freezing is recommended.
6. For longer storage, freeze breastmilk. Frozen milk may be stored in a
refrigerator freezer for six months or in a deep freeze for up to twelve months.
When freezing, fill the container only ? full to allow room for expansion.
Never refreeze breastmilk!
Weaning
Around the world, babies are breastfed an average of two to three years.
There is, however, no perfect time to wean. Weaning is an individual decision
for each mother and baby. Most babies will not show signs of wanting to wean
before eight to nine months at the earliest. The American Academy of Pediatrics
recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months, gradually
introducing new foods after that time. It is recommended that breastfeeding
continue for at least twelve months, and thereafter as long as mutually desired.
When a mother or her baby decide to wean, it should be done gradually to prevent
the discomfort of engorgement and to help maintain the baby?s sense of
security. Dropping one feeding every few days and replacing it with formula of
cow?s milk (depending on the age of the baby), will allow the mother?s
breasts to adjust to the decreased demand in comfort. Most mothers drop the late
night or early feeding last since this feeding is often the special snuggle time
with the baby.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics, Work Group on Breastfeeding; 1997,
Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk, Journal of Pediatrics, Volume 100, pp.
1035-1039
Crummette, B.D., and Munton, M.T.; 1980, Mothers? Decision about Infant
Nutrition, Pediatric Nursing, 6:16
Evans, H.E., and Glass, L.; 1979, Breastfeeding: Advantages and Potential
Problems, Pediatric Analysis, 8:110
Health Answers Medical Reference Library ? Breast milk @
www.healthanswers.com/MedEnc
Klaus, M.H., and Kennell, J.H.; 1982, Parent ? Infant Bonding, 2nd edition,
St. Louis: The C.V. Mosby Company
Lawrence, R.A.; 1980, Breastfeeding, St. Louis: The C.V. Mosby Company
Palma, P.A., and Adock, E.W.; 1981, Human Milk and Breastfeeding, American
Family Physician, 24:173
Ross, L.; 1981, Weaning Practices, J. Nurse ? Midwifery, 26(1): 9-14
Whaley, L.F., and Wong, D.L.; 1979, Nursing of Infants and Children, St.
Louis: The C.V. Mosby Company