The World Health Organization and UNICEF have recommended for a decade that mothers breastfeed for at least two years. But most US women who nurse stop before their baby is six months old Few don’t start at all.

Breast milk contains antibodies that help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. Breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of having asthma or allergies. Plus, babies who are breastfed exclusively for the first 6 months, without any formula, have fewer ear infections, respiratory illnesses, and bouts of diarrhea.

Energy estimates in kcal/100mL range from 65 to 70 for human milk, 66-68 forcow’s milk formula, and 66 for goat’s milk formula. In conclusion, there really isn’t any formula that is closest to the breastmilk made by human mothers.

It is up to you and your baby to decide when the time is right. The World Health Organization recommends that all babies be exclusively breastfed for six months, then gradually introduced to appropriate family foods after six months while continuing to breastfeed for two years or beyond.

Foods to avoid while breastfeeding

1. chocolate.
2. spices (cinnamon, garlic, curry, chili pepper)
3. citrus fruits and their juices, like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit.
4. strawberries.
5. kiwifruit.
6. pineapple.
7. the “gassy” veggies (onion, cabbage, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, and peppers)
8. fruits with a laxative effect, such as cherries and prunes.
9. Alcoholic beverages

Foods that help increase your breast milk supply:

• Oatmeal by itself is not the most flavorful food out there, but you can always spice it up by adding different fruits or blend in some cinnamon or honey.
• Spinach.
• Garlic
• Brewer’s Yeast.
• Fenugreek
• Apricots

Health experts believe breast milk is the best nutritional choice for infants. But breastfeeding may not be possible for all women. … For moms who can’t breastfeed or who decide not to, infant formula is a healthy alternative. Formula provides babies with the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.

It provides natural antibodies that help your baby resist illnesses, such as ear infections. It’s usually more easily digested than formula. So breastfed babies are often less constipated and gassy.

It’s perfectly possible to combine breastfeeding with bottle feeding using formula milk or expressed breastmilk. If you can, wait until your baby’s at least eight weeks old. Combining breast and bottle sooner than this may affect your milk supply.

Breastfeed exclusively for the first few weeks to establish your milk supply and ensure your baby is feeding well before introducing a bottle. … If you can’t pump as often as you like, you can always supplement your breastfeeding routine with formula.

Note: Applicable only post 6 months when the baby starts solids.

Practical tips for night-weaning your baby

1. Start the weaning process slowly and gradually. …
2. Make sure your baby gets plenty to eat throughout the day. …
3. Offer extra feedings in the evening. …
4. Avoid night-weaning during times of transition. …
5. Have your partner comfort your baby when she cries at night.

Susan E.C. Sorensen, a pediatrician in Reno, Nevada, explains that by the time they’re this age, most babies can sleep comfortably for at least six hours without waking up to eat. Even if you don’t mind getting up at night to feed your baby, it’s a good idea to wean him off nighttime feedings around the 6-month marker.

Newborns should be nursed anytime they cue hunger, but at least every 2 hours during the day and at least once during the night. Once your baby has established a good weight gain pattern (at least 4 ounces per week, for babies under 4 months), you can stop waking baby to nurse and let him set his own pattern.