Breastfeeding

By: Alternix

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 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.

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 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.

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.

Reference	URL
Glossary	https://www.alternix.com/blogs/glossary-of-terms/breastfeeding
Wikipedia	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breastfeeding
Wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q174876
Knowledge Graph	https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/0hb2r