Breastfeeding gives your baby so many essential benefits, but that does not stop after six months. Some moms would think of ending their breastfeeding as soon as the little one starts eating solid foods. There are so many more reasons to keep going, so let's see what are the benefits of breastfeeding after 6 months.
What are the Benefits of Breastfeeding After 6 Months?
Breastfeeding, even after 6 months, is very effective both to the baby and mom. Here are the benefits of breastfeeding after 6 months:
- Supports Digestion of Solid Foods
As your child starts on solid foods, breast milk will continue to help your child digest new foods while being sure balanced nutrients are at the forefront for up to 12 months.
- Introduces Wider Acceptance of Flavors
The changing flavors of breast milk, as relative to your diet, introduce your baby to so many flavors. This could make them more willing to accept a broader variety of solid foods.
- Helps Relieve Teething Pain
Breastfeeding still comforts the baby in teething processes while soothing sore gums, providing an experience that your baby would even appreciate when your baby goes through the phase of disliking solid foods for a few days.
- Continues to Enhance Immune System
Even in the case of 6 months, the breastmilk is high with antibodies and other immune-related properties that help keep your baby safe from all diseases as your baby becomes adventurous and interaction-prone with their environment.
- Still Highly Nutritive
Apart from that, breastmilk is still a wholesome source of nutrients for an infant, even after two years. For this period, this still constitutes a significant part of the baby's calorie, protein, calcium, and other vitamins consumption, which in turn enables its progressive growth and development.
- Limits Risk of Obesity
Breast-fed infants have better controls over their appetite and their metabolism that work for the minimization of the risk of obesity in the case of childhood obesity when the children grow.
- Aids Cognitive and Brain Development
The fatty acids and essential nutrients in breast milk play a very crucial role in brain development, which can augment learning and memory even way past the first year.
- Prevents Allergic Diseases and Chronic Illness
Sustained breastfeeding prevents allergies, asthma, and other chronic diseases like diabetes by helping in the development of a stronger immune system.
- Increases the Chances of Infection Resistance
Beyond 6 months of breastfeeding, the risk of ear infections, respiratory problems, and gastrointestinal diseases is reduced because breast milk continues to offer antimicrobial protection.
- Boosts Mother-Baby Bond
It augments the emotional bonding and attachment from the mother-baby perspective and provides a special bonding time that, as she gets older, it will become a source of comfort and security.
- Promotes Healthy Weights in Mothers
There is continued calorie burn by the body while milk continues to be produced, hence a good weight for a breastfeeding mother after 6 months.
- Reduced Chances of Breast and Ovarian Cancer
The chances of developing breast and ovarian cancers in mothers are reduced when breastfeeding lasts for a long time. It is, therefore, an extended period of health benefit.
- Good Sleep Patterns
This eliminates sleep disorders as good sleep patterns can be maintained during the long breastfeeding period. Finally, breastfeeding is also believed to affect the sleep pattern of your baby, especially with the rise and fall of their growth spurt and teething, to provide comfort that improves sleep for the mother as well.
- Personal Satisfaction and Emotional Fulfillment
Prolactin released during lactation reinforces feelings of deep fulfillment for mothers, who experience a "feel-good" connection that strengthens their emotional well-being.
Cautions and Tips for Breastfeeding After 6 Months
As your baby grows and gets used to solids, breastfeeding is now more challenging and also a call for necessary adjustments. You need to ensure your baby gets the correct composition of nutrients while still addressing changes in his or her needs compared to your milk supply. Here are some helpful tips and cautions about breastfeeding after 6 months:
- Start by gradually introducing your baby to supplementary foods:
As you introduce solids to your baby, breastmilk should remain the primary nutrition source until the end of your baby's first year. Introduce pureed vegetables, fruits, and grains that are high in iron while continuing to nurse.
Continue breastfeeding without interruption because your baby may still continue nursing 6-8 times a day even though he/ she is on solids. Be watchful for cues in order to maintain an appropriate balance of breastfeeding along with solid food intake.
- Combine Work:
Complementary breastfeeding with pumping is very helpful to working mommies or those who spend time away from their baby, as this will help in maintaining your milk supply and ensure the baby receives breast milk even when you're not around. It is ideal for mothers who continue breastfeeding until they are 6 months since most return to work at this point. The Momcozy M9, a free-hand and portable design, is easy to pump both at work or while still juggling a busy schedule. With the assistance of the M9 breast pump, mothers can now pump at work and also directly breastfeed babies at home, allowing babies to enjoy all the benefits of breast milk. The Momcozy M9 is perfect for maintaining milk supply with its customization features and powerful suction, but it's so convenient to work with for working mothers.
- Hydrate and Eat
Breastfeeding beyond 6 months requires lots of energy. So, it is the perfect time to focus on your diet and hydration and how they support your milk supply and your general health in general.
For example, after three months onwards, weigh and track his or her growth for well-balanced nutrition coming from breastmilk and solids.
- Prevent Stagnant Milk Duct
He or she now doesn't nurse as often because the infant's diet has changed. Squeeze those breasts frequently using the bottle or pumping, lest he or she suffer discomfort or get some form of mastitis to avoid.
- Be Aware of the Teething Period
He or she may drool and have a higher risk of getting ear infections, an increase in fever with decreased appetite, and rash due to an outbreak of teething. The irritable baby or one who rejects breastfeeding at the breast temporarily during teething periods; use feeding to comfort the baby as it can help to soothe the gums, and be flexible about the interruption of feeds.
- Maintain Iron Levels
For those mothers who will continue breastfeeding beyond 6 months, their babies are likely to need supplemental iron from other sources. Discuss with your pediatrician whether it is the right time to introduce iron foods and/or supplements.
- Change The Breastfeeding Positions
As she becomes more mobile, she might get distracted or might prefer different breastfeeding positions, so adjust to that so that it doesn't become uncomfortable or less productive.
- Weaning at Your Own Pace
Weaning isn't something you must hurry unless you really want it. It's alright to continue with breastfeeding as long as it feels right for you and your baby since the benefits far outlast one year.
Is it Normal to Still Have Milk 6 Months After Breastfeeding?
Yes, it's normal to still have some breast milk even 6 months after you stop breastfeeding. Some bodies take time to stop completely in making milk. Small amounts of milk may continue for months or even years, and typically, there is nothing to worry about unless you are in pain or other symptoms.
Does Breast Milk Supply Decrease After 6 Months?
Yes, supply does decrease at 6 months, but it would depend on the frequency your baby nurses or how many times you pump. Babies on solid food tend not to nurse as much throughout the day, so thereby, a decrease in milk in your body could occur. If you want your baby to continue nursing, your body will continue producing milk.
Should I Start Introducing Solid Foods at 6 Months?
Most babies indeed begin to consume solid foods at around 6 months. They are still on breast milk or formula at this stage, but introducing pureed vegetables, fruits, and cereals allows them to be accustomed to new tastes and textures.
Should I Continue to Breastfeed Once My Baby Starts Eating Solid Foods?
Yes, you should continue breastfeeding after introducing solids. Even with the introduction of solid foods, breast milk will remain an essential source of nutrition and protection against disease. The health experts even suggest for at least the first year of life after introducing the solids.
What Are the Negative Effects of Breastfeeding for Too Long?
Largely, there are no adverse health effects from prolonged breastfeeding. In fact, the primary issues may be social pressures or challenges in weaning the child off breastfeeding should the child become very dependent on the activity. But if you and your child are fine with it, long-term breastfeeding is entirely acceptable.
Conclusion
The reason to continue breastfeeding after six months is that your baby will receive all the main nutrients they require while their immunity system will be strengthened to support overall growth. It's not feeding; it is about giving a great start in life. Strong bonding increases in this process, which makes keeping babies on for nursing an important and good decision for both you and your baby.
