Breastfeeding for 6 months vs. 1 year or longer

Lactation Consultant Jennifer Davidson, IBCLC, shares advice for breastfeeding mothers on how to decide how long to breastfeed your child for
Breastfeeding for 6 Months vs 1 Year or Longer
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Breastfeeding for 6 months vs. 1 year or longer

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The question, "How long to breastfeed?" is a very personal one. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests a year because we know that breast milk is the food of choice for the first year. Babies do not digest solid foods well, so they start solids usually about after 6 months but aren't getting much nutrition until after a year. The World Health Organization suggests two years or more. And I like to tell moms to go at least a year if they can and if they enjoy it, and then after that it's really up to them to really tune into what feels right to them. It should be a mutually satisfying experience.

Lactation Consultant Jennifer Davidson, IBCLC, shares advice for breastfeeding mothers on how to decide how long to breastfeed your child for

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Jennifer Davidson, RN, BSC, IBCLC

RN & Lactation Consultant

Jennifer Davidson, RN, BSN, IBCLC, earned her AA degree in early childhood education and taught preschool for two years. She returned to college and received a bachelor's degree in Nursing. After completing school, she worked as a pediatric nurse at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for ten years. During this time she got married and gave birth to a beautiful son who changed her life. Jennifer realized she did not want to return to the same long hours that would take her away from her family. When Jennifer was offered a part-time job as an RN at the progressive pediatric office of Dr. Jay Gordon and Linda Nussbaum in Santa Monica, she accepted it and has been there for 18 years.

Somewhere after birthing and nursing another wonderful son, Jennifer discovered a new passion and began helping other mothers with breastfeeding problems. She completed the extensive training to become a lactation consultant and for the last eight years has been the breastfeeding specialist in the pediatric office. Jennifer has the wonderful opportunity of following women from their pregnancy throughout their breastfeeding journey. She is able to intimately know the women and their stories. Most important, Jennifer learns with the women how best to draw out their own knowledge in creating a successful breastfeeding experience. Repeatedly she has found that helping a woman trust her own instincts builds the most confidence and leads to the most success.

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