The simplicity of one food on the menu, day in and day out, until the baby is 6 months old is appealing: no bottles, no formula expense, no sterilizing, etc. Adding cow's milk or solids before six months may over-feed the child and contribute to adult obesity as well as coronary artery disease and high blood pressure in later life. At about six months babies can turn away from food once they are full and prevent overfeeding. Researchers believe certain food allergies may be caused by early introduction of food diversity.

There are supplements that are sometimes recommended. Sunlight on the skin produces vitamin D, which aids in the building of strong teeth and bones. Babies may need additional vitamin D, depending on climate and skin tone.

Fluoride helps in forming decay resistant teeth and some pediatrician give this as a supplement, especially in areas where drinking water is not fluoridated. Iron supplementation may also be needed because this can be in short supply in some women's breast milk. Iron is required to form red blood cells and muscles.

The only other supplement that need be considered before six months is water. Breast milk is 80 percent water, but babies that are ill with fever or diarrhea may sweat or stool enough fluid away that additional water must be given to prevent dehydration. Six to eight wet diapers are a general indicator for hydration.

If needed, formula can be used safely to supplement breastfeeding. This is best done once the breastfeeding is well established so the mothers milk supply will not be decreased. After breastfeeding, a bottle is a poor test for hunger. An infant will suck up a few more calories even if they are full. Babies love to suck! Supplementing breastfeeding with any calories-containing substance is, in general, leading in the direction of discontinuation of breastfeeding. This begs the question: When should one stop breastfeeding?

That is a complex question in this complex society. The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for six months to a year, if possible. Most authorities would agree that breastfeeding for even a month is better than not at all. Returning to work is the most common reason I see for going to bottle feeding. Mom can't always be around when the baby is hungry if she's at work. It can be possible, though not necessarily easy, to schedule breast pumping and storage to allow a working mom to continue breastfeeding. (See my breastfeeding with work handout on this site).

Milk will last up to two days in a good refrigerator and much longer in a good freezer. Plastic stores natural milk better than glass because of doesn't reduce the infection fighting white blood cells from the milk. So when to quit, or for that matter whether to start, is an individual's choice. Counsel with your doctor, consider your situation, weigh the advantages and disadvantages and then decide.