Maternal milk represents the best nourishment for newborns, because it provides all the nutrients they need in the first phase of their life, as for example certain polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, assimilable iron. Besides, it contains biologically and immunologically active substances that are not found in the artificial substitutes and that instead are fundamental both to protect the child from possible bacterial and viral infections, both to favor his/her intestinal development.
For this reason all children should exclusively be breastfed for the first six months of their life (26 weeks). According to the indications of the World Health Organization, of Unicef and of European Union, breastfeeding should continue then for two years and over, according to the desire of the mother and the child.
According to the definition of WHO, breastfeeding can be:
- exclusive nursing: only maternal milk
- predominant nursing: maternal milk + non nourishing liquids
- complementary nursing: maternal milk + artificial milk.
How to facilitate breastfeeding
First of all, it is important that since the first minutes mother and child remain together,
doing so that the so-called "skin-to-skin" contact is established: the mother's body helps the child to maintain a suitable temperature (very important for very small or premature children, but also for healthy babies been born to term) and the child is less stressed, calmer and has more regular breath and heart pulse. The first contact with the breast should happen within a hour from the birth, leaving the mother and the child, possibly together with the dad, free to spontaneously interact, without external interferences.
Other important recommendations are:
- nurse the baby on request, without following rigid schedules
- check the position of the baby and that he/she is attached to the breast, avoiding to detach him/her before he/she has finished
- do not give other liquids to the child before breastfeeding; similarly, do not give the baby artificial milk or other kinds of food, water, sugar or sweetened water between two feeds (in the first six months, in fact, when the baby is thirsty, he takes the "first milk", that is less fat and has more water and sugars, while when he is hungry he stays attached for a longer time, up to also take "the last milk", that has much more fats. For this reason, often in the warm months the feeds are more brief and frequent).
- avoid the use of artificial teats, baby bottle and pacifiers, especially in the first months of life
- do not wash the breast after every feed and avoid using creams or ointments during nursing; the normal hygiene of the mother is sufficient and the breast has glands that provide a natural disinfection of the area.
The advantages for the baby
It is universally agreed that breastfeeding:
- reduces the incidence and the duration of gastroenteritis
- protects from respiratory infections
- reduces the risk to develop allergies
- improves sight and the overall development
- improves the intestinal development and it reduces the risk of occlusions
- Some studies, have also theorized that maternal milk can also contribute to reduce the risk of numerous diseases:
- numerous infections (some forms of enterocolitis , meningitis, botulism and infections of the urinary system)
- autoimmune diseases, as for example diabetes type 1 and type 2
- sudden death syndrome of the baby (Sids)
- obesity in the adult life.
The advantages for the mother
Also for the mother the nursing at the breast has some positive relapses:
- the earlier it starts, the quicker the resumption from the birth and the involution of the uterus and it reduces the risk of hemorrhage and mortality
- it reduces the loss of blood, contributing so to maintain the balance of the iron
- it prolongs the period of sterility after birth
- it favors the loss of weight and the recovery of the ideal body weight
- it reduces the risk of breast tumor before the menopause. Some studies, have theorized besides, that maternal milk can also contribute to reduce the risk of ovary tumor and of osteoporosis.
Possible impediments
Based on the current knowledge, the cases in which breastfeeding should be avoided are
rather particular and limited. In general, most medicines that are prescribed not after a pregnancy do not interfere with the nursing. In every case, it is recommended to clarify well with your own physician, if during a specific therapy, nursing should be suspended.
Translated from an original text by: EpiCentro, website of the National Center of Epidemiology, Supervision and Promotion of Health, reporting to the Higher Health Institute of Italy.