[CholeraJoe]

American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement on Breastfeeding:

Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months after birth.

Link Here.

[chance33_98]

American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statement on Breastfeeding:

well, now I am convinced < /sarcasm>

[xsmommy]

yes, for the benefits of nutrition and immunities, the first six months are crucial, but that is not to say it becomes a perversion at 7 months. ya weirdo. ; )

[Aggie Mama]

That's an old (1997) recommendation that came out after my son was born. They've changed it twice since then, first to 1 yr, then to self-weaning. Unfortunately, I have to leave for the morning, but when I get back, I'll try and find the info for you.

[hobbes1]

Ummmm....Doc, the 6 month exclusivity, refers to non vitamin supplementation........(see the last para.)

[hobbes1]

Not to mention the fact that the AAP is more than a little LEFT OF CENTER

And don't get me started on their non scientific Lead paint scare tactics......

[HarryDunne]

Our child's pediatrician said the first 6 months were great, but that he'd like for the child to be breastfed for the first 12 months. The child went about 18 months, but, as Wondervixen said, once the teeth came in, the weaning began.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

How to keep this brief will be a challenge - suffice it to say that, yes, after figuring out that my child had a huge sensitivity to cow's milk even while I was breastfeeding her (I dropped all cow's milk from my diet while doing so), I was inclined to let her nurse for a while. You have NO idea just how miserable she was in the first few months of her life and how sleep-deprived I was (bordering on pushing me over the edge of sanity). Suffice it to say that, yes, I truly believe there IS a medical (i.e. health) reason in certain cases (esp. allergies) for a child to nurse beyond 6 months.

[Dixie Mom]

From your link:

Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months after birth.¹⁰⁰ Infants weaned before 12 months of age should not receive cow's milk feedings but should receive iron-fortified infant formula.¹⁰¹ Gradual introduction of iron-enriched solid foods in the second half of the first year should complement the breast milk diet.^102,103 It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.¹⁰⁴

Eight years is extreme, to say the least.

[knuthom]

Exclusive breastfeeding is ideal nutrition and sufficient to support optimal growth and development for approximately the first 6 months after birth.

This statement does not say that breastfeeding is only beneficial for six months. It says that breastmilk, alone, is sufficient for six months. After that other foods are to be introduced, in addition to breastmilk.

Gradual introduction of iron-enriched solid foods in the second half of the first year should complement the breast milk diet.
It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.

The benefits of breastfeeding do not suddenly disappear at six months.

[Askel5]

Exclusive breastfeeding

Hers was not exclusive breastfeeding for a year, of course.

[SarahW]

That's for exclusive breastfeeding. It should, ideally, continue past that point.

[Terriergal]

That means you are usually ok breastfeeding exclusively up to six months at which point you start introducing solid foods which offer more and different nutritive values, especially iron. Read point number 6 and 7 again. There is nothing suggesting that they stop at six months. In fact the entire article is geared toward encouraging longer breastfeeding when possible.

[palacios2]

It also says there are other benefits from breastmilk. Including higher IQ's, no terrible 2's, less likely to get ill the longer that you breastfeed.