Breast milk is believed to be the best form of nutrition for neonates and infants. The properties of human milk facilitate the transition of life from in utero to ex utero. This dynamic fluid provides a various array of bioactive substances to the developing infant during vital times of brain, immune, and tum development. The clinician must be familiar with how the mammary gland produces human milk and how its properties nourish and protect the breastfeeding infant.

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Both the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and the Yank Academy of Pediatrics ( AAP ) advocate exclusive breastfeeding for the first half a year of life and then breastfeeding up to 2 years or more ( WHO ) or at least one year of breastfeeding in total (AAP). Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life “provides continuing defense against gut rot and respiration tract infection” that are more common in babies fed formula.

Breastfeeding is a cheap way of feeding an infant, and supplies the best nourishment for a kid at a little nutrient cost to the ma. Frequent and exclusive breastfeeding can delay the return of fertility thru lactational amenorrhea, though breastfeeding is an imperfect way of contraception. Breastfeeding is possible throughout pregnancy, but often milk production will be reduced at some point.

Breastfeeding releases oxytocin and prolactin, hormones that relax the mother and make her feel more nurturing toward her baby. Oxytocin is similar to pitocin, a man-made hormone used to make the uterus contract.

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