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If you are an expecting or new mother, you are probably finding yourself wondering about the benefits of breastfeeding, the required—or suggested—length of time for breastfeeding your baby, as well as about storage options and solutions. In this amalgamation of information, one thing is for sure: the decision on whether to breastfeed or not, and for how long, is to be made between you and your baby.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, exclusive breastfeeding should take place for six months and continue after solid foods are introduced at least until one year of age. The World Health Organization extends this even further, recommending breastfeeding until two years old or even longer. As far as the beginning of breastfeeding is concerned, both AAP and WHO suggest as early as one hour after birth.

Benefits of breastfeeding

• Important Nutrition and Antibodies: In the first days after birth, you will produce a thick and yellowish fluid high in protein and low in sugar, full of beneficial compounds, colostrum. It is the ideal milk for a newborn’s digestive tract and as the baby grows, your breasts produce more and more milk. Additionally, it contains high amounts of immunoglobulin and other antibodies which help your baby fight off viruses and bacteria. Formula does not provide antibody protection.

• Reducing Disease Risk and Promoting Healthy Weight: Because of the existence of antibodies, breast milk helps prevent most common diseases that affect babies, such as ear and respiratory infections, colds, gut infections and intestinal tissue damage, bowel diseases, and even SIDS, diabetes and childhood leukemia. Since breastmilk promotes the development of different gut bacteria, it also helps prevent obesity and weight gain. A bonus to that is that babies self-regulate their milk intake when breastfeeding, so they are more likely to develop healthy eating habits.

Keep in mind that there are benefits to breastfeeding for mothers as well, linked to lower chances of contracting diseases, helping your uterus contract, as well as burning more calories and helping you lose weight after pregnancy. Probably the most interesting of all is that breastfeeding can tremendously help new mothers with post-partum depression.

Storing and Handling

Before handling breast milk, make sure you thoroughly wash and sanitize your hands. If using a pump to express milk, ensure it is clean and replace any tubing that may seem moldy or suspiciously unclean.

Freshly expressed breast milk should be stored in either breast milk storage bags, or food-grade containers with tight fitting lids. Avoid BPA-containing bottles. Store the milk at room temperature for four hours or less or keep it in the refrigerator for up to four days. Though you can keep it in the freezer indefinitely, it is suggested that you store it for up to six months for best use but 12 months is also acceptable.