When Should I Stop Breast Feeding?

The benefits of breast feeding your baby are numerous. Babies are less prone to various diseases and infections if they are breast fed. Breast feeding can be linked to protection against gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. Breast milk can also reduce the probability of the development of allergic diseases. These are just a few of the health benefits. In addition to the health benefits, there is a great bond that is formed between mother and baby in this process. It has a great amount of psychological benefit for mother and baby. These are just some of the reasons why it is generally recommended to breast feed for at least 12 months. Of course, this could be extended or reduced due to the particular circumstances of the mother and baby. However, all experts agree that this is an important step to take with the care of the baby whenever possible.

Obviously a woman has to consider her own circumstances and she may only want to breastfeed for weeks or months.  Unfortunately, many women can't successfully breastfeed at all (poor support is a major factor) so don't have the choice.  

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends breastfeeding for a minimum of two years.  This applies everywhere, not just to people in the developing world.  The WHO suggest four years as an optimal weaning age.  3-4 years old is the historical and also nowadays the average age for stopping breastfeeding in most countries.  Several studies looking at breast cancer have found that it is significantly lower in women who have breastfed for at least two years, but this protective effect doesn't really appear to occur for  breastfeeding under two years.

The Bible mentions breastfeeding until the age of three, and the Koran recommends it for a minimum of 2 years.  Comparisons to other species suggest that the natural weaning age for the human species (based on developmental markers shared with other animals) suggests that the biological norm for human weaning is probably between four and seven years.

If a woman wants to continue breastfeeding beyond one year, she should feel fully supported in that choice, however uncommon it is modern western societies.