How old is too old for a child to be breastfed?
Answers (1)
From a medical point of view, there is no real upper age limit. It's usually recommended that you feed your baby entirely for the first 6 months, and then for at least 6 months after that you continue to feed him or her along with gradually introducing solids. The World Health Organisation in fact recommends giving some breastmilk feeds up to the age of two years. As far as just physical health goes, it is a healthy substance and, in itself, it doesn't hurt even an older child to drink it.
However, health isn't just physical. Some mothers continue feeding their children until they are much older, and while the milk itself may be fine, there are a lot of arguments about whether it is a good idea from a psychological point of view. There is no evidence that feeding older children harms them, but many people feel it makes them over dependent.
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