Serena asked, our readers responded. The WHO recommends breastfeeding from 6 to 24 months, and our readers thought they'd throw in their advice as well.
We recently published an article titled Serena Williams wants to know when to stop breastfeeding after she tweeted that she gets emotional thinking about stopping breastfeeding little 3-month-old Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. She tweeted "How long did you breastfeed?" and Twitter users naturally swooped in with a comment or two. And while everyone had varying responses, the general consensus was that it was entirely up to the mom, even though it won't necessarily be an easy decision for her to make.
Our readers similarly chimed in after we published the story and had a few opinions of their own.
Lydia continues, "It is the bond between mother and daughter. Your particular circumstances must determine the period. My own experience was the longer I breastfed the better my relationship with my kids were in later life."
While we're not so sure about the taste changing (but hey, we've never actually done the research), it's true that a mother with high levels of anxiety's milk may contain the stress hormone cortisol, which may transfer to the baby.
Also read: Is breastfeeding older children wrong?
To set the record straight, The Department of Health and World Health Organisation recommend you feed your baby breastmilk and nothing else for the first 6 months of life, because the milk contains all the nutrients the baby needs, boosts their immune system, and doesn't overload their still immature digestive systems. Thereafter a mother should start introducing appropriate foods while continuing to breastfeed up to 2 years – or more.
That being said, every mother is different, just as every child is. So while this is what is recommended, the best advice we can give is that you do whatever is best for your family. If things didn't work out this way, don't feel guilty or depressed. You're still doing the best you can for your baby! If you're struggling right now, get a lactation consultant to help you, it may just get easier.
But yes, Serena certainly has made a beautiful baby and we hope to see plenty more little tennis superstars!
How long do you feel a mother should breastfeed for? Tell us by emailing to chatback@parent24.com and we may publish your comments.