Breastfeeding as Your Baby Grows

As your baby grows, you may have questions about whether you should keep breastfeeding or if you need to do anything differently. We're here to help answer those questions.

How Long Should I Breastfeed For?

You can breastfeed for as long as you and your baby want!

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding until your baby is at least six months old. They then recommend feeding your baby with a combination of breastfeeding and other foods until your baby is about one year, or longer.

In the past, children around the world breastfed until about four years old. While life is different now, children’s growth and nutritional needs are still the same.

Every parent and child can decide what works best for them. You can stop when it feels right, and if you want to keep going, that’s great too!

Breastfeeding Your Baby as They Grow

As your baby grows, their behavior changes. Babies can be fussy or distracted at the breast or may feed by breast or bottle more or less frequently. If your baby is growing well, these changes can be normal.

Changes in Feeding Patterns as Babies Grow

Baby's First Weeks

• Need to feed very frequently in the first few weeks to fill the baby’s small belly  
• “Cluster feeding” (very frequent feeding) every hour to stimulate more milk production

Baby’s First Month

• Feed every three to four hours, even at night.
• Ask your baby’s doctor if it is safe to let them sleep longer.

Two to Three Months Old

• Breastfeed every two to three hours.  
• Don't compare your baby to formula or bottle-fed babies, as their eating patterns are different.
• At two to three months, babies interact more with people and things they see around them. They may get distracted easily!

Four to Six Months Old

• Your baby will start trying purees and solid foods.
• When they start eating more solid foods, they will start to drink less milk.