Breastfeeding is the healthiest choice. I used to wonder why formula milk is expensive and the cost gets lesser as the child ages. Just recently I learned from a friend who works from a well known formula milk manufacturer that the reason is that the government promotes breastfeeding. It was my personal decision though to breastfeed my child as long as it takes. It was not easy to commit breastfeeding but the benefits for my baby were so much more than I expected. She rarely got sick and when she did get sick it was only mild. It saved me and my husband from emotional and financial stress we could have had if I did not commit to breastfeeding.

It is indeed convenient to feed babies with formula milk so some opt to wean their babies. However, there is such a thing as premature weaning. It really baffles me that there are some health professionals who believe that there is no benefit from breast milk to babies after they are 6 months old. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for at least two years. Infants who are weaned prematurely often suffer an increased rate of serious illness. So don't give up on nursing just because other people think it's embarrassing, or your relatives keep on asking you when you're going to wean. Remember that it's your child and it's your business alone and not theirs. The child should decide when is the right time to wean.

There are also ways to breastfeed a baby as long as possible. Breast milk should be the primary food of your baby until the baby is 1 year old. When babies are fed with other foods they will tend to lessen their liking for breast milk. Also, limit giving juice to your baby. It is sweet so the baby will quickly like it.