Breastfeeding is one of the most powerful ways to support your baby’s health, growth, and emotional well-being — but many new parents find themselves asking the same question:

How long should you breastfeed?

Some say six months is enough. Others continue for years. With so much conflicting advice, it’s easy to feel unsure about what’s right.

To bring clarity, we’ve drawn on trusted medical guidelines and insights from Dr. Parag Dagli, a leading breastfeeding expert in Ahmedabad and Head of the Breastfeeding Department at Apple Children Hospital.

In this article, we’ll explore expert-backed timelines, the evolving benefits of breastfeeding at each stage, and how to decide what works best for both you and your baby.

Whether you’re just beginning or considering weaning, this guide is here to help you make an informed and confident choice.

How Long Should You Breastfeed?

The short answer: as long as it feels right for both you and your baby.

But if you’re looking for expert medical guidance, here’s what leading organizations and pediatric specialists recommend:

Birth to 6 Months: Exclusive Breastfeeding

For the first six months, your baby should be exclusively breastfed. That means no water, no honey, no ghutti, no animal milk, no formula, and no solids—not even in small amounts.

This recommendation is supported by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and leading pediatricians in India.

Breast milk provides complete nutrition tailored to your baby’s developmental needs. It contains immune-boosting antibodies, healthy fats, and protective enzymes. 

According to Dr. Parag Dagli, breast milk is nature’s perfect food, capable of adjusting its composition based on your baby’s age, weight, and needs—even for twins or low-birth-weight infants.

He emphasizes that breast milk in the early days (colostrum) acts as a baby’s first natural vaccine, protecting against infections and supporting gut development.

6 to 12 Months: Breastfeeding with Complementary Foods

At six months, your baby’s nutritional needs begin to expand. This is when complementary feeding should begin—soft, home-cooked foods in addition to ongoing breastfeeding.

During this time breast milk still continues to be a vital source of calories, protein, and disease-fighting elements. It’s not just food—it’s medicine and emotional support.

12 Months and Beyond: Continued Breastfeeding

Beyond the first year, breast milk may no longer be your baby’s primary food source—but it remains valuable.

Research and clinical experience show that continued breastfeeding supports immunity, brain development, and emotional bonding well into the toddler years. 

Extended breastfeeding can also help toddlers self-regulate, cope with stress, and recover more quickly from illness.

Contrary to common breastfeeding myths in India, breast milk does not lose its nutritional value after one or two years. On the contrary, it remains rich in antibodies and essential fatty acids.

In many Indian communities, breastfeeding continues up to 5–6 years as part of traditional practices. Dr. Parag also supports extended breastfeeding up to 5 years, maintaining the comfort of both mother and child. 

Every child is different, and your circumstances may be unique. Before making decisions about continuing or stopping breastfeeding, always consult your pediatrician or a certified lactation consultant. They can provide personalized support based on your baby’s health, growth, and feeding patterns.

Benefits of Continued Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is more than just nourishment—it’s an ongoing source of physical, emotional, and developmental support for your child. 

While some may assume that its value decreases after infancy, research and medical experience show that the benefits of breastfeeding continue well beyond the first year.

Here are some of the key advantages of continued breastfeeding:

1. Ongoing Immune Protection

Breast milk continues to supply antibodies that protect against infections, especially respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and stomach bugs. 

Even as your child begins eating a full diet, these immune factors remain active and beneficial.

2. Support for Brain Development

Breast milk contains essential fatty acids such as DHA, which are crucial for cognitive development. 

Continued breastfeeding supports memory, attention, and brain growth during the early years when development is most rapid.

3. Emotional Security and Comfort

Breastfeeding provides a safe, soothing space for toddlers as they navigate new experiences like walking, talking, or starting preschool. 

The act of nursing often offers reassurance during teething, illness, or emotional stress.

4. Easier Recovery from Illness

Toddlers who continue to breastfeed often recover faster from common illnesses, as breast milk helps keep them hydrated and nourished even when their appetite for solids decreases.

5. Lower Health Risks for Mothers

Breastfeeding also continues to benefit maternal health. Extended breastfeeding is linked to a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in mothers.

Despite these benefits, it’s common to hear myths suggesting that breast milk loses its nutritional value after one year. This is not supported by science. 

In reality, breast milk continues to adapt to your child’s needs, maintaining its nutritional and immunological richness.

When and How to Stop Breastfeeding

There is no fixed timeline for stopping breastfeeding. 

The right time to wean is when it feels appropriate for both the mother and the child—emotionally, physically, and practically.

Some babies begin to lose interest on their own, a process known as self-weaning. Others may continue to seek the comfort and connection of breastfeeding well into toddlerhood. Both situations are normal.

Signs Your Baby May Be Ready to Wean

• Increasing interest in solid foods and other forms of nutrition
• Breastfeeding less frequently or for shorter periods
• Seeking comfort in other ways, such as with cuddles, toys, or routines
• Getting easily distracted during feeds or showing disinterest

Weaning does not have to happen all at once. In fact, experts often recommend a gradual transition, which can be more comfortable for both mother and baby.

Tips for a Smooth Weaning Process

Start slowly: Begin by dropping one breastfeeding session at a time, ideally the least preferred one.

Offer alternatives: Replace feeds with snacks, meals, or drinks suitable for your baby’s age, using a cup or spoon rather than a bottle where possible.

Maintain closeness: If your child breastfeeds for comfort, offer extra cuddles, playtime, or quiet moments together to maintain emotional connection.

Be patient: Every baby adapts at their own pace. Some may adjust in a few weeks, others over several months.

For mothers returning to work or managing other changes, partial weaning—such as nursing only at night or in the mornings—can also be a flexible option.

Most importantly, weaning should never feel forced. 

Sudden or abrupt weaning can be emotionally difficult for both mother and child, and may even lead to complications like engorgement or discomfort.

If you feel unsure about when or how to begin weaning, or if the process is not going smoothly, consulting a certified lactation consultant can provide the personalized support you need.

Final Thoughts

Breastfeeding is a personal journey, and there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline. 

While experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding up to two years or more, the right time to wean depends on your baby’s needs and your comfort.

What matters most is making informed choices that feel right for both of you. If you have questions or need support, always consult your pediatrician or a certified breastfeeding consultant near by.

For parents in Gujarat, support is close to home—Apple Children Hospital offers guidance from a trusted breastfeeding expert in Ahmedabad to help you at every stage.

Trust yourself, seek help when needed, and take each step with confidence.