarcyLongfellow · November 2009

I just came from DD's four month pediatrician appointment, and her doctor mentioned that the AAP might be revising its recommendations to state that babies should be breastfed for 18 months (or possibly 2 years).

Does anyone know anything about this? I looked on their website and couldn't find anything.

It's not going to affect what I choose to do, but it'd be nice to have as support when grandparents start asking, "are you still nursing that child?"

Hippinski · November 2009

That would be more in line with what the WHO recommends and it would be AWESOME if women here in the US got more support.

webMistress0609 · November 2009

That would be great if they did so! Ari's 6 month checkup is this week, I'm going to ask about it.

I think it would def help with some of the stigma attached to BFing past a year.

14years · November 2009

I haven't heard this, but it would kind of suprise me if the AAP went beyond "encouraging" to actually recommending it.

cindy453 · November 2009

I heard this too, but at a LLL meeting. It wouldn't surprise me if they were dicussing it, but I don't know if it will become standard.

Well, actually what I heard was that they were going to suggest BM or formula until 18 months, because so many toddlers are having really poor nutrition. I think changing that would make more women who do EBF be open with it... I know some women who BF past a year but were too embarased to NIP any more or tell friends and family.

LittleEgypt · November 2009

That would be great news! For me, I have family that is pro-bf and neutral on bf, and both act suprised that I would go much over a year. My mom knows nothing about bf, and she seemed to think it was nuts. MIL is very pro bf, but she insists that the only reason to nurse over a year is for comfort, and mostly for the mother at that. It would be great to have the AAP recommendation to point to!

There do seem to be a lot of women on these boards who are counting down to 12 months. I think some of them would not change their timeline, because they just don't seem to be enjoying bf. Maybe the ones who start cow's milk early (with the expectation that the baby is fully weaned by 12 months) would push it out a bit with this recommendation. Or maybe I'm just being optimistic, since the bf rates past six months are pretty dismal in this country...

Hippinski · November 2009

LittleEgypt:

There do seem to be a lot of women on these boards who are counting down to 12 months. I think some of them would not change their timeline, because they just don't seem to be enjoying bf. Maybe the ones who start cow's milk early (with the expectation that the baby is fully weaned by 12 months) would push it out a bit with this recommendation. Or maybe I'm just being optimistic, since the bf rates past six months are pretty dismal in this country...

I'm being optimistic too! Maybe we can get more support for the nursing mommas out there so more women can relax a bit and they may end up liking it more. I know that there are some who really hate it (and heck...it's HARD) but I wonder if society didn't make it so hard on them that maybe it would be easier.

sunnyday016 · November 2009

It would be great if they upped the recommendation to 18 mo. but as with anything, it takes a long period of time to change a society's view on anything. I think this would at least be a great first step.

DarcyLongfellow · November 2009

Thanks for all your thoughts, ladies. Cindy -- I'm glad you've heard of it too. I agree that it might not change anything at first, but it'd be a good step towards supporting BF past a year!

I'm also always surprised at how eager women are to stop breastfeeding. Sure, it was torture at first. But now, it's great. Even though I still have to fuss with a nipple shield and my nipples are still raw (DD can't latch properly because of the way her mouth is formed), I still love that time I get to spend with her and have no interest in making her stop cold turkey at a year (or really, stop suddenly ever!).

anna7602 · November 2009

Just wanted to say I am still BFing at 18 months and can't tell you how many people ask me, "but why?" It would be great if the AAP changed their reco's, but I still think it will take people seeing more and more toddlers BFing to view it as "normal." Any step toward that is good, though.

calhoun05 · November 2009

DarcyLongfellow:

I'm also always surprised at how eager women are to stop breastfeeding. Sure, it was torture at first. But now, it's great. Even though I still have to fuss with a nipple shield and my nipples are still raw (DD can't latch properly because of the way her mouth is formed), I still love that time I get to spend with her and have no interest in making her stop cold turkey at a year (or really, stop suddenly ever!).

This isn't relevant to the AAP recommendation, but I am one of those people who might be described as eager to stop breastfeeding. However, it's not really the breastfeeding itself but the pumping. I work full-time, and my son has a huge appetite, so it's constant PUMPING PUMPING PUMPING. There are some days where it seems to take over my life. And it's very stressful - fitting in pumpings on busy days when people seem to always want you in meetings, dealing with forgotten pump parts, and worst of all, the constant stress I have about whether I'm pumping enough. Some days, when I know I haven't made enough, it can nearly drive me to tears. I really enjoy nursing my son, and hope to maintain enough supply to continue to nurse him on evenings and a bit on weekends well after the first year, but there won't be any love lost when I pack this pump up.

So, this rant was way too long and more just a vent than anything else, but I just wanted to give a perspective on why some women might seem to look forward to the end of breastfeeding.

14years · November 2009

calhoun05:

This isn't relevant to the AAP recommendation, but I am one of those people who might be described as eager to stop breastfeeding. However, it's not really the breastfeeding itself but the pumping. I work full-time, and my son has a huge appetite, so it's constant PUMPING PUMPING PUMPING. There are some days where it seems to take over my life.

calhoun -- I hear you. I got to the point where I HATED pumping towards the end. Just wanted to give you some encouragement tell you that I stopped pumping at a year, and DS is still nursing twice a day during the week and three times a day on the weekends. Pumping stinks, but toddler BFing is awesome.

Hippinski · November 2009

calhoun05:
I really enjoy nursing my son, and hope to maintain enough supply to continue to nurse him on evenings and a bit on weekends well after the first year, but there won't be any love lost when I pack this pump up.

So, this rant was way too long and more just a vent than anything else, but I just wanted to give a perspective on why some women might seem to look forward to the end of breastfeeding.

When I was nursing and working I quit pumping at a year but was able to continue to nurse him mornings, nights and on my days off. But I had to quit pumping because like you the stress was horrendous. It is so hard and unless someone has been there they can't always understand. Hugs.

nadiarl · November 2009

Cool. I find it frustrating that if it isn't expressly "recomended" to BF for longer than a year people think you're a freak for doing it.

Luckily my mom is into EBF and MIL said she BFed her two sons for two years each.

EcoBaby · November 2009

The CDC did put out information that they want people to continue bf'ing past flu season. So these groups that make recommendations obviously know its best to breastfeed past the magic year mark. I am also sick of pumping. I will probably pump once at work, but I am also going to introduce cows milk during the day or if I want to go out in the evening or something, and I'm going to try not to feel guilty about it - and hope that my supply stays up for bf'ing when I am home with him.

sunnyday016 · November 2009

I only have to pump once at work because I work part time, but if I was pumping more often I'd be eager to reach the year mark too and would probably stop BFing then. As it is, I plan to stop pumping at a year and she can have cow's milk at daycare. That would still leave her at least four nursing sessions per day though

TheDawnn · November 2009

The info provided to my from the hospital I birthed at in Canada recommended breast feeding until the baby is 2 - I believe this is recommended by health Canada...

ncbelle · November 2009

KateB1984:
I wouldn't be surprised if the AAP changed their recommendations. Somewhere between the birth of my first DS and my 2nd, Canada changed theirs from 1 year to "2 years and beyond." Apparently it's due to more research into the function of toddler immune systems and how they still aren't meant to be fully self-sufficient (without a mother's antibodies) until around the age of 2 (hence the WHO's recommendations).

I've actually seen some troubling ramifications of it though. I know a few moms who quit around 6-9 months because they had no intention of committing for 2 years. When it was one year I think they might have kept going (more achievable). And my public health nurse actually expressed dismay that I allowed my DS#1 to self-wean at 18months (um, I still stand by my decision). I wasn't going to force the kid onto my nipple!. I think 2 years is a daunting figure for a first time sore-nippled mom. I think it would be best to recommend "breastfeeding for at least a year. there are health benefits to breastfeeding 2 years and beyond" or something. I'm probably the minority though....

Once again our northern neighbors are ahead of the game ;-)

While I'd be very excited to see the recommendation extended, I think you have a great point about 2 years being a daunting figure for many. I think any such recommendation would need to be accompanied by good support and education - longer maternity leaves wouldn't hurt either.

Kuddos to you mamas who have to pump daily. I've been lucky in that I've only had to pump a few times a week for class - and that was more than enough!

DarcyLongfellow · November 2009

I just wanted to say that I can absolutely understand wanting to be done with pumping!!! DD refuses to take a bottle. And while it's sometimes frustrating to not be able to leave her for more than two hours, there's a part of me that's delighted that I almost never have to pump.

Angela814 · November 2009

I agree that there's a fine line btwn encouraging women to bf longer and making it seem like too much of a challenge.

FWIW, I stopped pumping at 12 months. I weaned DD at 3y2m. Bfing doesn't have to stop when you stop pumping.

makclair · November 2009

I haven't heard any official stance rec'ing this but I did find something when I googled about a few different people in the AAP making the recommendation.

I can't imagine they coming out for sure on it any time soon as I am shocked to see people nurse TO one year in my daily practice.

I was super excited to stop pumping- just have really weaned off the pump- I have pumped 3 or more times a day for the last YEAR. And that includes most weekends b/c i worked almost every weekend after I went back from maternity leave, and pumped every single morning and night to make up for what I couldn't pump at work.

Now we're nursing mornings and nights at home, and it is great! I just don't know how long my milk supply will last b/c i work long hours many days.

shortstuff15 · November 2009

ncbelle:
KateB1984:

I wouldn't be surprised if the AAP changed their recommendations. Somewhere between the birth of my first DS and my 2nd, Canada changed theirs from 1 year to "2 years and beyond." Apparently it's due to more research into the function of toddler immune systems and how they still aren't meant to be fully self-sufficient (without a mother's antibodies) until around the age of 2 (hence the WHO's recommendations).

I've actually seen some troubling ramifications of it though. I know a few moms who quit around 6-9 months because they had no intention of committing for 2 years. When it was one year I think they might have kept going (more achievable). And my public health nurse actually expressed dismay that I allowed my DS#1 to self-wean at 18months (um, I still stand by my decision). I wasn't going to force the kid onto my nipple!. I think 2 years is a daunting figure for a first time sore-nippled mom. I think it would be best to recommend "breastfeeding for at least a year. there are health benefits to breastfeeding 2 years and beyond" or something. I'm probably the minority though....

Once again our northern neighbors are ahead of the game ;-)

While I'd be very excited to see the recommendation extended, I think you have a great point about 2 years being a daunting figure for many. I think any such recommendation would need to be accompanied by good support and education - longer maternity leaves wouldn't hurt either.

Kuddos to you mamas who have to pump daily. I've been lucky in that I've only had to pump a few times a week for class - and that was more than enough!

Sorry to say, but I am in Canada and all I have ever seen or heard is that the recommend exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months and then slowly add solids until weaning at a year, so I don't know that all of Canada is in the until 2 year recommendation......

Personally, while I understand the benefits of breastfeeding until at least 18 months because then they get a second round of anitbodies from you, I cannot see myself doing breastfeeding past a year, if I get that long. I personally would like baby to be fully weaned at about 10 months for personal reasons that I do not need to explain or defend.

otc · November 2009

It's about time!

Hippinski · December 2009

Angela814:
FWIW, I stopped pumping at 12 months. I weaned DD at 3y2m. Bfing doesn't have to stop when you stop pumping.

I did the same thing except we weaned at just over 2 1/2 because I was on some seriously screwed up meds. Extended BF doesn't mean you are the only source of nutrition or that the majority of what they get is BM. The ratio of nursing to solid food and liquids is very different at the end of the nursing relationship then they are at the beginning.

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