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On average, French women breastfeed their babies for 15 weeks. Some choose to continue for longer. Why and how to practice late breastfeeding?
At what age do we speak of late breastfeeding?
“There is no real definition of late (or prolonged) breastfeeding, or even long breastfeeding, because it depends on a population’s perception of breastfeeding. In Sweden, breastfeeding a one-year-old child is not considered to be late breastfeeding, whereas in France it is already perceived that way! », Explains Véronique Darmangeat, lactation consultant.
Indeed, on average, French women breastfeed their babies exclusively for 3 and a half weeks, et mixed for 15 weeks, or a little over three months.
In short, it’s up to everyone to define their threshold, but after the six months of exclusive breastfeeding recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), mothers who breastfeed in France fall into the “long-term breastfeeding” category. And those who continue beyond the 1 year, 2 years, 3 years of the child are still an exception. As proof these mothers who still breastfeed their children sometimes until they are 5 to 10 years old, and are regularly the subject of criticism and heated debates.
Note that the WHO recommends breastfeeding ideally until the child is two years old, in parallel and in addition to a solid diet from the baby’s six months, the deadline for starting dietary diversification.
The benefits of prolonged breastfeeding for the child
“I don’t like to talk too much about benefits because breastfeeding is just the norm for our species. Breast milk remains a complete food and ideal as long as a child needs it, that is, for several years. This allows her to have a complete and balanced diet, ”explains Véronique Darmangeat. Not to mention the protective role of breast milk against viruses and allergies. All this on the condition of course that the mother respects a strict lifestyle without alcohol, tobacco or medication.
Breastfeeding beyond six months goes well with food diversification and returning to work. It becomes one way among many others to feed the child and therefore no longer requires the same availability. It can also be summed up in one or more “cuddly” feedings which comfort in the morning and or in the evening, at night too. Finally, it constitutes a point of reference for the child who must often get used to a new type of childcare.
The benefits of prolonged breastfeeding for the mother
Pthe more a woman breastfeeds for a long time throughout her life, the more she decreases the risk of certain cancers, like breast cancer for example. “As it is a dose-dependent effect, the longer breastfeeding, the better,” adds the specialist.
Breastfeeding beyond six months also promotes weight loss, since the pounds of pregnancy served precisely as “stock” for that particular period. Not to mention the effect of breastfeeding hormones on mood. “These hormones help the mother to be more patient and more empathetic with her children. And we know that it takes a lot with young children! », Notes the lactation consultant.
Long and desired breastfeeding is never harmful
For Véronique Darmangeat, things are clear: breastfeeding can never harm the well-being of the child. When he doesn’t want it anymore, he loses interest in the breast little by little, at his own pace.
This usually occurs after a year. The baby who turns away from the breast before this stage is telling us that he is having a breastfeeding strike, which is usually the result of a decrease in the mother’s milk secretion. And concerning the mother, everything is a question of perception, of culture, of desire. Stopping breastfeeding should be a personal decision.
Regarding the common fear of mothers of being “bitten” when the baby grows, we must put it into perspective. Suckling does not require the use of teeth, and although there is a small bite, you can gently teach your child that you are not a teething ring! “It is up to each one to define what is good for her and her child”, insists the expert. We must therefore avoid the pressure of weaning at the end of maternity leave, or at six months, if we want to continue mothering until the child is 3 years old, for example. And also resist the pressure to continue breastfeeding if it is bad for you and you want to move on in your relationship with the child or your own body.
As for the father or other parent, and the elders, who could feel excluded from these moments, Véronique Darmangeat specifies: “If the father agrees with this breastfeeding, that does not generally pose a problem. Older children know they no longer need to breastfeed, so they are not bothered by breastfeeding the younger one. »In the event of disagreement, everyone must be able to express their needs in order to find a compromise that is satisfactory for the whole family.