The length of time that one breastfeeds their child can depend on a wide variety of factors.
While many of these influences will come into play, ultimately it will be the mother's desire and interest to breastfeed that will dictate the duration of feeding.
Influences may include- Mother's Age; Younger mums are less likely to breastfeed, and if they do it is generally for a shorter amount of time.
This could be due to the lack of confidence when feeding, the fear of losing their figure and the 'loss' of one of their sexual objects or it's simply because it may not be cool among their peers.
Family; When the people around you, particularly your partner and your parents, support breastfeeding, it is likely that you will continue it longer.
In contrast, if your husband or mothers, in particular, are not supportive (particularly as the baby gets older) one may cease breastfeeding earlier.
Friends; Again you may be influenced by the people around you, particularly close friends.
If they breastfeed, you will instantly have a support network around you and it may assist you in wanting to breastfeed longer.
Mother and Baby Combination; Some Mums and babies find breastfeeding fairly easy, others struggle to properly attach.
Sometimes it's breast size or shape,-sometimes it's the baby's attachment.
Often perseverance is required for breastfeeding to 'work'.
Socioeconomic status; Women of a low socioeconomic are less likely to breastfeed, and if they choose to, it's for a shorter length of time.
This may be due to a limited lifestyle changes to accommodate breastfeeding, a lack of support within the family and in the work place.
Work; Women who return to work while their baby is still young, tend to breastfeed for a shorter length of time.
Again, this will be dependent on the support given from family and within the work place.
Ideally your baby would be brought to you at work for feeding.
Expressing is the other option to make this possible.
Smoking; Women who smoke are less likely to breastfeed, and if they choose to, it's for a shorter time.
This may be because of the time taken smoking and the difficulty in making a lifestyle change to incorporate breastfeeding.
Self Confidence; Self confidence, especially of the body, may impact how long a mother feeds for.
This will effect feeding, particularly if they do not feel confident enough to breastfeed in public.
Wearing a breastfeeding top can help alleviate this lack of confidence.
Pregnancy; If a woman becomes pregnant again while nursing, they often stop breastfeeding earlier.
While this is not necessary as the unborn child will always get priority, many mothers (family and friends included) think they need to.
Health; Some woman need to be medicated for conditions, such as depression, that are not suitable to take while nursing.
Ceasing their medication for the short term and breastfeeding their newborn baby may be an option, but always chat with a doctor before doing this.
Thus, sometimes the mother's health can dictate the duration of breastfeeding.
As you can see, the length of time that a mum breastfeeds their child can depend on a wide variety of factors from their age, whether they smoke, through to their level of self confidence.
The impact of these influences on the duration of breastfeeding will ultimately come down to how strong the mother's desire and interest is to breastfeed.