It’s recommended that you breastfeed your baby exclusively (give them breast milk only) for the first 6 months of their life.
Breastfeeding still has lots of benefits for you and your baby after 6 months. It protects them from infections and there’s some evidence that it helps with the digestion of your baby’s first solid foods. It also continues to provide the balance of nutrients your baby needs.
The World Health Organization recommends that all babies are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of their life, and from 6 months babies should start eating solid foods as well as being breastfed for up to 2 years or longer.
If you’re not sure whether to continue with breastfeeding, you can contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline on (every day, 9.30am to 9.30pm).
Read more about the benefits of breastfeeding
Stopping breastfeeding gradually
There’s no right or wrong way to stop breastfeeding. For lots of mothers and babies, stopping breastfeeding happens gradually as the child grows and eats more solid foods.
It’s important that solid food should not simply replace breast milk. There’s evidence that breast milk may play a part in helping a baby’s digestive system to deal with their first solids.
Once they’re eating solids, your baby will still need to have breast milk or formula as their main drink up to at least their 1st birthday.
Cows’ milk is not suitable as a main drink for babies under 1 year old, although it can be added to foods, such as mashed potatoes.
Carrying on breastfeeding while giving your baby some formula can work very well.
Babies breastfeed for comfort as well as food. Phasing out breastfeeding gently will give you both time to get used to the idea. Stopping gradually will also help prevent problems like overfull, hard (engorged) breasts and mastitis.
