Editing Amazon river dolphin (section)

===Reproduction===
Breeding is seasonal, and births occur between May and June. The period of birthing coincides with the flood season, and this may provide an advantage because the females and their offspring remain in flooded areas longer than males. As the water level begins to decrease, the density of food sources in flooded areas increases due to loss of space, providing enough energy for infants to meet the high demands required for growth. Gestation is estimated to be around eleven months and captive births take 4 to 5 hours. At birth, calves are {{convert|80|cm|in}} long and in captivity have registered a growth of {{convert|0.21|m|ft}} per year. Lactation takes about a year. The interval between births is estimated between 15 and 36 months, and the young dolphins are thought to become independent within two to three years.<ref name=bebej/>

The relatively long duration of breastfeeding and parenting suggests a high level of parental care. Most couples observed in their natural environment consist of a female and her calf. This suggests that long periods of parental care contribute to learning and development of the young.<ref name=bebej/>