Breastfeeding

Benefits of Breastfeeding

• Breastfeeding can prevent approximately 820,000 deaths of children under the age of five annually.
• It decreases the risk of respiratory tract infections, ear infections, SIDS, and diarrhea in babies.
• Breastfeeding may lower the risks of asthma, food allergies, and diabetes.
• It can improve cognitive development and decrease the risk of obesity in adulthood.
• Mothers who breastfeed have less blood loss following delivery, better contraction of the uterus, and a decreased risk of postpartum depression.

Breastfeeding and Long-term Health

• Breastfeeding delays the return of menstruation and, in some cases, fertility.
• It decreases the risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis in mothers.
• Breastfeeding is less expensive than infant formula.
• It may cause manageable symptoms such as vaginal dryness, cramping, and nipple pain.
• Feedings may last 30-60 minutes each initially, but the duration may shorten as milk supply increases.

Breastfeeding Physiology

• Breast development starts during puberty, and the size of the breast does not affect breastfeeding capability.
• Milk production occurs in three stages: during pregnancy, after birth triggering the milk to come in, and gradually over several weeks.
• Lactation may also be induced with hormone therapy and nipple stimulation.
• Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin play a role in milk production.
• Physiological changes in pregnancy prepare the breast for lactation.

Breast Milk Composition

• Breast milk can be categorized into nutritional content and bioactive content.
• Nutritional content includes optimal balance of fat, sugar, water, and protein.
• Factors like gestational age and maternal age can influence the nutritional makeup of breast milk.
• Colostrum is the first type of milk produced, rich in protein and vitamins.
• Transitional milk is produced during the transition from colostrum to mature breast milk.

Breastfeeding Process and Recommendations

• Initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth.
• Uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding should continue for at least one hour after birth.
• Kangaroo care or the golden hour encourages instinctual breastfeeding behavior.
• Skin-to-skin contact is important even after Cesarean surgery.
• Babies naturally follow a process called breast crawl to initiate breastfeeding.
• Numerous health organizations recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months following birth.
• Exclusive breastfeeding means no supplementation of any type except for vitamins, minerals, and medications.
• After solids are introduced, continued breastfeeding is recommended.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding until at least 12 months.
• The World Health Organization recommends frequent, on-demand breastfeeding until two years of age or beyond.

Breastfeeding Data Sources